Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, established in 1961 by Ian Fairbairn in memory of his wife, is one of the UK's largest independent funders, dedicated to unlocking long-term systemic change for a better society through three core aims: improving the natural world, securing a fairer future, and nurturing creative and confident communities. Rooted in values of equity, inclusion, partnership, climate action, and openness, it champions ambitious charities and social enterprises with innovative ideas in underfunded areas, prioritizing unrestricted and multi-year grants to foster transformative impact over short-term projects.

It funds environmental efforts like biodiversity conservation, community energy, sustainable food, and climate resilience; social equity initiatives addressing inequality, youth support, criminal justice reform, refugee protection, and disadvantaged communities; and arts programs promoting equitable access, museums, creative practitioners, and youth-led creativity. Beneficiaries include young people, marginalised groups, local communities, and those vulnerable to environmental or social harms, with support for core costs, projects, social investment, and delegated schemes like the Communities and Collections Fund for museum-community DEI work.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities or social enterprises operating anywhere in the UK, with no strict income thresholds but a preference for organisations where funding amplifies impact, including grassroots and smaller entities paying the Real Living Wage. Applications are unsolicited via a rolling three-stage process: 300-word EOI online, followed by an assessment call and full proposal if shortlisted, taking up to six months; decisions occur monthly (up to £90k), every six weeks (up to £250k), or six times yearly (larger). Typical grants start at £30,000 with no upper limit, often £40,000–£100,000+ over 3–5 years.

Distinctive for its trust-based approach, co-creation, funder collaborations, 360Giving transparency, net zero commitment by 2040, and risk-taking on pioneering work, it rarely excludes but avoids misaligned areas outside its strategic priorities.