3R Foundation
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £100,000+
- Success Rate: Not published
- Decision Time: Applications reviewed monthly
- 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. In the most recent financial year, the charity had total income of £231,766. Since opening, the foundation has awarded over £201,000 in grants to 389 local charities, clubs, and community groups. The foundation focuses on supporting smaller organisations 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 Programmes
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
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 centres
- 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 organisations.
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 organisations)
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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.
How to Apply to 3r Foundation
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 organisation details
- Explain project purpose and community benefit
- Submit bank account information (organisational 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)
- Organisation must have existed for 3-6 months
- Must have an organisational bank account
- Both registered charities and non-charity organisations 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
- 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.”
Reapplication Policy
Positive Reapplication Policy:
- Unsuccessful applicants can reapply
- Organisations 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:
- Specific, tangible items: The foundation explicitly prefers funding “tangible items, equipment, products, or hardware” rather than general costs
- Supporting documentation: Include quotes or proof of intended purchase
- Clear community benefit: Demonstrate how the project benefits the local North Lancashire/South Cumbria community
- Detailed cost breakdown: Provide specific pricing and item details
- Appropriate grant size: Consider applying for smaller amounts (£250-£500) to increase success likelihood
Examples of Successfully Funded Projects:
- Bolton-Le-Sands Pre-school: £1,000 for garden fence and railings
- Arnside Sailing Club: £650 for children's safety equipment
- Kendal Rugby Club: £500 for mobile defibrillator
- SELFA Children's Charity: £464 for hammocks, forest schools equipment and hoodies
- Cinderbarrow Miniature Railway: £1,000 for footpath resurfacing project
- The Well Communities CIC: £1,000 for external masonry paint for their Morecambe hub
- Cumbria Ore Mines Rescue Unit: £1,131 for air brake compressor for rescue vehicle
Post-Award Requirements:
- Accept grant offer via email
- Publicise receiving the grant (organisation 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 rapid payment after acceptance, this is an excellent funder for urgent equipment needs
- High grant volume: Having awarded over £201,000 to 389 organisations suggests an accessible, supportive funder for grassroots organisations
- 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 organisations 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
Similar Funders
These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:
- The David Snowdon Trust
- Lga Foundation
- The Frieda Scott Charitable Trust
- The Harold And Alice Bridges Charity
- Francis C Scott Charitable Trust
- The Harris Charity
- The Hadfield Charitable Trust
- Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund
- The Lofthouse Foundation
- Community Foundations For Lancashire And Merseyside
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References
- 3R Foundation official website: www.3rc.org.uk (accessed 28 December 2024)
- Grant Application page: https://www.3rc.org.uk/grant-application (accessed 28 December 2024)
- Pre-Application FAQs: https://www.3rc.org.uk/pre-application-faqs (accessed 28 December 2024)
- Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1202342/fullprint (accessed 28 December 2024)
- Grants Awarded 2024: https://www.3rc.org.uk/grants-awarded-2024 (accessed 28 December 2024)
- Grants Awarded 2025: https://www.3rc.org.uk/grants-awarded-2025 (accessed 28 December 2024)
- Lancaster Guardian: “Carnforth charity celebrates reaching £100k milestone in less than two years” (accessed 28 December 2024)
- Lancaster Guardian: “Carnforth charity awards £85,000 in grants to local community groups” (accessed 28 December 2024)
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