In 2005 the Dolphin Square Trust and Westminster City Council sold their leasehold interest in Dolphin Square, the well-known apartment block in Pimlico. They agreed the proceeds from the sale should fund a new housing charity, the Dolphin Square Charitable Foundation.
The Trust made an initial gift aid payment of £80 million, and additional payments brought the total endowment to £124 million.
Dolphin Square Charitable Foundation founding objectives were to help secure accommodation in Westminster or elsewhere in Greater London for those in housing need who:
- By virtue of their employment in the public, voluntary or private sectors and who provide important social, economic, environmental political services, and who cannot afford normal commercial rents,
- Or, more generally face poverty, deprivation or disadvantage.
The governors of the Foundation are representatives of the Dolphin Square Trust, Westminster City Council, private sector landlords, employers of key workers in Westminster, and registered social landlords.
In 2015 the Foundation created Dolphin Housing Limited, a not-for-profit Housing Association and a Registered Provider with Homes England.
Dolphin Housing Ltd shares the Foundation’s charitable objectives and is the customer-facing, delivery arm of the Group.
The charity’s long term aim is to invest in a portfolio of projects that will generate sufficient operating surplus to allow the Foundation to continue to develop affordable housing in central London.
Since its foundation, Dolphin Living has had the support and guidance of a number of very able and skilled individuals who have a deep commitment and enthusiasm for the work Dolphin does. In 2016 the Dolphin Fellowship was created to maintain contact with these past key Governors. The Fellows are kept up to date with Dolphin’s activities and meet annually with the Board and Executive Team.