Wolfson Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Wolfson Foundation is a charity that awards grants to support excellence in the fields of science and medicine, health, education and the arts & humanities.
The Foundation makes awards following a rigorous review process involving expert reviewers and advisory panels. Grants are generally given for capital infrastructure (new build, refurbishment and equipment) supporting excellence in the fields of science and medicine, health, education and the arts & humanities.
The Foundation was established by and named after Sir Isaac Wolfson
, Chairman of Great Universal Stores
(GUS). His wife and his son Lord Wolfson
, were the other Founder Trustees. The current Chairman is the Hon Mrs Janet Wolfson de Botton and the Chief Executive is Paul Ramsbottom.
Overview
The endowment of the Wolfson Foundation is currently some £725 million, with an annual allocation of approximately £35 million. By 2010 over £600 million had been awarded in grants (in excess of £1 billion in real terms), with over 8,000 projects funded.The Foundation makes awards following a rigorous review process involving expert reviewers and advisory panels. Grants are generally given for capital infrastructure (new build, refurbishment and equipment) supporting excellence in the fields of science and medicine, health, education and the arts & humanities.
The Foundation was established by and named after Sir Isaac Wolfson
Isaac Wolfson
Sir Isaac Wolfson, 1st Baronet FRS was a businessman and philanthropist. He was managing director of Great Universal Stores 1932-1947 and chairman 1947-1987. He established the Wolfson Foundation to distribute most of his fortune to good causes. Great Universal Stores was a mail order business...
, Chairman of Great Universal Stores
GUS (retailer)
GUS plc was a FTSE 100 retailing group based in the United Kingdom. GUS is an abbreviation of Great Universal Stores, the company's former name before 2001...
(GUS). His wife and his son Lord Wolfson
Leonard Wolfson, Baron Wolfson
Sir Leonard Gordon Wolfson, 1st Baron Wolfson, 2nd Bt FRS was a British businessman, the former Chairman of GUS, and son of GUS magnate Sir Isaac Wolfson, 1st Baronet. He was Chairman of the Wolfson Foundation...
, were the other Founder Trustees. The current Chairman is the Hon Mrs Janet Wolfson de Botton and the Chief Executive is Paul Ramsbottom.