John Ellerman Foundation

Image of photographs from the Ellerman Foundation Collection

John Ellerman Foundation Collection

UK Philanthropy Archive
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About the collection

The archive is primarily composed of papers related to the grants awarded by the Foundation, but also includes material related to the history of the Foundation, along with papers relating to the family themselves and their independent investments. 

This includes:

  • Grant files
  • Papers relating the the creation of the Foundation
  • Family history records
  • Personal papers of the Ellerman family
  • Family photographs
  • Papers related to the governance of the Foundation
    • Meeting minutes
    • Policy papers
    • Financial records
  • Reports and publications
Browse the collection John Ellerman Foundation website

About the John Ellerman Foundation

John Ellerman Foundation are an independent and endowed medium-sized grantmaking foundation established in 1971 by John Ellerman II who inherited the fortune of his father, shipowner and investor Sir John Ellerman I.  

The first Sir John Ellerman (1862-1933) had built up from scratch an empire of shipping and other businesses in the early part of the 20th century. At the age of 23, his son, also called John (1909-1973), inherited his father’s baronetcy and considerable fortune. Although in charge of the family firm, the second Sir John’s interests lay elsewhere. He became a distinguished zoologist and world expert in the study of rodents. He also divided much of his time between the UK and South Africa. In 1971, two years before his death, he donated the funds from the Ellerman Lines business to form the original Foundation.

The Foundation's aim is to advance wellbeing for people, society and the natural world. As generalists grant-makers and in line with the broad philanthropic interests of their benefactor, the Foundation has funded projects relating to wildlife conservation, children and youth, disabilities, museums and heritage, and the arts. 

Alongside grants awarded to UK charities, the Foundation has funded projects in Sub-Saharan Africa including through the creation of an International Development Programme in collaboration with the Baring Foundation (2004-2013).