Dr. Martens Foundation

The Dr. Martens Foundation is the charitable foundation of U.K.-based footwear manufacturer Dr. Martens plc. It has advocated in favor of left-of-center social causes and movements around the world. 1

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At-A-Glance

Type: Non-profit, Other
Formation:

2021

Location:

London, England

Financials (2023):

Revenues: £935,414 ($1,241,668)

Expenses: £2,043,235 ($2,712,190)

Assets: £552,189 ($732,975) 2

Contents

    The foundation was created after the 2021 Initial Public Offering (IPO) of shares in Dr. Martens plc on the London Stock Exchange. 3 Before its IPO, Dr. Martens was wholly owned by the British private equity firm Permira. 4 The former managing director of Permira, Paul Armstrong, remains a director of the Dr. Martens Foundation as of 2025. 2

    Advocacy

    According to Dr. Martens plc’s website, the foundation claims that “Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) is firmly on our agenda. It is a part of who we are as a business and as a brand.” 5

    One of the Dr. Martens Foundation’s directors is Dennis M. Sparks, the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion director for the Americas. 6

    Funding

    The website for Dr. Martens Foundation lists two primary grantmaking programs. The Grassroots Grant Program makes grants to grassroots organizations working in the areas of human rights, civic participation, structural inequality, and access to social services. In 2024, it made 60 grants in this area totaling £1,087,000 (approximately $1.44 million). 3

    The “Right to Be” Program focuses on grants related to race, gender, and LGBT causes. In 2024, the foundation made 5 grants totaling £652,000 (approx. $865,000) under this program. 3

    The foundation also makes “emergency grants.” In 2024, it made one such grant for £150,000 (approx. $199,000). 3

    While charities in the United Kingdom are not required to publicly disclose the identities of all grant recipients as American foundations are, the Dr. Martens Foundation did disclose that in 2024 it had multi-year grants in place with OutRight Action International (£300,000, approx. $398,000), Women’s Foundation Hong Kong (£86,000, approx. $114,000), Rebit (£50,000, approx. $66,000), European Network Against Racism (£300,000, approx. $398,000), and the National Black Justice Coalition (£254,000, approx. $337,000). 3

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    References

    1. “The Dr. Martens Foundation.” Dr. Martens plc. Accessed April 7, 2025. https://www.drmartensplc.com/sustainability/people/dr-martens-foundation/.
    2. Dr. Martens Foundation – Charity 1194513.” Charity Commission for England and Wales. Accessed April 7, 2025. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5177514.
    3. “Dr. Martens Foundation Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024.” Register of Charities UK, December 5, 2024. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search?p_p_id=uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=2&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&p_p_resource_id=%2Faccounts-resource&p_p_cacheability=cacheLevelPage&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_objectiveId=A16290416&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_mvcRenderCommandName=%2Faccounts-and-annual-returns&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_organisationNumber=5177514.
    4. “Dr. Martens.” Permira. Accessed April 7, 2025. https://www.permira.com/portfolio/our-portfolio/dr-martens.
    5.  “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.” Dr. Martens plc. Accessed April 7, 2025. https://www.drmartensplc.com/sustainability/people/diversity-equity-inclusion/.
    6. “Dennis M. Sparks – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director – Americas at Dr. Martens.” THE ORG. Accessed April 7, 2025. https://theorg.com/org/dr-martens/org-chart/dennis-m-sparks.