About us
The Bevan Foundation is a registered charity and independent think tank that aims to make Wales fair, prosperous, and sustainable. It informs people about Wales’s most pressing social and economic challenges and develops practical ideas to solve them. Named after Aneurin Bevan – the architect of the NHS and a towering figure in Welsh public life, the Foundation draws inspiration from his legacy of social change, while remaining firmly politically neutral.
Established in 2001 by a small group seeking to strengthen public policy following Welsh devolution, the Foundation believes that everyone in Wales deserves the opportunity to live a decent life, free from hardship and with access to the support and services they need to thrive. Its work spans a broad range of issues including income inequality, housing, education, access to justice, migration, and the Welsh economy – all underpinned by a focus on inclusion, impact, and evidence.
As a politically independent organisation, the Bevan Foundation engages across the political spectrum, working to influence government, civil society, and public debate. It delivers change through a combination of high-quality research, robust policy development, strategic communications, and trusted relationships with decision-makers.
The Foundation is respected by practitioners, trusted by policymakers, and valued by the communities whose voices it helps to amplify. Its core values – independent, informed, inspiring and inclusive– run through all its work. Through this, the Bevan Foundation has established itself as a thought leader and policy innovator.
The Bevan Foundation’s impact is tangible. In recent years the Foundation’s achievements have included catalysing the provision of universal free school meals to primary pupils by proving it was affordable and prompting the uplift of Education Maintenance Allowance by £10 p.w. Highlights from its 2023–24 annual report include:
Securing £4,000 in extra support per year for eligible households through a proposed Welsh benefits system.
Supporting over 230,000 emergency payments to people in severe financial crisis via the Discretionary Assistance Fund.
Helping 82,500 households receive more help with rent through changes to the Local Housing Allowance.
Advocating for 591 unaccompanied children seeking sanctuary to benefit from an independent guardianship service.
The Bevan Foundation continues to be a powerful force for fairness and a more equal Wales.
Finances
The Bevan Foundation’s income increased in 2023/24 compared to the previous year, reaching £434,000, with expenditure totaling £407,825. In addition, it carried forward £317,575 from 2022/23, primarily comprising grant income received in advance. Its income in 2024/25 increased to more than £600,000. The majority of the Foundation’s funding comes from charitable trusts and foundations, with key funders including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Justice Together, and the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales. The Foundation also generates income through donations, subscriptions, and training and research services.
Equal opportunities policy
The Bevan Foundation is committed to building a fairer Wales where everyone, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive. Equity, diversity, and inclusion is central not only to the Foundation’s internal culture but also to its research, partnerships, and influence on public life.
The Foundation recognises the diversity of Wales and works to reflect and respect that diversity in all aspects of its work. This commitment extends to the Bevan Foundation’s recruitment policies, and actively encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those who are underrepresented in the workforce. The organisation is dedicated to creating an inclusive recruitment process where everyone feels supported, respected, and empowered to thrive. As part of this commitment, the Bevan Foundation is happy to make any reasonable adjustments to ensure all candidates can fully participate in the application and interview process.