This Foundation makes the vast majority of its grants to UK registered Charities and UK registered Community Interest Companies (CICs) and focuses its grants within Bristol, Bath and the surrounding areas.
The Trustees of The Van Neste Foundation believe that social and environmental issues are interlinked and whilst they do not see themselves as an environmental charity, they do think that humans face an unprecedented environmental crisis which is bringing with it social pressures on a scale that we have not seen before.
To make the most effective use of their limited resources, they focus their grants on areas where they think they can make a differenec. They therefore do not support national appeals and are unlikely to give to large NGOs.
They want to encourage innovation, self help and all those who take it upon themselves to tackle social injustices that so many face today.
They assess appeals on how effective they are in reaching one or both the areas outlined below:
- Social Change - support for community organisations trying include those who have become marginalised, either as a group or as individuals. The Foundation wants to give to those who want to promote a sense of place and environmental improvement whether that be urban or rural, as well as organisations whose work encourages the systemic change necessary to alleviate poverty, leading to a more just and less unequal society
- Children and Young People - the Foundation wants to encourage those who will shape the future and help ensure that they reflect the whole of our society. It also wants to support those whose work ensures that young people feel that society does offer them something and recognises the need for all types of activities for young people including Sport, Drama, Music, Food and Travel.
National appeals and large not-for-profit organisations are unlikely to be funded.
Applications may be made at any time using the application form on the Foundation's website.
Trustees meet every 4 months to review requests for grant support.