About us

Columba 1400

Founded in 1961, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is one of the UK’s largest independent funders.

In 2024, we provided £48.8m in funding towards a wide range of work in support of our aims: to improve Our Natural World, secure A Fairer Future and nurture Creative, Confident Communities. This includes additional funding to organisations we fund in response to the rising cost of living. We also have a £60m allocation to social investments and a £10m allocation to impact investments. Our funds are generated by our investment portfolio.

Learn more about our strategy

Celebrating 60 years of Esmée

In 2021, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation turned 60. We wanted to take some time to reflect over the last 60 years, and to celebrate the breadth of our work and all that we have achieved working with so many brilliant people and partners.

IMG_3896

Meet our people

Who's who at Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Meet our staff and trustees.

Find out more
National Theatre Connections Festival at Derby Theatre. Credit Chris Webb # 2 - David Brownlee.jpg

Our values

Our organisational values will act as a guide for staff and Trustees about how we work at Esmée. Our organisational values will act as a guide for staff and Trustees about how we work at Esmée.

Find out more
  • The FiELD, East London Dance

    Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

    Our commitments on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as an organisation and through our work.

    Read more
  • climate-road-landscape-people-2990647.jpg

    Climate Change

    Read about our commitment to addressing the causes and impacts of climate change.

    Read more
  • Zoielogic Dance Theatre

    Our funding data

    We publish all our grants and social investments on 360Giving, an initiative that aims to help UK funders share their data in an open and standard format online.

    Read more
  • Glencoe rainbow

    Our investments

    Our investments ensure that we can keep working to improve our natural world, secure a fairer future and strengthen the bonds in communities in the UK for decades to come.

    Read more
  • West London Zone

    Strategy

    Information about our strategic plan including our impact goals and the outcomes we hope to achieve by 2030. We also outline how we will work in support of our mission.

    Read more
  • The Deep Hessle Foreshore Beach Clean

    Governance

    Esmée is governed by a Board of Trustees who meet six times each year to set and oversee the delivery of the Foundation’s strategy. We also have a number of Trustee committees, which support our work throughout the year.

    Read more
  • IVAR-flexible funder pledge (7).png

    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).

    Read more
  • Creative Academies-HG31-ODrisscollCollective5AnthonyShintai.jpeg

    Working for Esmée

    Our vision is for Esmée to have a diverse team of staff and Trustees – with the skills, knowledge, experience, networks and insights required to deliver our strategic plan.

    Read more
  • White flowers in a grassy field

    HR policies

    Information on HR policies for people working at Esmée. As well as providing guidance on employment issues including the range of benefits available to staff, they ensure that we adhere to the law with consistency and consideration.

    Read more
Latest

You might be interested in

  • Good Chance Theatre-From Here On in London the local young cast and Gecko performers © Good Chance & Gecko, photo by Malachy Luckie
    27 March 2025

    Pre-application Q&A Webinar: 12 May 2025

    We're hosting a pre-application Q&A webinar on 12 May 2025 for organisations interested in applying to Esmée for support who have questions about our application process or guidance.

    Read more
  • Woodland Trust-Smithills Estate, Forestry school

    Invitation to Tender: Expanded Land Purchase Facility options

    Invitation to Tender: We're looking to work with a consultant to scope and design options for an expanded and collaborative Land Purchase Facility.

    Read more
  • Close up of hands patting soil down after planting

    Playing to our strengths: social and impact investing

    Jonny Page, Esmée's Director of Social and Impact Investment, writes about how we're working towards aligning our investments with our mission to drive social and environmental impact across key areas like social justice, conservation, and community development.

    Read more
  • IMG_9631

    Neurodiversity and Me (Black woman edition)

    Aaliyah McLaughlin, a member of Esmée’s Involving Young People Collective, provides unique insight into her experiences as a neurodivergent person and shares advice on how others can support individuals with dyslexia and ADHD.

    Read more