Blue Thread

Blue Thread is a London-based family foundation established by the Grabiner family, leveraging resources from decades in media and investment sectors. Governed by seven family trustees and a small staff led by an experienced executive director, it drives enduring social change through relational, trust-based grantmaking that fosters stronger, fairer communities for vulnerable groups. Its values—equality of regard, power-sharing, and openness—emphasize enabling grantees over transactional funding, with commitments to minimal bureaucracy, unrestricted support, and core organizational strengthening, as seen in its alignment with IVAR's open and trusting grantmaking movement.

The foundation prioritizes women's safety and empowerment (e.g., survivors of domestic abuse, gender-based violence, and women in the criminal justice system), migrant and refugee rights, disability inclusion, meaningful youth engagement for those facing barriers, and reducing inequalities. It supports established charities delivering proven impact for marginalized women, young people, and migrants, with examples including War Child UK, The Cybersmile Foundation, and Advance—favoring national or regional organizations driving systemic change.

Eligible entities are exclusively UK-registered charities, typically medium-to-large with annual incomes from hundreds of thousands to millions of pounds, operating primarily across England and Wales (vast majority) or occasionally Israel-aligned groups. It does not accept unsolicited applications; trustees and staff proactively invite strategic partners via relationships, with no public deadlines or rounds—decisions arise from monthly reviews and 2–3 annual trustee meetings. Introductory contact via website is possible but non-binding.

Typical grants range £25,000–£150,000 annually (averaging £50,000–£80,000), prioritizing unrestricted, flexible funding for core costs, capacity building, and occasional multi-year awards up to £250,000+. Distinctives include its invite-only, family-led strategy, rejection of short-term restricted projects, and focus on high-impact partners over broad solicitation.