Rooted in Legacy.
Invested in People.
The Sanghera Foundation was established in 2010 with a single conviction: that access to Sport, Music, and Education transforms lives — and that no child\'s potential should be limited by their postcode.
A family foundation with a generational outlook
The Foundation was created by the Whitmore family following the sale of a family manufacturing business that had supported generations of workers across the English Midlands. Rather than simply endowing a fund, the family chose to create an active grant-making institution — one that would engage directly with the communities where need is greatest.
In our first decade, we supported 87 organisations across England and Wales. In the decade since, we have expanded our reach to 14 countries, while maintaining a deliberate focus on the communities closest to our founding values: those where sporting excellence, musical education, and academic achievement remain the preserve of the few.
We are not a large foundation by assets. We are, we believe, an effective one.
Long-term Thinking
We reject short-cycle funding. Our multi-year grants give organisations the stability to build, rather than simply survive.
Proximity to Need
We fund organisations that are embedded in their communities — led by, and accountable to, the people they serve.
Radical Simplicity
Our application process is deliberately streamlined. We believe the best organisations are building, not writing grant reports.
Quiet Accountability
We measure impact without bureaucracy, working closely with grantees to understand what works and sharing those learnings openly.
Our Board of Trustees
The Foundation is governed by four independent trustees who bring together expertise in sport, music, law, and international development. The board meets quarterly to review grant decisions and set strategic priorities.
Eleanor Whitmore
Founding Trustee & Chair
Eleanor established The Sanghera Foundation following a distinguished career in international development. A former Director at the Commonwealth Development Corporation, she has spent over two decades designing programmes that create lasting economic and social mobility. She sets the Foundation's strategic direction and chairs the quarterly grants committee.
Dr. Gordon Sanghera
Trustee — Sport & Community
Gordon is the CEO of Oxford Nanopore Technologies and founder of The Sanghera Foundation. A passionate advocate for the transformative power of sport, he has championed grassroots football investment across the UK and believes that access to high-quality pitches and coaching can change the trajectory of young lives.
Sophia Verlaine
Trustee — Music & the Arts
A classically trained pianist and graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Sophia has led youth music programmes across London and the East Midlands for fifteen years. She founded the award-winning Resonance Network, connecting young musicians from under-resourced schools with professional mentorship and performance opportunities.
James Hargreaves
Trustee — Finance & Compliance
James brings thirty years of private equity and fiduciary experience to the Board. A former partner at a leading London law firm, he oversees the Foundation's investment strategy, audit processes, and regulatory compliance. He ensures that every grant decision is made with rigorous due diligence and full accountability.
Ready to apply?
Our application process is open to all UK registered charities working in Sport, Music, or Education. We accept expressions of interest on a rolling basis, with grants reviewed quarterly by the full board.