We aim to improve our natural world, secure a fairer future and strengthen the bonds in communities in the UK.
Turner Contemporary

Our Natural World
We want to ensure that our natural world is restored and protected and that people benefit from that recovery. Working with others, we will contribute to three key impact goals: preserved and improved species health and habitats, clean and healthy freshwater, and sustainable and ethical food.
Find out more
A Fairer Future
We want to contribute to a socially just and anti-racist society, where people have their rights protected, as well as the opportunity to speak and be heard, and the freedom to express their creativity. And across all our work in A Fairer Future, we are keen to support organisations led by the people they serve.
Find out more
Creative, Confident Communities
We want to strengthen the bonds in communities, helping local people to build vibrant, confident places where they can fulfil their creative, human and economic potential. Places where the local economy works better for the people who live there, where there is equality of access to arts and culture, and where communities are at the heart of change.
Find out moreOur impact
-
£1,020.5m
Total grants made since 1961
-
£48.8m
Funding spend in 2024
-
£60m
Allocation to social investment
-
66%
Grants for core or unrestricted costs in 2024
-
About Esmée
Learn about our people, our governance and history as well as our approach to investment and see our annual reports.
Find out more -
Our aims
Learn more about our impact goals and priorities for the next five years. We also share insights and learning as well as information about what we fund.
Find out more -
Our support
Working in collaboration with others, we use all our tools to achieve our shared goals and to effect broader change. Learn more about our range of tools and support.
Find out more
-
Open and trusting grant-making
Learn about our commitments to open and trusting grant-making, which is part of a campaign launched by the Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR).
Find out more -
Involving young people
We want to do better at listening to and involving young people more directly with our work so we're working with the Involving Young People Collective to help us design and test ways in which we can do this.
Find out more
You might be interested in
-
07 July 2025
Invitation to Tender: Impact Investment deep dive on social and affordable housing in the UK
We're looking for a provider to develop a practical resource for impact investors, assessing the investment opportunity both through funds and direct investments, which align with the theme of social and affordable housing in the UK.
Read more -
Review of diversity, equity and inclusion support
We're pleased to share a report reviewing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) support provided to organisations we fund through Funding Plus.
Read more -
Learning about youth power on the Involving Young People Collective
Gemma Moore shares reflections on her three years as a consultant on Esmée’s Involving Young People Collective, including what attracted her to her role, what she’s learned about youth power and lived experience, and what she’s gained from the experience.
Read more -
Environmental Finance and Learning Fund: increasing the supply of nature-first investment
Jenny Sansom from Environmental Funders Network and Tom Colborne from Esmée share their reflections on the Environmental Finance and Learning Fund, a three-year initiative to build confidence and skills in environmental investing, and increase the amount of funding for impactful environmental projects.
Read more