Gower Street’s UK grant making replenished by Quadrature Charitable Foundation
Announcement- November 2026
Gower Street’s UK grant making replenished by Quadrature Charitable Foundation
Background
Gower Street was founded by Nick and Sophie Marple as a grant making trust focused on girls’ education in Africa and North London. Since 2018 it has been focused on supporting work tackling climate change in Ghana and the UK and has been spending out funds donated to the trust by Nick and Sophie totalling approximately £8 million.
Replenishment
As of autumn 2026, the spend out is close to completion and we can now announce a new phase of grant making thanks to replenishment funding by Quadrature Charitable Foundation (QCF). The new pot, worth approximately £11 million will be spent out to support building a more socially just, resilient and democratic future in the UK between 2026-2031.
This new phase of work reflects a broadening of vision by both QCF and Gower Street to acknowledge that tackling climate change will be achieved most effectively when addressed holistically alongside work to promote social, economic and democratic justice. The replenishment has been funded in recognition of the value Gower Street adds to civil society in the UK through our model of responsive, relationship based grant making. The grant making under this replenishment will take a similar form to that which Gower Street has been delivering for the past five years. For more details, please see the funding process page and FAQs of the Gower Street website.
Gower Street’s commitment to supporting work in Ghana continues as we complete the spend out of Nick and Sophie’s donation and some reallocation of funding that is made possible by the QCF replenishment.
Where the money comes from
Gower Street’s initial funding from Nick and Sophie Marple came predominantly from Nick's 30 year career in the sports gambling industry. Until deployed as grants, monies are invested for positive social and environmental impact (well beyond ESG) as well as financial return. Our investments are split between Tribe and a bespoke impact portfolio with Rathbones.
The replenishment funds come from QCF, an independent charitable foundation.
As a grant making trust focused on social, economic and climate justice, we are alert to the tension between these goals and wealth creation intertwined in the current economic system. We acknowledge and hold this tension as we pursue the value of dispersing funds allocated to public good in a timely and impactful way.
FAQs
What does the new funding from 2026 mean for your spend out?
The original Gower Street spend out phase (ending in 2028) remains as it was. We have a small amount of funds remaining and have a plan in place to allocate those within the next 12-24 months. Please see here for full details on our funding process Funding Process | Gower Street.
Can I apply for funding?
Please see here for full details on our funding process Funding Process | Gower Street.
What is your funding process & timeline?
Our funding practices remain the same as they have been in the past 5 years. We are a proactive funder but are open to receiving a 2 page summary of work, if you feel your work is strongly aligned with our areas of focus. Please see here for full details on our funding process Funding Process | Gower Street
Are your funding priorities going to change from 2026?
Our funding practices remain the same as they have been in the past 5 years. Please see here for full details on our funding process Funding Process | Gower Street
Why is this new funding only for the UK?
This funding has been allocated from within the UK portfolio of QCF’s work. We will continue to explore replenishment opportunities for the Ghana fund.
What does this mean for your work in Ghana?
We remain committed to our work in Ghana and have 3 active work streams there. Please see here for more information Working in Ghana | Gower Street
Are you still interested in co-funding opportunities?
Yes, we remain committed to working alongside other funders where possible. We strongly believe that this is the optimal way for philanthropy to operate.
What does this mean for the Gower Street team?
The Gower Street team are excited to deliver this new phase of work. The team will be strengthened over the coming months to ensure we can deliver this funding in the most effective way.
How do we get in touch with the Gower Street team?
You can get in touch with Sally & Tessa as per the guidance on our website here: Funding Process | Gower Street