Nurturing ideas and people

Social change often comes about because of the application of good ideas by passionate people. Our founder was an innovator: in his business life and philanthropy, he backed people with good ideas. We want to do this, too.

Individuals in the UK have limited opportunities to access the financial support that is needed to scope and develop ideas to achieve social change. We are interested in backing ideas at the earliest stages of development, particularly from people who may not have much experience of applying for or receiving funding, but merit backing through our Ideas and Pioneers Fund.

Believing that a healthy civic society is one where artists thrive, we also support composers and visual artists to have the freedom to develop creatively and to grow personally and professionally. Our Awards for Artists programme makes ten annual awards of £75,000 with no strings attached – artists are free to use the money in whichever way they decide.