Criseren Foundation

The Criseren Foundation, established in 2013 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and the philanthropic arm of the CriSeren Group with roots in venture capital and private equity, drives engaged, partnership-driven philanthropy to empower small and mid-sized UK charities and social enterprises. Its mission focuses on amplifying organizational scope and impact through multi-year relationships blending financial grants with tailored non-financial support, including strategic advice, consultancy, governance guidance, and capacity-building. Led by Director Chris Llewellyn and a proactive board, it prioritizes proven social purpose organizations at pivotal growth stages, as seen in support for groups like Corali, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), and Little Green Pig, enabling professionalization, strategic reviews, and sustainable scaling without rigid thematic restrictions.

It funds activities strengthening organizational effectiveness, such as unrestricted support, strategic projects, leadership development, and operational enhancements, targeting entities with track records of impact and ambition to expand, typically those with annual incomes below £2 million.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities or social enterprises based and operating UK-wide, with no regional limits or religious restrictions; however, it accepts only invited proposals via proactive outreach, not unsolicited applications. Grants range from £10,000 to £50,000, awarded on a rolling basis without deadlines or formal forms, with decisions tied to trustee meetings and individualized partnership discussions.

Distinctive for its developmental, investment-inspired model—contrasting transactional funding—the Foundation avoids open calls, large organizations, or standalone projects lacking relationship potential, emphasizing long-term collaboration for measurable, legacy-building impact.