Singer Foundation

The Singer Foundation, a UK charitable trust established in 1960 by Bristol engineer Richard Singer and his wife Kathleen, is dedicated to fostering individual enterprise and self-sufficiency through grants to UK registered charities. Its core mission emphasizes transformative personal development—broadening skills, instilling self-belief, raising hope, and enabling beneficiaries to support others—via initiatives in employment pathways, skills training, and independence-building. With a strong belief in the power of enterprise, the Foundation prioritizes organizations demonstrating governance excellence, proven impact, and the ability to mentor individuals toward community contribution, creating sustainable, cascading benefits.

It funds project-based work, core costs, and capacity building for charities delivering enterprise-focused programs, particularly for disadvantaged or marginalized groups, such as training schemes and employment routes that promote self-reliance. Support spans UK-wide activities without regional limits, targeting well-managed charities of various sizes that inspire and equip individuals for independence.

Eligibility is restricted to UK-registered charities with robust governance and a track record in enterprise enablement; no income thresholds apply, but applicants must align tightly with the Foundation's vision. Grants are awarded invite-only to a limited number of organizations annually, identified via networks and due diligence including site visits and outcome reporting. There are no public deadlines or application forms—unsolicited proposals are not accepted—with decisions made ad hoc at trustee meetings; typical amounts are undisclosed but emphasize high-impact sustainability.

Distinctively relational and hands-on, the Foundation avoids direct individual grants, generalist causes, or non-UK entities, standing out for trustees' pre- and post-award involvement and exclusive focus on practical, "pay-it-forward" routes to self-reliance through third-party charities.