Setting up a corporate foundation with a clear focus

The context

Liontrust had been giving on an ad hoc basis for many years, without a focused strategy. Conversations with The Giving Department began in early 2023, and the executive leadership committed annual funding for a new foundation. There was a strong desire to focus funding where it could make the greatest difference: supporting small organisations at a key growth point, where grants would be transformational.

The challenge

Establish a 'gold standard' UK-registered charitable foundation with a strategic focus and sustainable impact, while lifting the administrative burden on both the foundation and charity applicants, so grantmaking is fair and proportionate.

What we did

We were commissioned in 2023 to plan and register the Liontrust Foundation, which launched in 2024. This included:

• Coordinating the legal, accountancy and Charity Commission process
• Governance training and support, including internal and external Trustee recruitment
• Establishing the foundation's objectives and funding strategy
• Ongoing support: grantmaking, including application facilitation, due diligence and grant management
• Ongoing support: impact reports and compliance
• Ongoing support: Trustee meeting schedule, board packs and administration