Our funding

We receive funding from a variety of different sources, but typically, our biggest source of income is from independent trusts and foundations. As an ethical organisation, we only accept grant funding and commissioned work that does not compromise our independence.

Trusts and foundations

Receiving money from trusts and foundations allows us to maintain our independence and is therefore a vital source of funding. We are very grateful to all those trusts and foundations that have supported our work over the years. Our current trust and foundation funders are:

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust – supporting our work to use Food Citizenship to reframe poverty.

A Team Foundation

Polden-Puckham Charitable Foundation – supporting our Food Policy on Trial events.

Sankalpa – providing core funding.

JAM Today – providing core funding.

Individual donations

Our work depends on public support. You can help us transform the food system by donating here. Your donation will enable us to continue influencing Government and business practice, to continue engaging with farmers to ensure their voices are heard, and to continue advocating for a food system that respects people, animals and the planet. 

We welcome donations of any size from donors who share our vision and values. We only accept funds that will not compromise the charity’s independence and ethical stance. For any queries, please e-mail dan@foodethicscouncil.org.

Business Forum membership

Our Business Forum is a safe space for changemakers in food and farming businesses to come together and explore the big challenges they are facing. Business Forum members pay a subscription fee to be part of the Business Forum community, including attending dinner events. The fee covers costs of running the programme.

To found out more about our Business Forum, including how to join, please visit our Business Forum page. You can also read through our event reports in our resources.

other income

We sometimes undertake research for, and with, other organisations. This includes for example work with WWF and RSPCA, and work to support the content and process of the public dialogue for the National Food Strategy.

How we use our funding

Our funding supports our key programmes – find more information here. To see more detail on our finances, our latest Annual report and accounts is available here. We operate a streamlined operating model with low overheads. Our expert Council members work in a voluntary capacity and add value by advising and helping staff deliver and disseminate our work through formal and informal working groups, and via their own networks.