Foyle Foundation

The Foyle Foundation is a UK-based independent grant-making trust established in 2000 to fulfill the charitable legacy of Christina Foyle, daughter of Foyles bookshop co-founder William Foyle. Its core mission centers on advancing public benefit through sustaining the arts, promoting learning—especially via libraries, museums, and special educational needs—and supporting grassroots community activities for vulnerable populations. Guided by values of strategic, high-impact philanthropy, the Foundation pursues a time-limited "spend-down" strategy, distributing over £180 million to more than 7,000 organizations by its planned closure in December 2025, prioritizing enduring benefits over perpetual funding.

It funds arts initiatives (theatres, galleries, music organizations like Band on the Wall), learning projects (museums, archives, state school libraries, literacy, and SEN programs), and essential services from small local charities aiding the young, elderly, disabled, or disadvantaged. Support spans two schemes: the Main Grants Scheme for larger-scale arts and learning projects, and the Small Grants Scheme for grassroots efforts, covering project funding, core costs, essential equipment, and small-scale capital grants.

Eligible applicants are exclusively UK-registered charities operating UK-wide (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), split by size: Main Grants for those with over £150,000 annual income; Small Grants for under £150,000. However, all schemes are now permanently closed to new applications following the final deadline of 31 January 2025; prior rolling applications were submitted online via a portal account, with decisions in up to four months. Typical grants range from £2,000–£10,000 (Small) to £10,000–£50,000 (Main, max £75,000).

Distinctive for its transparency, robust governance by expert trustees, and national legacy focus, the Foundation excludes multi-year grants, retrospective funding, feasibility studies, unsolicited applications post-deadline, and non-UK charities, emphasizing sustainable, strategic impact in arts, education, and community resilience.