← Back to US Funders Directory

Khodorkovsky Foundation

Annual Giving
$15.2M
Success Rate
12%

Khodorkovsky Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $15.2 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $776 million (US entity) / £12.2 million income (UK entity)
  • Decision Time: Unknown (invitation-only process)
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales, Lithuania, Russian diaspora communities
  • Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

Overview

The Khodorkovsky Foundation is a UK-registered charity established in 2003, inspired and endowed with USD 500 million by Russian business leader, former Yukos CEO, and philanthropist Mikhail Khodorkovsky. It is one of the UK's largest charitable organizations focused on advancing education related to Russia and supporting the development of civil society.

The Foundation's mission is to "give young generations of ordinary Russians the educational opportunities, skills and support needed to build and participate in a strong, vibrant and dynamic civil society in Russia." Prior to July 2021, the Foundation operated major programs in Russia, including supporting the Podmoskovny Lyceum boarding school (accommodating 200 socially disadvantaged children) and the Oxford Russia Fund, which provided over 41,000 scholarships to Russian students from 2005 to 2021.

In July 2021, the Russian government designated the Khodorkovsky Foundation an "undesirable organization," forcing the cessation of all operations within Russia. The Foundation now operates in England, Wales, and Lithuania, continuing its mission of supporting Russian civil society and education outside of Russia.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation does not currently operate active public grant programs. Grants are distributed through trustee discretion and established relationships:

  • Civil Society Support: Organizations working on Russian civil society development, democracy, and human rights
  • Educational Initiatives: Support for academic institutions and student scholarships
  • Documentary and Media Projects: Educational films and documentaries telling stories relevant to Russia
  • Humanitarian Support: Grants in the areas of children/adolescents, culture/art, and humanitarian relief

Known Grant Recipients (2022-2023):

  • Eastern Europe Research Foundation (Lithuania): $2,339,000 (2022), $2,855,000 (2023)

Priority Areas

  • Russian civil society development outside Russia
  • Democracy and human rights advocacy
  • Educational opportunities for Russians
  • Support for Russian diaspora communities
  • Documentary filmmaking with Russian educational relevance

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects operating within Russia (due to "undesirable organization" designation)
  • Organizations without clear connection to Russian civil society or education
  • Unsolicited applications (no public application process)

Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by a Board of five Trustees selected for their expertise in education, investment management, and charity administration. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Board of Trustees:

Mr Alastair Tulloch – A UK solicitor who is passionate about charitable work and involved in numerous grant-giving charities.

Mr Anton Drel – Certified lawyer specializing in human rights litigation in Eastern European courts and the European Court of Human Rights. Represented Mikhail Khodorkovsky as his personal attorney in the YUKOS case (2003-2013). Based in London.

Ms Maria Logan – International lawyer and human rights campaigner. Previously worked at Greenberg Traurig law firm. Joined the campaign for Khodorkovsky's release in 2008 and has subsequently led initiatives supporting Russian civil society.

Mr Pavel Khodorkovsky – President of the Institute of Modern Russia (which he founded to continue his father's work). Son of Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Co-founded Enertiv, a cleantech energy monitoring company, in 2011.

Mr Rupert Caldecott – Over four decades of experience in financial services and investment management. Has served on investment committees of various charitable foundations.

Founder: Mikhail Khodorkovsky – Russian businessman, dissident, former Yukos CEO, founder of Open Russia movement, and former Amnesty International prisoner of conscience. Instrumental in endowing the Foundation with USD 500 million.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Foundation's website explicitly states it is "no longer operating active grant programs" in their traditional form. While the Foundation continues to make significant grants (over $15 million in 2023), these are awarded through:

  • Trustee discretion
  • Pre-existing relationships with organizations
  • Strategic partnerships aligned with the Foundation's mission

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations seeking support should consider:

  1. Direct Contact: Reach out to the trustees via the Foundation's contact email (atulloch@atulloch.com) with a clear explanation of how your work aligns with supporting Russian civil society and education outside Russia.

  2. Institute of Modern Russia Connection: Given that Pavel Khodorkovsky leads both the Foundation and the Institute of Modern Russia (imrussia.org), organizations working in complementary spaces may find opportunities through this related network.

  3. Demonstrate Clear Mission Alignment: Given the sensitive political context and limited scope of current operations, organizations must demonstrate a strong, authentic connection to:

    • Russian civil society development (outside Russia)
    • Educational initiatives for Russian nationals
    • Human rights advocacy related to Russia
    • Democracy promotion

  4. Geographic Considerations: The Foundation now operates primarily through England, Wales, and Lithuania. Organizations based in or working through these jurisdictions may be better positioned.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only nature of grant-making, timelines likely vary by project and relationship.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the Foundation's unique circumstances, potential beneficiaries should consider:

  1. Mission Alignment is Critical: The Foundation has a narrow, defined focus on Russian civil society and education outside Russia. Only organizations with demonstrated, authentic work in this space are likely to receive consideration.

  2. Political Sensitivity: Following designation as an "undesirable organization" by Russia, the Foundation must carefully vet all partnerships. Organizations must have no operational presence in Russia.

  3. Pre-existing Relationships Matter: With $15+ million distributed annually but no public application process, grants flow through established networks. Building authentic relationships over time is essential.

  4. Diaspora Focus: Since the 2021 designation, the Foundation has pivoted to supporting Russian communities outside Russia, particularly in the UK and Lithuania.

  5. Human Rights Credibility: With trustees including multiple human rights lawyers, organizations with strong human rights credentials and credible track records will be viewed favorably.

  6. Long-term Perspective: The Foundation aims to make annual grants of at least 3% of charity funds, suggesting a sustainable, long-term approach rather than one-off funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists – the Foundation awards grants through trustee discretion and established relationships only
  • Highly specialized focus – supports only Russian civil society, education, and related initiatives outside Russia
  • Substantial resources – with $776 million in assets and $15+ million in annual giving, significant funding is available for aligned organizations
  • Political context is crucial – the 2021 "undesirable organization" designation fundamentally changed operations; all Russia-based activities ceased
  • Relationship-based grantmaking – organizations must demonstrate authentic connection to the Foundation's mission and build relationships over time
  • Contact the trustees directly – for exploratory discussions about potential alignment, reach out via atulloch@atulloch.com
  • Consider related networks – the Institute of Modern Russia (led by trustee Pavel Khodorkovsky) may offer complementary opportunities for organizations in this space

References

Accessed December 2025

← Back to US Funders Directory