The Paul Hamlyn Foundation is an independent grant-making charity headquartered in Kings Cross, London, with around 40 staff members. Founded in 1987 by publisher Paul Hamlyn, the foundation grew substantially after his death in 2001, when he bequeathed most of his estate to the organization, establishing it as one of the UK's largest independent funders.
Paul Hamlyn arrived in Britain as a Jewish migrant fleeing Nazi persecution in 1933. He built a publishing empire through ventures like Music for Pleasure and Octopus Publishing before channeling his wealth into philanthropy. His vision centered on social justice and dismantling barriers to arts and education, particularly for young people.
The foundation operates across the UK and India, where it has supported 200 projects since 1992. In the UK, it prioritizes nurturing creative ideas, widening arts access, education through the arts, and supporting young people affected by migration. Its flagship Awards for Artists program, established in 1994, grants substantial sums to visual artists and composers—typically ten awards of £60,000 annually, though pandemic relief in 2020 distributed £10,000 to over 100 nominees.
Current grantees span diverse sectors: organizations addressing social inequality like Bail For Immigrant Detainees and African Rainbow Family, alongside cultural institutions such as the Attenborough Arts Centre and Bristol Music Trust. The foundation allocated approximately £45.4 million annually in recent years.
Strategic priorities established in 2015 reflect Paul Hamlyn's enduring influence, emphasizing evidence-based practice and direct support for organizations developing grassroots solutions to inequality.