Philanthropic support

The philanthropic gifts made by supporters of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award are fundamental in helping to support our work and the activities of the Award around the world. There are many ways in which you can support us including joining the World Fellowship, hosting events and leaving a legacy 

Jiri Zrust banner
Supporting the Award, both personally and financially, is one of the greatest investments I can make into the next generation. Through sharing my time and resources I have seen first hand exciting projects and developments launched as well as new doors open. I'd strongly recommend anyone to do the same.
Jiri Zrust,
Honorary Chair of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award World Fellowship

World Fellowship 

The World Fellowship is a network of likeminded individuals from around the world, all equally passionate about helping more young people to fulfil their potential and discover their purpose, passion and place in the world. Established in 1987 by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT the World Fellowship recognises and celebrates the philanthropists of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation.  

The World Fellowship brings its supporters together at events and meetings all around the world and plays a vital part in helping more young people to benefit from participating in the Award, it is our most significant source of philanthropic support, making the greatest impact to enable us to reach more young people particularly those who are at risk of from marginalised communities.

I am very passionate about the personal development of young people and giving them opportunities to flourish. It was clear that membership of the World Fellowship would allow me to contribute to the Award's impact on young people across the world.
Pat Curran,
Supporter

The World Fellowship is comprised of three giving levels; Fellow, Benefactor and Global Benefactor to which you can make an annual donation for a minimum commitment of three years to build sustainability and help the charity plan for the future.  

All donors may designate up to 50% of their donation to a country where we have a National Award Operator present, or to another area of our work such as our  Adults in the Award  project or our grant giving programme, Special Projects.  

Founder’s Fund  

The Founders 100 campaign is designed to establish a fitting memorial of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh: to take the best of the Award and make it better; to scale up the ambition, impact, and perception of the Award worldwide.  The Founder’s Fund will inspire, empower, and ultimately transform millions of young people’s lives. The campaign has the objective of the establishment and raising of a dedicated Founder’s Fund which will raise in excess of £25million, to invest in the organisations delivering the Award around the world, challenging them to chart a sustainable path to growth in Award participation, and providing financial, governance and staffing support to help them achieve their goals.

For more information on how you could support the Founders Fund please contact [email protected] 

Recognition 

Fellows and Benefactors will be invited to a lunch hosted by the Patron of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG GCVO, in recognition of their outstanding support. Fellows and Benefactors will receive their World Fellowship pin at the World Fellowship Anniversary Event. Special Recognition at events and in publications for those who donate £100,000 annually and above and a list of those currently in pledge will be published in our annual report.  

Communication 

All members of the network will have a dedicated relationship manager and opportunities to engage with our CEO and Trustees. You will receive the World Fellowship newsletter, impact reports and regular digital updates on Award developments and stories of young people from around the world as well as invitations to special events hosted globally by our Chairman and other supporters.  

Mick Davis - Entrepreneur, Director of Companies and Philanthropist

“Every generation feels it is uniquely challenged to face down risk and maximise opportunity and make the world a better place going forward. But young people today must feel that upon their shoulders lie the accumulated burdens of the ages. Two dramatic discontinuities in short order in the form of the Global Financial Crisis and now COVID-19 add to the uncertainty of today’s technology age, where work as we know it might well disappear. So many legitimately fear being forever on the margins of a society dominated by the privileged few. It is at times like this that the Award plays such a pivotal role. It seeks to engage with the young and the marginalised and build resilience and confidence so that they might see beyond the steep slopes of the mountain and claim the potential of its peaks. The skillsets that the Award offers can change the lives of so many and it merits the support of all who hold that the future is our youth. I am honoured to be associated with extending its reach and impact.”

Margaret Fountain CM, Global Benefactor

“The empowerment of young people is why I’m committed to the Award and it’s a great honour to be involved as the Global Benefactor. I believe that it is imperative to invest in our young people because they are the future and if we can empower them to be a positive force for good that gives me hope.”

Margaret Fountain Global Benefactor