Millby Foundation

The Millby Foundation, a registered charity in England and Wales established in 2011 (originally as The Millby Charitable Trust), operates as a flexible, trustee-led generalist grantmaker with a broad mandate to advance any charitable purposes deemed fit. Governed by four trustees including chair Michelle Yue, whose personal philanthropy emphasizes improving lives of young women and girls, combating exploitation, trafficking, and gender-based violence, the foundation prioritizes values-driven impact on the most marginalized. Its distinctive approach combines absolute trustee discretion for agile, confidential funding—distributing nearly all annual income (£1.39m in 2024)—with a track record of substantial grants to high-profile organizations like The Freedom Fund (anti-slavery) and Acumen (social impact), blending domestic UK support and international development.

It funds a diverse portfolio including projects, general operating costs, unrestricted support, capital initiatives, and strategic efforts for organizations and individuals benefiting the general public, with a practical emphasis on girls and young women facing adversity, anti-trafficking, women's empowerment, and systemic root causes of marginalization. Grants support both responsive opportunities and evolving priorities without a published theory of change.

Eligible entities span small grassroots groups to large established charities, with no formal income thresholds, religious restrictions, or entity types specified; geographic focus is primarily England and Wales but extends UK-wide and internationally. Unsolicited applications are not accepted—trustees proactively identify and approach grantees via networks and strategy. Funding is rolling with no deadlines, ranging from under £10,000 to over £100,000 (including multi-year awards). Exclusions are limited to non-charitable purposes; its edge lies in high flexibility, confidentiality, and resonance with trustee passions for vulnerable girls, enabling strategic bets on aligned, high-impact causes.