Introduction
The London Marathon Foundation (LMF) is one of the United Kingdom’s leading charitable funders dedicated to increasing participation in sport and physical activity. Established in 1981, the Foundation uses the surplus generated by London Marathon Events (LME) to fund projects that help people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds lead more active and healthier lives. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than £120 million to projects across London, Essex, and the wider UK.
Although the Foundation is not a provider of basic research funding or academic research grants, it supports evidence-informed community programmes that improve access to sport, recreation, and active lifestyles. It is a charitable organization rather than an enterprise foundation with private ownership, and its resources are managed solely for public benefit.
History and Background
Origins
The London Marathon Foundation was established in 1981 by London Marathon co-founders Chris Brasher and John Disley. Their vision extended beyond creating a world-class marathon—they wanted the event to inspire lifelong participation in sport while generating funds to improve recreational facilities and community wellbeing.
Originally known as the London Marathon Charitable Trust, the organization was created to receive and distribute the surplus generated by the London Marathon. In 2023, the charity adopted the name London Marathon Foundation to better reflect its national reach and broader mission of inspiring physical activity across the UK.
Growth and Milestones
Key achievements include:
- Established in 1981.
- First grants awarded to improve sport and recreation facilities in London.
- More than £100 million awarded by 2023.
- More than £120 million awarded since inception.
- Funding provided to over 1,600 projects across the United Kingdom.
Mission and Purpose
Vision
The Foundation’s vision is:
To inspire activity for all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and communities.
Mission
The Foundation believes that participation in sport and physical activity has the power to transform lives. Its funding focuses on creating accessible opportunities for people who face the greatest barriers to being active.
Strategic Objectives
Its objectives include:
- Increasing participation in physical activity.
- Improving access to quality sports facilities.
- Supporting underserved communities.
- Promoting inclusive and accessible sport.
- Reducing health inequalities.
- Encouraging lifelong active lifestyles.
- Championing diversity and sustainability in sport.
Governance and Structure
Legal Status
The London Marathon Foundation is the trading name of The London Marathon Charitable Trust Limited, a registered charity and company limited by guarantee in England and Wales. It serves as the parent charity of London Marathon Events (LME).
Governance
The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for:
- Strategic leadership.
- Financial oversight.
- Grant-making decisions.
- Compliance with UK charity law.
- Long-term stewardship of charitable assets.
Ownership
The Foundation has no private owners or shareholders. As a registered charity, its assets are held exclusively for charitable purposes. Unlike a commercial enterprise foundation, any surplus is reinvested into community programmes that promote physical activity.
Funding and Grants
Funding Mechanisms
The Foundation’s primary source of income is the annual surplus generated by London Marathon Events, which is transferred to the Foundation through corporate Gift Aid. Additional income comes from:
- Donations.
- Investment income.
- Interest earned on charitable assets.
Grant Programmes
The Foundation currently supports several major funding initiatives.
Active Spaces Fund
The Active Spaces Fund helps improve community spaces and facilities that encourage physical activity, particularly for underserved and least-active communities in London. Eligible applicants include charities, local authorities, schools, sports clubs, community enterprises, and voluntary organizations. Applications are accepted throughout the year through an Expression of Interest process.
Go! London
Go! London is a collaborative funding partnership that supports projects enabling underserved young people to access sport and physical activity.
Funding Practice
The Foundation follows principles of:
- Openness.
- Flexibility.
- Inclusion.
- Trust-based philanthropy.
- Relationship-building.
- Climate responsibility.
Research Grants
The Foundation is not a traditional research funding body and does not primarily award basic research funding or academic research grants. Instead, it finances community projects that use evidence-based approaches to improve participation in sport and physical activity.
Major Programs and Initiatives
The Foundation supports a broad range of initiatives designed to improve health and wellbeing.
Community Sports Facilities
Funding is provided for:
- Sports halls.
- Community centres.
- Playgrounds.
- Outdoor recreation areas.
- Multi-use games areas.
- Accessible activity spaces.
Inclusive Physical Activity
Projects focus on increasing participation among:
- Children and young people.
- Women and girls.
- People with disabilities.
- Ethnic minority communities.
- Economically disadvantaged groups.
Partnerships
The Foundation has funded organizations including:
- junior parkrun
- Access Sport
- Black Swimming Association
These partnerships expand opportunities for people who have traditionally been underrepresented in sport and physical activity.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Over four decades, the Foundation has become one of the UK’s largest charitable funders of physical activity.
Its impact includes:
- More than £120 million awarded in grants.
- Funding for over 1,600 community projects.
- Millions of people benefiting from improved opportunities to be physically active.
- Support for accessible recreational facilities across London, Essex, and the UK.
Funded projects have included:
- Community playgrounds.
- Inclusive sports programmes.
- Youth activity initiatives.
- School and community recreation facilities.
- Programmes improving access to physical activity for underserved populations.
The Foundation’s grant-making complements the wider charitable impact of the London Marathon, whose participants have collectively raised well over £1 billion for charities since the event began.
Conclusion
The London Marathon Foundation has evolved from a charity distributing marathon surpluses into one of the United Kingdom’s foremost philanthropic organizations supporting sport and physical activity. Through transparent governance, sustainable funding from London Marathon Events, and strategic grant-making, it continues to remove barriers that prevent people from leading active lives.
While it does not provide basic research funding or conventional research grants, the Foundation demonstrates how a modern charitable organization can achieve lasting social impact by investing in inclusive recreation, community infrastructure, and health-focused initiatives. Its independent governance, charitable ownership model, and long-term commitment to accessible physical activity ensure that the success of the London Marathon benefits communities across the UK for generations to come.
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