Frederick Mulder Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Frederick Mulder Foundation’s global development grants support organizations that address poverty alleviation and institutional frameworks that perpetuate poverty cycles. Its climate change program seeks organizations working to mitigate the threat of climate change around the world.

IP TAKE: This London-based funder typically supports small and grassroots organizations that combat global poverty and address climate change. Although not an approachable funder, grantseekers should still contact the staff to establish a relationship. While FMF awards several project specific grants, it also offers unrestricted and general operating support grants. 

PROFILE: Formerly known as the Prairie Trust until 2014, the Frederick Mulder Foundation (FMF) was founded in 1986 with profits earned by Frederick Mulder Limited, a private art dealership. Frederick Mulder is also the founder of The Funding Network, an “open-giving circle” that holds regular crowdfunding events. FMF is a London-based organization that envisions a “[w]orld which is fair, secure and environmentally sustainable and in which the rights of future generations are respected in decisions taken today.” Frederick Mulder focuses on Social Change Philanthropy, Climate Change, and Global Poverty around the world.

In addition to supporting climate change efforts and organizations working in the global south, FMF also makes a small number of Special Interest grants, “which reflect the special interests and areas of expertise of our trustees.” These grants are uncategorized and run the gamut from mental health to disaster relief to the arts. Past grantees include Sheila McKechnie Foundation, Playback Theatre Southwest, Just 4 Kids Law, and Human Rights Watch.

Grants for Global Development

FMF largely pursues global development through its social change philanthropy and global poverty programs. The Social Change Philanthropy program works to “increase philanthropic support for organisations working for social change.”

The Global Poverty program addresses “[d]isparities of power and the institutional frameworks that sustain inequality.” Grants support research and advocacy, among other concerns, to address poverty alleviation. It also makes grants to support relief and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic through this program. 

FMF does not impose geographic restrictions on its global development grantmaking. Past grantees include Roots and Wings Foundation, May Week Alternative, The Funding Network, Australia, Karunalaya (COVID response grant), Muizenberg Community Action Network (COVID response grant), and Incentives for Global Health

Grants for Climate Change

The foundation’s climate-change-related grants support organizations that focus largely on limiting “[g]lobal warming to 2 degrees relative to pre-industrial levels.” It funds programs and organizations that promote “natural climate solutions, and the role of capital markets in driving the move to a low carbon economy.” This includes activities such as discouraging high carbon economies, encouraging low-carbon investments, and legal interventions toward halting investments in fossil fuel, and expanding renewables.

Past climate grantees include Association Internationale de Techniciens, Experts et Chercheurs (AITEC); Centre for Citizen Empowerment and Transformation; Plan B (Earth); and Solar Aid.

Important Grant Details:

Grants awarded are often £10,000 or less, but on occasion, the foundation awards a handful of grants ranging from about £30,000 to £100,000. While FMF awards several project specific grants, it also offers unrestricted and general operating support grants. To learn more about the foundation’s larger grants, explore its annual reports, which include financial information as well as its current grantee list.

FMF does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding.

PEOPLE:

Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).

LINKS: