3r Foundation

Charity Number: 1202342

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

Stay updated on changes from 3r Foundation and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £100,000+ (over £100,592 awarded in less than two years since February 2023)
  • Success Rate: High (smaller grant applications have better success rates)
  • Decision Time: 2-6 weeks
  • Grant Range: £250 - £1,000
  • Geographic Focus: North Lancashire (Lancaster/Morecambe) and South Cumbria (Kendal area)

Contact Details

Address: 3R Charity Shop, 76 Lancaster Road, Carnforth LA5 9LE

Website: www.3rc.org.uk

Email: info@3rc.org.uk

Phone: 01524 932125

Grant Application: https://www.3rc.org.uk/grant-application

Overview

The 3R Foundation (3R stands for Recycle, Reuse, Rehome) was established in 2022 by an experienced charity shop team when their existing shop closed. The foundation opened its charity shop in Carnforth on 1st February 2023. Operating entirely through volunteer efforts with 5 trustees and 29 volunteers (none of whom receive remuneration), the foundation has rapidly become a significant local grant maker. With total income of £231,766 in the financial year ending March 2025, the foundation has awarded over £100,592 in grants to local charities, clubs, and community groups in less than two years. The foundation distributes approximately 15+ grants per month, focusing on supporting smaller organizations run by volunteers with limited fundraising experience. All proceeds from the charity shop go directly back into the North Lancashire and South Cumbria community at grassroots level.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Community Grants: £250 - £1,000 (rolling basis via online application)

  • £250 grants (most available)
  • £500 grants
  • £1,000 grants (fewer available)
  • Applications reviewed monthly by Grants Committee
  • Distributes approximately 15+ grants per month

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on funding tangible items, equipment, products, or hardware that benefit the local community, including:

  • Sports equipment and team kit (footballs, training balls, safety equipment)
  • Community facility improvements (fencing, signage, accessible facilities)
  • Essential equipment for community groups (tablets, tools, PPE)
  • Safety equipment (defibrillators, rescue equipment, safety gloves)
  • Branded clothing for volunteers and teams
  • Kitchen and catering equipment for community spaces
  • Furniture and fixtures for community centers
  • Outdoor and recreation equipment
  • Educational and therapeutic resources
  • Technology for community services

Recent grant recipients span diverse sectors including mountain rescue teams, sports clubs, pre-schools, allotments, community cafes, homeless services, refugee support, mental health groups, and arts organizations.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly states: “We do not award grants for running costs, wages or part funded projects”

Exclusions include:

  • General expenses or running costs
  • Staff wages or salaries
  • Room or equipment hire
  • Training costs
  • Travel expenses
  • Accommodation
  • Schools, academies, colleges, or universities
  • Grants to individuals (must be non-profit organizations)
Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for 3r Foundation?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Structure: 5 Trustees, 29 Volunteers

Charity Number: 1202342

Status: Registered charity, reporting up to date

All trustees volunteer their time without any remuneration, payments, or benefits. The foundation operates with no paid employees and no trading subsidiaries, demonstrating a commitment to directing maximum funds toward community grants.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through an online application form available at www.3rc.org.uk/grant-application

Application Requirements:

  • Complete online application form
  • Provide organization details
  • Explain project purpose and community benefit
  • Submit bank account information (organizational account required)
  • Upload quotes or estimates for requested items
  • Provide clear, specific details about intended purchases

Eligibility:

  • Open to local small charities and non-profit groups
  • Must serve North Lancashire (Lancaster/Morecambe) or South Cumbria (Kendal area)
  • Organization must have existed for 3-6 months
  • Must have an organizational bank account
  • Both registered charities and non-charity organizations can apply
  • Cannot be schools, academies, colleges, or universities

Pre-Application Guidance: The foundation strongly recommends reading their Pre-Application FAQs (available at www.3rc.org.uk/pre-application-faqs) before applying.

Decision Timeline

  • Review Cycle: Grants Committee meets monthly
  • Response Time: 2-6 weeks from submission
  • Payment: If grant offer is accepted, funds are paid within a few days

Success Rates

While specific success rate percentages are not published, the foundation states that “there are more chances of success if you apply for a smaller grant.” The foundation distributes approximately 15+ grants per month, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting multiple organizations regularly.

Reapplication Policy

Positive Reapplication Policy:

  • Unsuccessful applicants can reapply
  • Organizations that have received grants can reapply (recommended waiting period: 3-6 months between applications)

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's guidance and patterns of funded projects:

Strong Applications Include:

  1. Specific, tangible items: The foundation explicitly prefers funding “tangible items, equipment, products, or hardware” rather than general costs
  2. Supporting documentation: Include quotes or proof of intended purchase
  3. Clear community benefit: Demonstrate how the project benefits the local North Lancashire/South Cumbria community
  4. Detailed cost breakdown: Provide specific pricing and item details
  5. Appropriate grant size: Consider applying for smaller amounts (£250-£500) to increase success likelihood

Examples of Successfully Funded Projects (2024-2025):

  • Bolton-Le-Sands Pre-school: £1,000 for garden fence and railings
  • Lancaster Cricket Club: £1,000 for sit-on mower
  • Morecambe Pantry: £1,128 for commercial refrigerator
  • Bay Trust Radio: £1,000 for branded fleece jackets
  • Arnside Sailing Club: £650 for children's safety equipment
  • Growing Well: £500 for safety boots and branded t-shirts
  • 2nd Heysham Brownies: £500 for tablets and storage case
  • Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team: £500 for rope rescue gloves
  • Warton Cricket Club: £500 for defibrillator
  • Rainbow Centre Morecambe: £500 for woodworking bench

Post-Award Requirements:

  • Accept grant offer via email
  • Publicize receiving the grant (organization will be listed on website and social media)
  • Use funds specifically for the equipment/services stated in application

Avoid:

  • Applications for running costs, wages, or general expenses
  • Part-funded projects
  • Applications without supporting quotes or documentation
  • Vague or unclear project descriptions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Apply for specific equipment: This funder wants to fund tangible items, not operating costs—be very specific about what you need and why
  • Smaller grants have higher success rates: Consider whether £250 or £500 might meet your needs instead of automatically requesting £1,000
  • Quick turnaround: With monthly committee meetings and 2-6 week response times, this is an excellent funder for urgent equipment needs
  • High grant volume: Distributing 15+ grants monthly suggests an accessible, supportive funder for grassroots organizations
  • Very local focus: Must serve North Lancashire or South Cumbria—ensure your project clearly benefits this geographic area
  • Include quotes: Supporting documentation strengthens applications—attach quotes or estimates for requested items
  • Volunteer-friendly: The foundation specifically aims to support smaller organizations run by volunteers with limited fundraising experience—don't be intimidated if you're new to grant writing
  • Read the FAQs first: The foundation provides pre-application FAQs to help applicants understand what makes a strong application

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References