What we fund

Our values

The values of the Foundation are inspired by how Bernard and Laura ran their business. While Laura Ashley grew to be a global empire, it had its roots in mid Wales where Bernard and Laura set up the company and raised their family. They brought employment and opportunity to a deprived area and the family forged strong links with their employees and the communities that they lived in.

Where we focus our support

Our Focus areas for funding are arts, crafts and education for the benefit of all persons but in particular those who are isolated or most in need in their community. Applications are open to organisations based in and working with people in Wales. We take a particular interest in applications with a sustainability and environmental focus.

The Foundation looks to fund projects that are true to these values:

  • Wales – Our roots are in Wales and it continues to be our main funding priority. We especially look to maintain strong links with communities in mid Wales.

  • Arts – We are keen to fund good small-scale arts projects and we support organisations that provide a wide range of educational and creative activities, including painting, illustration, design, textiles, music, dance, theatre, film and photography.

  • Crafts - We are supportive of crafts particularly those that include heritage skills that are at risk of being lost and contemporary craft skills.

  • Education - We also fund education in the arts, crafts, sustainability and the environment, for people from Wales studying in either Wales or England.

  • Rural – We are especially interested in projects that open up opportunities in areas where it might not otherwise exist and that help alleviate the isolation and other hardships that can affect rural communities.

  • Community – We are attracted to projects that bring people together, to help each other out and make their community a better, more joyful place. We support a range of community projects, including those focused on helping people who suffer from isolation and/or social disadvantage.

  • Sustainability – The future of our environment is very important to us and we are interested in applications making a positive environmental impact in their community.

  • Small Charities – The Foundation has an affinity with small charities, the ones set up by people who are driven by the desire to help better the lives of those around them.

What kind of grants do we make?

We favour requests from organisations whose income is below £2m.

We fund requests up to £10,000 and which represent at least 10% of the overall project cost.

We fund revenue proposals, not capital requests.

Funding is generally awarded to one-off projects. We will however consider funding up to 3 years if the project requires it - subject to satisfactory monitoring and review.

Grants are made to organisations registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales or Companies House (such as Community Interest Companies). We will consider unregistered organisations when supported by a registered charity or charitable company, who can receive the funds on their behalf.

Please note, the Foundation does not fund:

  • Individuals

  • Business ventures

  • Overseas projects

  • Projects in the field of religion

  • Direct funding to schools

  • Retrospective funding for activities that have already taken place.

  • Sports focused projects

  • Well supported causes (such as Cancer research and animal welfare)

  • Direct funding to hospices

  • Capital projects

  • Work with communities outside of Wales

  • Medical treatments

  • Repayment of debts

Examples of the work we fund

To give a better idea of the types of organisations that we look to fund, here are some examples of projects we have been particularly proud to be associated with. You can also browse a full list of past awards from previous years.