This page has FAQs about Esmée including how to get in touch with media enquiries or if you'd like to make a complaint.
1.1 What is Esmée Fairbairn Foundation?
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is one of the UK’s largest independent funders. Our aim is to improve our natural world, secure a fairer future, and strengthen the bonds in communities in the UK. We do this by contributing all that we can to unlock change by people and organisations with brilliant ideas who share our goals. Read more about our aims.
In 2023, we provided £58.4m in funding towards a wide range of work in support of our aims. This includes additional funding to organisations we fund in response to the rising cost of living. We also provide social and impact investment for organisations with the aim of creating social and environmental impact. See an overview of grants we've made, and learn more about our funding data.
Our funds are generated by our investment portfolio. Read more about our approach to investment.
The foundation is named for Esmée Fairbairn by our founder, Ian Fairbairn: read more about them and our history.
1.2 How do I leave feedback for Esmée
1.3 Where should media enquiries be directed?
If you are a journalist and have a press enquiry, you'll get the quickest response if you send details to communications@esmeefairbairn.org.uk.
1.4 Do you pay the Living Wage?
Esmée is a Living Wage funder and employer, accredited by the Living Wage Foundation.
- As a Living Wage funder, we encourage our applicants to pay their staff the UK Real Living wage as a minimum.
- As a Living Wage employer, everyone working at Esmée, regardless of whether they are permanent employees or third-party contractors and suppliers, receives the London Living Wage.
The Living Wage commitment means that everyone working at the Foundation, regardless of whether they are permanent employees or third-party contractors and suppliers receives the London Living Wage.
The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually. It is calculated according to the basic cost of living using the ‘Minimum Income Standard’ for the UK. Decisions about what to include in this standard are set by the public; it is a social consensus about what people need to make ends meet.
Employers choose to pay the Living Wage on a voluntary basis. Current levels for the Living Wage and details of how it is calculated can be found on the Living Wage Foundation website.
1.5 How do I make a complaint about the Foundation?
If you wish to make a complaint to the Foundation about the way you have been treated or some other aspect of our work, please put this in writing to: Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, 6th Floor, 210 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JY or by e-mail: info@esmeefairbairn.org.uk.
The Chief Operating Officer will deal with the complaint at the first stage. If this cannot be dealt with satisfactorily, then it may be taken to the Chair of the Board of Trustees. While the individual identity of complainants will be kept confidential, the lessons emerging from these are reviewed by the Senior Management Team to see if any lessons can learned or practice improved, and these are reported to the Board of Trustees. See our Complaints Policy to learn more about the procedure for complaints.
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is regulated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. See the Charity Commission's guidance on making a complaint about a charity:
1.6 Do you have a whistleblowing policy?
Yes, we do. We aim to encourage a free and open culture in dealings between Trustees, employees and all those with whom the Foundation engages. In particular, we recognise that effective and honest communication is essential if concerns about breaches or failures are to be dealt with effectively. Our Whistleblowing Policy is designed to provide guidance to all those who work with or within the Foundation who may feel they need to raise concerns relating to the Foundation with someone in confidence.
This may include circumstances such as:
- A criminal offence has been committed, is being committed or is likely to be committed
- A person has failed, is failing or is likely to fail to comply with any legal obligation to which he or she is subject
- A miscarriage of justice has occurred, is occurring or is likely to occur
- The health and safety of any individual has been, is being or is likely to be endangered
- The Foundation is in breach of health and safety or environmental law
- Information tending to show any matter falling within any one of the preceding points has been, is being or is likely to be deliberately concealed.
If you wish to raise an issue, you should put the details in writing to the Chief Executive or Chief Operating Officer at: Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, 6th Floor, 210 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JY; or by email to james.wragg@esmeefairbairn.org.uk.
If the issue is one you feel you cannot share with the management of the Foundation, then we encourage you to contact: Protect (formerly Public Concern at Work) or you may wish to contact the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
All whistleblowing reports will also be shared with the Chair of the Board of Trustees.