Hiscox Foundation UK

Our approach

The Foundation’s approach to charitable giving is divided into three key pillars. This helps to focus our efforts, and ensures we have meaningful, measurable criteria to live up to.

1. Social mobility and entrepreneurship

Our connectedness to entrepreneurship runs deep; Hiscox was established by an entrepreneur, and we insure over one million small businesses worldwide. The Hiscox Foundation is focused on supporting programmes that encourage disadvantaged or vulnerable groups into – or back to – work or training. Preference will be given to organisations that are very local to a Hiscox office, and where there may be opportunities for collaboration beyond funding, for example volunteering opportunities which would allow Hiscox more direct engagement and/or a chance to share specific expertise.

2. Protecting and preserving the environment

When it comes to environmental causes, the Foundation is interested in supporting programmes that contribute to improving the environment in the communities in which we operate and where our customers are present. We are focused on projects that in some way address climate variability and look to increase global resilience to climate change, as well as projects to enhance biodiversity. Preference will be given to organisations that go some way to addressing either biodiversity or a climate change related challenge, or that work in geographic areas that are particularly or more frequently affected by climate change.

3. Causes that our people are passionate about

Our employees are a passionate bunch, and they champion a whole range of worthwhile causes. From mental health and wellbeing to homelessness, our teams find ways to be generous with their time as well as their money, and the Foundation supports these efforts – predominantly through matched funding. In particular, we look to support endeavours where employees have a direct involvement with their chosen charity.

To find out more about our eligibility criteria and application process please see below.

Preference will be given to organisations within a commutable distance of a Hiscox office, which we consider as being no more than around 25 miles away from a Hiscox office, or those which have a presence in the communities that we serve.
We fund organisations of all shapes and sizes, but we are primarily interested in those with an annual income of under £10m.
We will consider funding on an unrestricted basis.
Our funding may be dependent on on-going key person commitment – this might mean the organisation’s Chief Executive, or Founder – for at least the duration of our funding.
We are only able to consider applications from registered charities, such as Charity Commission registered charities in the UK, or an equivalent regulatory body.
Scholarship programmes are not eligible for funding.
Our funding excludes event sponsorship.
The Foundation does not provide new business start-up funding.
The Foundation does not provide funding for carbon offset schemes.
We do not consider funding requests from other charitable foundations.
We would ask unsuccessful applicants to ensure 12 months has passed before re-applying.

Please note: funding decisions made by the Hiscox Foundation are independent of all other Hiscox relationships.

Multi-year partnerships

We pursue multi-year partnerships with a small number of hand-picked charities, where we believe that by doing so we can add greater value or where our involvement can go beyond charitable giving. Please note we do not accept unsolicited proposals for our multi-year partnerships.

Application process

We consider all grant applications that we receive, assuming they meet the eligibility criteria listed above. There are no specific deadlines or closing dates. To apply, simply click here to submit your application. We will endeavour to provide you with an outcome to your application with three months, though timings may vary.

If selected, our application process typically involves an initial meeting with a representative of the Hiscox Foundation, who will report back to the rest of our Trustees for a decision to be made. Following the Trustee’s decision, you will be notified in writing of the final outcome of your application.

Click here to apply.

Hiscox Foundation UK - Charity Commission number: 327635