About us

Releasing Significant Change

The Lancaster Foundation was set up by John and Rosemary Lancaster in 1997, with the ambition to help those in need through generosity. The Foundation is rooted in Christian values and committed to supporting numerous local, national, and global organisations.

Over the past years the Foundation has partnered with projects which offer medical and practical support to the suffering, disadvantaged and marginalised, throughout both the UK and Internationally. Additionally, the Foundation has helped fund numerous youth and community projects.

The story of
the foundation

John Lancaster, whom Rosemary married, left school without qualifications, but with a determination to make his way in the world.

In 1983, after years of work and dedication, John founded Ultraframe, now a world leading conservatory systems company.

In 1997, after rapid growth and success, John floated the company on the stock exchange for £136 million. As a result, John and Rosemary became multi-millionaires.

In the same year (1997) John and Rosemary, both committed Christians, set about giving away their fortune through setting up the Lancaster Foundation with Rosemary as Executive Director.

Over the years the Lancaster Foundation has been able to support hundreds of projects including: buying planes for MAF, growing the work of The Message Trust with young people in inner city Manchester, and developing the Victorian cinema in Clitheroe into a multi-purpose theatre and community arts space.

The foundation is now run by a small team who support projects across the globe, making grants totalling up to around £3m each year.

Read about the story

Give the best away

Rosemary Lancaster, co-founder of the charity, published the story of the Foundation in her book ‘Give the Best Away’, in 2018. Originally written as a letter to her grandchildren, it shares about John and Rosemary’s journey of faith, the development of the Foundation, and all that God enabled them to do as they chose to ‘give the best away’. To find out more and get hold of a version for Kindle, click the button below.

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More about
the foundation

Grant Funding House of prayer