Sheila Coates Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (oversubscribed)
• Decision Time: 6 weeks from application deadline
• Grant Range: £5,000 (fixed amount)
• Geographic Focus: England (mainstream secondary schools and colleges)

Contact Details

Website: www.sheilacoates.foundation

Email: enquire@sheilacoates.foundation

Phone: 0300 302 0000

Address: The Courtyard, Shoreham Road, Upper Beeding, Steyning, BN44 3TN

Overview

The Sheila Coates Foundation was registered as a charity in 2020 (charity number 1188092) to advance the education and mental health of children and young people in England who have autism. Founded by a successful fintech entrepreneur who benefitted from the late Sheila Coates' autism support service in Oxfordshire, the foundation honours her legacy of “respect and caring for each child and each family, combined with realism about their difficulties.” The foundation operates rapid funding rounds, helping over 18,000 autistic students across mainstream secondary schools and colleges in England. The foundation emphasises outcome-focused grantmaking with upwards of 98% of schools reporting positive impact within 5 months.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Rapid Impact Fund: £5,000 (fixed award)

• Periodic funding rounds announced on website
• Approximately 100 grants available per round
• Fixed amounts with no flexibility to request more or less
• Full £5,000 released upfront after signed Terms and Conditions
• Previous recipients welcome to reapply
• Multiple applications permitted per school/college

Priority Areas

The foundation funds activities that are:

1. Places and Spaces - Sensory gardens, vegetable plots, roof gardens, yurts, and safe indoor/outdoor spaces developed or refurbished to help autistic students during structured or unstructured time

1. Resources - Hardware such as laptops, iPads, tablets, video cameras and other purchasable items that can be implemented quickly

1. Implementation Support - Additional staff time for well-being or engagement support, staff development activities including mentoring and action learning

1. Co-production Activities - School-wide consultations, planning groups led by autistic young people, awareness-raising initiatives about sensory strategies

Key Requirements:

• Activities must be implementable within 6 months with demonstrated impact
• Must go “over and above” statutory provision by schools or Local Authorities
• Cannot duplicate services identified in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
• Must demonstrate creative and innovative approaches
• Must actively involve autistic young people in planning and delivery

What They Don't Fund

• Primary schools
• Special schools or colleges
• Alternative Provision/Pupil Referral Units
• Direct applications from young people, parents, or support organisations (only schools/colleges can apply)
• Academy Trusts (though they can support member schools to apply)
• Activities that replicate existing statutory services
• Activities that duplicate EHCP provisions

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Governance and Leadership

Structure: Trustees receive no remuneration

Founding Vision: The founder, a beneficiary of Sheila Coates' services, articulated the guiding philosophy: "I never saw my diagnosis as a 'label' in any negative sense...I want as many children as possible to have these resources." The foundation's vision centres on ensuring young people with autism receive necessary resources for understanding and success within mainstream society, enabling them to achieve their potential.

Decision-Making: The SCF Board of Trustees makes final decisions about funding allocation. Decisions are final with no possibility to appeal.

How to Apply to Sheila Coates Foundation

How to Apply

• Online application form accessed when funding rounds are open
• Applications require: contact details, school/college URN, job title
• Foundation announces funding round dates on their website
• Subscribe to their mailing list for notifications of upcoming rounds
• Joint applications from collaborating schools/colleges permitted (with designated lead institution)

Decision Timeline

• Application to decision: 6 weeks from application deadline
• Overall process: Approximately 2 months from starting application to notification
• Notification method: Email
• Post-award reporting: Short online form with impact statement at end of funding period
• Possible follow-up engagement with SCF trustees or research partners

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The foundation anticipates being oversubscribed and acknowledges that limited funds mean some applications will be unsuccessful.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants: Can reapply when the next funding round opens. No waiting period or restrictions on reapplication.

Previous recipients: Actively welcomed to reapply for new projects.

Application Success Factors

Direct Guidance from the Foundation

The foundation emphasises: "If you don't write it, we won't know it!" Use character counts strategically to clearly explain planned activities.

Key Scoring Criteria

1. Alignment with funding round's specific focus
2. Quick implementation - demonstrable impact within 6-month timeline
3. Creative and innovative approach - not simply expanding existing services
4. Active involvement of autistic young people in planning and delivery

What They Seek

• Co-production or collaboration involving autistic young people actively planning/delivering initiatives
• School-wide or whole-college approaches (not isolated specialist team projects)
• Evidence of impact from previous funded work
• Genuine innovation rather than expanded existing services
• Consultation with autistic students as subject matter experts

Application Tips

• Review scoring criteria before writing
• Consult colleagues and involve autistic students in application development
• Examine evidence base for proposed activities
• Read provided examples of funded activities for inspiration
• Clearly articulate how the activity goes “over and above” statutory requirements
• Demonstrate how autistic young people will be involved in design and delivery

Evidence of Impact

The foundation has documented that upwards of 98% of schools reported positive impact within 5 months of receiving funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Fixed funding only: No flexibility on the £5,000 amount - tailor proposals to this exact budget
• Speed matters: Demonstrate how activities can be implemented within 6 months with measurable impact
• Co-production is critical: Actively involve autistic students in planning and delivery - this is a key scoring criterion
• Think whole-school: School-wide approaches score higher than isolated specialist interventions
• Innovation over expansion: Propose creative new approaches rather than simply expanding existing services
• Be specific: Use all available character counts to clearly articulate your plans - vague applications won't succeed
• Reapply freely: Previous applicants (successful or unsuccessful) are welcome to apply again with new projects

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Bedgebury Foundation
• Edufund Uk
• St Giles-in-the-fields And William Shelton Educational Charity
• Kettering Old Grammar School Foundation
• Cullum Family Trust
• James Marshall Foundation Cio
• Impetus - The Private Equity Foundation
• Hays Travel Foundation
• Huntingdon Freemen's Trust
• The Laurel Trust

References

1. Sheila Coates Foundation official website - About Us: https://www.sheilacoates.foundation/about-us
2. Sheila Coates Foundation - How to Apply: https://www.sheilacoates.foundation/how-to-apply
3. Sheila Coates Foundation - Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.sheilacoates.foundation/how-to-apply/frequently-asked-questions
4. Sheila Coates Foundation - Impact: https://www.sheilacoates.foundation/what-we-do/impact
5. UK Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 1188092: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1188092
6. Sheila Coates Foundation - Rapid Impact Fund: https://www.sheilacoates.foundation/what-we-do/rapid-impact-fund
7. Direct quote from founder: "I never saw my diagnosis as a 'label' in any negative sense...I want as many children as possible to have these resources" - Foundation About Us page
8. Direct quote from application guidance: "If you don't write it, we won't know it!" - Foundation FAQ page
9. Sheila Coates tribute: “respect and caring for each child and each family, combined with realism about their difficulties” - Foundation About Us page