Samworth Foundation

The Samworth Foundation is an independent UK-based charitable grant-making trust established in 1973 by Sir David and Rosemary Samworth, initially funded by shares in their family business and rooted in strong Christian values of integrity, leadership, and partnership. Its mission focuses on empowering effective, resilient organisations to drive systemic, sustainable change through a proactive, relational approach—actively seeking out inspiring partners rather than accepting unsolicited applications. The Foundation distributes around £3.5 million annually, emphasising trust-based relationships, multi-year flexible funding, capacity building, peer support networks, and leveraging trustee influence for sector-wide collaboration.

It prioritises two core themes: modern slavery and exploitation, particularly sexual exploitation, abuse of women and children; and environment and climate change, targeting root causes through advocacy, direct support, and recovery efforts. Funding supports UK organisations (with emphasis on East Midlands, London, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire) and international work in Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, including occasional humanitarian crisis responses. Grants bolster organisational sustainability, leadership, and innovative systemic interventions, often for established charities demonstrating proven impact or transformational potential.

Eligible entities include UK and international organisations with charitable purposes (not limited to registered charities), showing no strict income, size, or geographic base requirements but favouring medium-to-large groups with strong track records. Applications are strictly invitation-only; identified partners collaborate with a Grants Manager for tailored proposals reviewed at biannual trustee meetings (typically March and September), with decisions within five working days. Typical multi-year grants range from £86,000 to £300,000 (average £73,000), including unrestricted/core, project, or capacity-building support.

Distinctives include no open calls or public deadlines, rejection of unsolicited requests, and endorsements like the Funder Commitment on Climate Change; it avoids symptom-focused work, prioritising long-term resilience and shared learning over rigid processes.