Accessibility: we have additional accessibility-related support available for applicants where our online application process may be a barrier to applying, including an Access Payment to support you to apply. If you are interested in this support or our application process doesn't work for you, please get in touch by email: funding@esmeefairbairn.org.uk, or phone: 020 7812 3700.
Guidance for completing your Expression of Interest
You'll first be asked for some details about your organisation, the work that you do, your contact details and which of Esmée’s aims and priorities your work matches. You will then have a total of 300 words to tell us about your work by answering the following two questions:
- What would you like Esmée to support? Briefly outline how our funding and support will be used.
- What's the change you are focused on achieving and how is your organisation well placed to deliver it? We're interested in understanding the need your work will address, and the opportunities your organisation or partnership is uniquely placed to take. We will also look at your website to learn about your organisation so use this space to focus on the change you want to achieve in relation to Esmée's priorities/long-term outcomes.
Please note that you will not be able to save the form so if you’re not ready to complete your Expression of Interest, you will need to start again.
Response times
We will get back to you within four weeks about your Expression of Interest.
Are we the right funder for you?
It
is difficult to get funding from Esmée. The majority of people who
apply for our funding are not supported.
We are choosing to focus our funding on work that we believe will deliver the greatest long-term impact and create change for the future. For our grant funding, this means we are making a smaller number of longer-term grants with a more strategic focus, and fewer short-term or small-scale grants.
Before continuing, please check if
we are the right funder for you.
What we don't support:- Organisations
with a regular annual turnover of less than £100,000 (as reflected in the latest set of accounts)*.
- Organisations without at least three trustees or
directors (the majority of whom should not be paid executives).
- Organisations without an asset lock or other general mechanism designed to ensure that the assets, including any profits generated, are used for the benefit of its community or to further its activities and mission.
- Grants
for less than £30,000.
- Work
that is not legally charitable.
- Work
that does not have a direct benefit in the UK.
- Grants
to individuals.
- Capital
costs including building work, renovations, and equipment.
- Academic research
– unless it can demonstrate real potential for
practical outcomes.
- Healthcare
with a clinical basis, including medical research, hospices, counselling and
therapy, arts therapy, education about and treatment for drug and alcohol
misuse.
- Independent education.
- Work
that is primarily the responsibility of statutory authorities.
- The promotion of religion.
* We identify new ideas to support which are at an earlier stage and would not get through our applicant eligibility quiz and contact organisations proactively to apply for this support.
Unusual collaborations and ambitious partnerships which are delivering at scale and involving or engaging a range of charity, public sector or corporate partners.
Work which makes connections across our aims: Our Natural World, A Fairer Future, and Creative, Confident Communities.
Communities or people most affected being involved in campaigning or leading change.
Work which uses a preventative approach.
Work that has practical plans to achieve and sustain change over the long-term.
If you are still not sure if we are the right funder for you, please read our funding guidance.