The Chairman's report for the year ending 31 March 2009

Download PDF

“It is my pleasure to report on our 12th year of operation ending 31 March 2009.  Our mission remains:

Facilitation and support of pioneering projects with strategic impact in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders, with particular emphasis on medical research

and we continued to fund the infrastructure costs of Autism Speaks from the three year grant made last year.  This is the only charity in the UK funding peer-reviewed research into the causes of Autism Spectrum Disorders and is hugely influencing the sector.

Work continued on The History of Autism, re-titled A History of Autism: Conversations with the Pioneers which is to be published by Wiley/Blackwell in 2010.

Minor activities included Autism Forum work to bring the UK autism charities closer together; a small supplementary grant to the King Ecgbert Integrated Resource; and to host a fund-raising event for The Kingwood Trust.  The trustees agreed on 31 March to fund two projects for the World Health Organisation.  The first, for WHO Europe, was to initiate an interchange between the 53 countries of Europe on improving the care of children with intellectual disability.  The second was an epidemiological study of learning disability, specifically mentioning autism, in low to mid-income countries worldwide.  This is the first time that WHO have recognised autism in any way.

I am pleased to report that the Balliol Archives project is successfully raising funds to match our £1m pledge.
Since the year end it seemed that the outstanding £1.8m loan to the West Midlands Autistic Society was unlikely to be repaid in full.

Acknowledgements

As in previous years, I commend the work of administrator Nicole Haworth (previously Vosnakis) and the strategic input given to the foundation by Trustees Professor Eve Johnstone CBE,  Michael Macfadyen and Anne Menzies.
The Shirley Foundation is highly respected for the focus and professionalism of its giving and – to report on a post-year event – led to my one-year honorary appointment as National Ambassador for Philanthropy in May 2009.”

Application for grants

Trustees meet twice yearly but applications for support are received throughout the year.  Only those within the foundation’s Mission are considered; applicants are reminded that projects should be innovative in nature with the potential to have a strategic impact in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders.  Research proposals should be aimed ultimately at determining causes of autism.
In the first instance a simple letter with outline proposal should be sent to Dame Stephanie Shirley at the registered address or emailed to steve@steveshirley.com

Registered address:

The Shirley Foundation
North Lea House
66 Northfield End
Henley-on-Thames
Oxfordshire RG9 2BE

Tel: 01491 579004
Fax: 01491 574995

Company No. 4705234
Charity No. 1097135