The Wolfson Foundation is celebrating passing a significant milestone: awarding over £1 billion in funding to more than 12,000 excellent projects, worth approximately £2 billion in today’s money.
Since we were established in 1955 by Sir Isaac Wolfson, we have funded projects which improve civil society – largely through the funding of research and education.
95% of the billion pounds has been awarded to capital infrastructure projects across the education, science and medicine, culture and health sectors: new buildings, renovations, restorations and equipment.
The rest has been awarded to exceptional people, supporting training and research by funding students, researchers and healthcare professionals.
The billion-pound investment has been spread across the UK, from building a support centre at a community growing project on the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, to a new outdoor science classroom at Les Quennevais School in Jersey.
We have invested in the best research in science, medicine, engineering, the humanities and social sciences. This includes, for example, one of the earliest centres for climate research at the University of East Anglia in the 1970s and, more recently, equipment for research into electric flight propulsion at the University of Nottingham.
Over 1000 schools and sixth form colleges have received grants to transform opportunities for young people.
Museums, churches and chain bridges, stately homes, steamships and even an 18th-century shell grotto have all been supported for the enjoyment of all.
Many of these projects have been supported through partner organisations and collaboration has been a hallmark of our way of working. For example, a 44-year partnership with Art Fund has purchased art and historic objects for the nation, from Anglo-Saxon discoveries to contemporary art. The Foundation’s partnerships with the Royal Society have allocated over £65 million to support scientific research.
We also award funding to improve the facilities of health and disability organisations including hospices, older people’s organisations and charities supporting people with physical or learning disabilities or those experiencing poor mental health.
Chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation, Paul Ramsbottom said: ‘The figures, across sixty-six years, are impressive. But I hope that they are more than numbers. We have always sought to make wise decisions, based on expert, rigorous peer review. Crucially, we have also sought to build strong relationships as a listening funder – and to see our grant-making as genuine partnership working. It is thrilling to know that, from rural village churches to mighty research institutes, Wolfson funding has touched virtually every community in the UK, and enriched countless lives.’
‘The need for funding of research and education is more important now than ever, and so – as well as taking stock and congratulating our many partners who have done remarkable things with our funding – we also pledge to continue and expand our work.’
Image: Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials, Black Country Living Museum.
