Barbara Ward Children's Foundation

The Barbara Ward Children's Foundation, established in December 2001 by Barbara Irene Ward, is a UK-registered grant-making charity dedicated to transforming the lives of severely disadvantaged children through targeted support for smaller, non-religious charities. Operating without paid staff in a lean, trustee-led model, it has awarded over £11.4 million to more than 450 organisations since inception, guided by values of inclusivity, measurable impact, low administrative overheads, and funding where statutory support is absent. Its responsive, philanthropic approach prioritises practical interventions that enhance life chances, wellbeing, and happiness for children facing serious illness, terminal conditions, underprivilege, special needs, or poverty, with occasional support for mentally handicapped adults.

The Foundation funds initiatives in education, health and wellbeing, holidays, sport, play and leisure, support, care and respite, and poverty relief—covering core costs and projects like respite care, educational inclusion, mental health services, and medical support. Examples include grants to the Brittle Bone Society, Project Harar Ethiopia, and Spinal Muscular Atrophy Support UK, spanning UK-wide efforts and international work in countries like Uganda, Nepal, Kenya, and the Philippines.

Eligible applicants are financially sound, small to medium-sized charities (preferably under £1-2 million annual income) not reliant on statutory funding, including UK-registered and international entities with no geographic restrictions. Applications, accepted unsolicited via postal letter (covering letter, project details, latest accounts and annual report), are reviewed on a rolling basis with no deadlines; decisions may take months and involve site visits. Typical grants range from £1,000 to £15,000 for one-off or time-limited projects, occasionally multi-year.

Distinctively, it excludes religious charities, general running costs unrelated to direct service delivery, and publicly funded organisations, setting it apart as a global, child-focused funder championing overlooked, lean operations for tangible child benefits.