Denise Coates Foundation

The Denise Coates Foundation, established in 2012 by Denise Coates CBE, founder of bet365, is a major UK philanthropic trust dedicated to driving significant positive change through strategic grantmaking that supports exclusively charitable purposes under English law. With a vision of enduring public benefit, it emphasizes long-term sustainability via substantial reserves, hands-on governance by family trustees, and a proactive approach: identifying promising causes itself rather than relying on open applications. Its ethos prioritizes transformative impact locally in Staffordshire (especially Stoke-on-Trent), nationally, and internationally.

The Foundation funds a broad spectrum of causes, including healthy recreation and sports facilities, advancing health (e.g., medical research, hospices), welfare and social inclusion, community development, arts and culture, education/training (bursaries, scholarships), disaster relief (e.g., Ukraine, Typhoon Haiyan), and poverty alleviation (e.g., Sierra Leone schools). It supports established charities like Oxfam, universities, theatres, and local sports groups through project funding, capital grants for infrastructure, operational support, and research, favoring large-scale, capacity-building initiatives over small or short-term programs.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and academic institutions of medium-to-large scale, capable of delivering substantial projects; while open to any geography, Staffordshire organizations hold priority, with no strict income thresholds but a clear preference for those demonstrating mission alignment and measurable outcomes. Charities submit a letter of introduction by post as an initial expression of interest; selected ones are invited to present detailed proposals to trustees in a multi-stage, rolling process with no fixed deadlines.

Distinctive for its selectivity, multimillion-pound grants (£20,000–£2m+), and focus on capital transformations (e.g., £2.2m for gymnastics facilities), the Foundation avoids unsolicited full applications, routine overheads, or non-charitable activities, setting it apart as a high-impact partner for aligned, ambitious charities.