About Alan Davidson Foundation
The Alan Davidson Foundation is a UK registered charity that supports a wide range of causes. There is a strong focus on MND research, care and initiatives that help support those with disabling neurological conditions. It also supports architecture and architectural initiatives.
Who started the foundation?
The Foundation was founded by Alan Davidson. It benefitted greatly from his experience of MND and his passions for architecture, visual arts and technology. He was diagnosed with MND in 2012, and lost the battle to the disease in August 2018. Alan was the founder of London based architecture visualisation studio Hayes Davidson, one of the early pioneers of architectural computer graphics (CGI).
Why was the foundation started?
Alan was committed to helping people suffering from MND and associated neurological conditions, he wanted to help initiatives that improved their lives through better care and support, and funding research work to find a cure for MND. The Foundation carefully researches the organisations that it funds, with a preference for ‘open source’ research data where information is shared globally.
Who does the foundation support?
The Foundation supports a wide range of organisations, charities and worthy causes. Funding is allocated after careful research into the project to help understand the circumstances, charity or research being proposed. A meeting with the individual or organisation is then arranged to discuss in detail the area of work that requires funding. Find out more about the projects we have supported below.
What is MND?
MND, Motor Neurone Disease is a terminal condition that currently has no cure. It progressively damages the nervous system, leading to muscle wasting. As damage progresses, the condition becomes more debilitating. Communicating, swallowing and breathing become difficult and eventually a person with MND may be unable to move and become ‘locked in’. MND is often referred to as ‘ALS’ outside of the UK.
News and events
The Davidson PlayGC Bursary Launches
The Foundation and PlayGC Theatre Company have created a new theatre writing bursary to support theatres and writers to produce new work. The first year funds have been awarded to The Royal Court Theatre in London.
The Big Draw and the 6th John Ruskin Prize
The Foundation proudly sponsored the Under 26 category of the 6th John Ruskin Prize: “Seeing the Unseen, Hearing the Unspoken,” which was awarded in January 2024.
Total Synergy sponsors the 2024 Davidson Prize
This year, The Davidson Prize is proud to announce its partnership with headline sponsor, Total Synergy, as it celebrates its fourth year.
The Davidson Prize 2024
The Davidson Prize, now in its fourth year, has announced its 2024 brief:
Rethinking Home – Adapt and Reuse
Congratulations to the second ADF Scholar
Alan Davidson Foundation Trustee Jane Craik celebrated with Alice Garner as she received her degree from Kent School of Architecture and Planning.
Supporting MND-SMART
The Foundation has committed its largest pledge to date, supporting MND-SMART with a £1.275M investment. Following this pledge, the Trustees met the team in Edinburgh in August 2023, visiting the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research and the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic.
