Established in 1977 for John Jerwood MC (1918-1991)  by Alan Grieve CBE, at the time Jerwood Foundation's primary mission and purpose was to support young people in their education and well-being, with humanity at the heart of the activities and initiatives. Alan Grieve established the Jerwood family of philanthropic arts organisations: Jerwood Foundation, Jerwood Arts, Jerwood Space and Jerwood Collection.

Between 1998 and 2012, Jerwood Foundation diversified its support for the visual and performing arts from solely funding revenue projects to giving its significant financial support and the Jerwood name to 18 high profile capital projects throughout the UK, reflecting its range of interests in the arts and education.  The first of which was Jerwood Space which opened in 1998. 

In 2022, Jerwood Foundation became a registered UK Charity and owns Jerwood Collection of Modern and Contemporary British art as well as giving wide ranging support to the visual and performing arts in the UK.

In July 2023, Jerwood Foundation announced the intention to merge with Jerwood Arts, to create a single future-facing UK charitable Foundation, relevant for the political, social, and financial climate of the 21st century, ensuring a sustainable future with maximum impact for beneficiaries. This merger was completed and took effect from 1 January 2024.

  • The Jerwood Foundation has made a phenomenal impact by being directly interventionist: trying to find creative solutions to funding problems. 

    Stephen Daldry CBE, Theatre and Film Director

    DanceXchange: Dan Canham's Of Riders and Running Horses, 2015. Featured: Tilly Webber. Photo: Paul Blakemore