About us

The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation aims to improve the quality of life throughout the UK.  We do this by funding the charitable work of organisations with the ideas and ability to achieve positive change.  We take pride in supporting work that might otherwise be considered difficult to fund.

The Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-makers in the UK.  In 2011 we committed over £40 million to a very wide range of work. 

We respond to need.  As an independent funder, we can take risks on work which breaks new ground, deals with challenging and difficult issues, or needs a more unusual form of financial help such as a loan. We aim to encourage enterprising people and projects and always look to support work
which is sustainable and responsibly planned.  We also believe in stewardship - embracing the future while still valuing the past.