Desmond Foundation

The Desmond Foundation, a UK-registered charity (number 1014352) established in 1992 by entrepreneur Richard Desmond, is dedicated to relieving poverty and sickness—especially among disadvantaged children—and supporting vulnerable communities across England and Wales. Guided by values of compassion, generosity, strategic giving, and hands-on involvement, with Desmond personally selecting and overseeing grants, the Foundation prioritises smaller charities where funds deliver direct, tangible impact, favouring adaptive, relationship-driven philanthropy over rigid criteria.

It primarily funds children and young people's initiatives addressing poverty, sickness, visual impairment, disability, education, and health, alongside support for elderly people, ethnic minorities, and voluntary bodies in compelling cases. Key examples include £2.5 million for The Richard Desmond Children's Eye Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital, Sunshine Coaches for schools via Variety, and grants to Evelina Children's Hospital, World Jewish Relief, and humanitarian aid in Niger. Grant types encompass capital projects (equipment, medical facilities, specialist vehicles), project funding, core costs, and occasional unrestricted or emergency aid.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities operating in or benefiting England and Wales, with a strong preference for smaller organisations (typically under £1 million annual income) demonstrating clear, positive outcomes. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications—funding is invite-only, decided case-by-case at ad hoc trustee meetings with no public deadlines or forms.

Distinctively flexible, it lacks formal exclusions, responding to urgent needs and building sustained partnerships, setting it apart through personalised, high-impact giving that maximises benefits for vulnerable populations rather than following thematic or geographic silos. Typical grants range from £10,000–£50,000, scaling higher for flagship projects.