Esmée Fairbairn is a major UK foundation funding work that tackles structural inequality through culture, racial equity, youth-led creativity and environmental stewardship. They prioritize supporting infrastructure, leadership and systems-change work (especially outside London), cultural institutions and community partnerships that use arts and collections for social and climate justice, and youth- and race-led organisations seeking long-term change. Grants tend to support capacity-building, leadership development and network-building rather than one-off service delivery.
Annual Giving$60.8M(2024)
Focus Areas
Inclusive Cultural Leadership & Power-SharingCollections-led Community Inclusion & Climate JusticeRacial Equity Infrastructure and Leadership DevelopmentYouth-led Creative Activism (ages ~14–25)Habitat/species restoration and nature-based systems change
Giving Approach
Program-driven, mostly competitive rounds with priority-led streams; a mix of foundation-run and externally managed funds. Typical grant awards are in the tens of thousands (common headlines ~£30k, some funds £40k–£100k); some programs are invite-only or closed to unsolicited proposals. Funding is regional (UK-wide) with an explicit preference for activity outside London and for multi-year, capacity-building investments.
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How to approach this funder
Use the foundation’s programme pages to identify the relevant priority (eg A Fairer Future streams) and apply within designated rounds; check whether a stream is open or invite-only (Youth‑Led Creativity is closed to unsolicited proposals). Focus applications on systems-change, leadership or capacity-building with clear plans for equity, regional impact (outside London), and partnership/collections use; expect grant sizes typically in the £30k–£100k band and confirm current deadlines on the website.
Notable grantees:
• Museums Association (manages the Communities and Collections Fund)
• Black Cultural Archives
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowRolling / open intake
Gender justice grants
gender-based violence preventiontrans and non-binary rightsdisabled women's organisations+4 more
Who can apply: Work should align with Esmée’s gender justice outcomes and/or intersectional work across its priorities. The foundation is especially exploring expanded grantmaking in Northern Ireland and support for disabled women’s organisations and trans/non-binary-led organisations.
Deadline: Rolling/open with strategy-based assessment; no fixed deadline visible.
arts and creativity making changechildren and young people's rightsgender justice+2 more
Who can apply: Work should be charitable, UK-based in its direct benefit, and closely fit one of the priority areas. Esmée particularly looks for organisations led by the people they serve and work that advances justice and equity.
Deadline: Rolling basis unless otherwise specified.
arts and cultureyouth-led creativityyoung people's leadership+1 more
Who can apply: Arts and culture organisations based in and working in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; the work must be led by, and for, young people underrepresented in arts and culture.
A Fairer Future – Cultural Leadership priority (Esmée Fairbairn Foundation)
Arts and creativity making changeChildren and young people's rightsGender justice+2 more
Who can apply: Work must fit the A Fairer Future strategy and one or more priorities. Esmée especially seeks organisations led by the people they serve and, in parts of the portfolio, organisations led by communities experiencing racial inequity.
Deadline: No fixed deadline stated; guidance and webinars available for applicants.
Our Natural WorldA Fairer FutureCreative, Confident Communities+1 more
Who can apply: Organisations with charitable work aligned to Esmée Fairbairn Foundation's strategic aims. The foundation supports unrestricted, core and project grants and says applicants should check guidance for specific priorities and eligibility.
Deadline: Unless specified otherwise, applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no deadlines.
peatspace for naturenature friendly farming+2 more
Who can apply: Applicants should read the Guidance for Support and align with one of the five priorities. The work should contribute to nature recovery and have clear public benefit in the UK.
Deadline: Rolling basis unless otherwise specified.
communities working together for changecommunity driven enterprise and regenerationcommunity-led art and creativity
Who can apply: Work should fit the aim and one of the priorities, be charitable, and demonstrate community-led change, collaboration, or place-based impact.
Deadline: Rolling basis unless otherwise specified.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.