Paul and Louise Cooke Endowment

The Paul and Louise Cooke Endowment, established in 2001 as a family-led charitable fund registered in England and Wales, advances education and research in forestry, ornithology, visual and fine arts, and environmental initiatives, primarily in the UK but also in developing countries where purposes align with charitable law. Its mission emphasizes public benefit through scientific understanding, cultural creativity, conservation, and long-term educational progress, with trustees prioritizing projects that catalyze knowledge, learning, and preservation via prudent, impact-focused grant-making.

The endowment funds not-for-profit art galleries, specialist art colleges, research centers, and organizations delivering environmental or scientific education, supporting exhibitions, research initiatives, educational programs, community engagement, and occasional capacity building or core costs—especially multi-year commitments to strategic arts partners like PEER UK. Grants target innovative projects with proven public impact in these thematic areas, with a strong historical focus on London-based visual arts alongside forestry, ornithology, and charitable environmental efforts.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities or academic institutions based in England and Wales (with flexibility for international projects meeting UK charitable standards); small to medium-sized organizations with demonstrated sustainability are preferred, though no strict income thresholds apply. Funding is invite-only, with trustees identifying and approaching aligned entities—no unsolicited applications or formal processes are accepted. Grants typically range from £5,000 to £30,000 annually (up to £50,000+ multi-year), awarded adhoc at trustee meetings without fixed deadlines. Distinctively, it avoids direct individual or community support, favoring institutional and project-based investments in arts education and scientific/environmental learning for enduring change.