Dame Alice Owen's Foundation

Dame Alice Owen's Foundation, established in 1613 by philanthropist Dame Alice Owen and stewarded solely by the Worshipful Company of Brewers, is a historic UK grant-making charity dedicated to advancing high-quality education for young people aged 5-18. Its core mission emphasizes equity of opportunity, ambition, and enabling disadvantaged youth to thrive academically and personally, with resources focused primarily on Dame Alice Owen's School in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, and targeted initiatives in the London Borough of Islington. Governed for intergenerational impact through a stable endowment of investments and Islington properties, the Foundation prioritizes long-term strategic support over short-term campaigns.

It funds state education enhancements at the School—including building maintenance, staff, IT infrastructure, extracurriculars, social-emotional support, and enrichment—and Islington projects like music/orchestral training (e.g., Music Education Islington, Music in Secondary Schools Trust), science engagement (Science for Life), sports/resilience (Active Row), and academic interventions (Upward Bound) to boost attainment, participation, and progression for local youth from all backgrounds, especially those at risk of underachievement.

Eligible recipients are UK-registered charities or academic institutions with established reach, such as the School or borough-wide Islington partners; small grassroots groups are not supported, and geographic focus is strictly Potters Bar and Islington—no other areas qualify. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; funding arises from internal decisions and pre-selected partnerships with local authorities, with no public deadlines or open calls.

Typical grants range from £25,000–£100,000 for Islington projects to £100,000–£600,000 annually for the School, covering core costs, capital, and capacity building. Distinctively, it eschews emergency relief, one-off funding, or non-educational activities, standing out for its singular historic focus, substantial resources, and deep ties to specific communities and institutions.