Henley Royal Regatta Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 299597

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £385,685 (2022)
  • Total Investment Since 1988: £6.1 million
  • Grant Range: Up to £4,000 (equipment grants via Rowing Foundation)
  • Geographic Focus: United Kingdom (with focus on grassroots youth rowing)
  • Decision Time: Reviewed three times per year for equipment grants; ongoing for refurbishment grants
  • Application Method: Mixed (equipment grants via Rowing Foundation; strategic partnerships by invitation)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.hrr.co.uk/charitable-trust
  • Email: hrrtrust@hrr.co.uk
  • Phone: 01491 572153
  • Address: Regatta Headquarters, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2LY

For equipment and refurbishment grants (via The Rowing Foundation):

  • Website: therowingfoundation.org.uk
  • Email: enquiries@therowingfoundation.org.uk

Overview

Formally established in June 1988, the Henley Royal Regatta Charitable Trust exists “to provide funds to encourage and support young people, still receiving education or undergoing training, to row or scull.” Over 35 years, the Trust has invested over £6.1 million in grassroots rowing initiatives across the UK. The Trust is funded primarily through donations from Henley Royal Regatta, supplemented by corporate and individual donors including Members of the Stewards' Enclosure. The Trust operates a dual funding model: providing equipment grants through its primary partner, The Rowing Foundation, and developing strategic multi-year partnerships with select organizations focused on youth access, diversity, and wellbeing in rowing. Notable recent impact includes supporting 10,000 young people annually through London Youth Rowing and awarding over £150,000 to 51 different clubs in 2024 through The Rowing Foundation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Equipment Grants (via The Rowing Foundation)

  • Amount: 50% match funding up to £4,000 maximum per three-year period
  • Eligible Items: Boats, sculls, oars, and essential safety equipment (NOT ergometers or cox boxes/telemetry)
  • Beneficiaries: Clubs, schools, and organizations affiliated with British Rowing (not individuals)
  • Application Method: Online via therowingfoundation.org.uk
  • Decision Schedule: Three times per year
  • Recent Impact: £150,000 awarded to 51 clubs (2024); £75,000+ to 30+ recipients (2023)

Refurbishment Grants (via The Rowing Foundation)

  • Amount: Variable, awarded monthly
  • Focus: Rowing boats used exclusively by juniors
  • Application Method: Rolling basis throughout the year

Strategic Partnership Grants

  • Type: Multi-year funding commitments
  • Examples: London Youth Rowing (three-year partnership funding 10 coaches serving ~10,000 young people annually); Oarsome Chance (multi-year grant for vulnerable youth in Portsmouth/Gosport); All Aboard Youth Rowing (500 participants across six hubs)
  • Application Method: By invitation or direct contact with Trust

Priority Areas

The Trust emphasizes “schemes that help develop the sport of rowing among boys and girls at grassroots level” with particular focus on:

  • Young people still receiving education or undergoing training
  • Disabled individuals of all ages
  • Disadvantaged communities and areas below living wage threshold
  • Schools projects introducing rowing to students (e.g., 5,350 students in Leeds program)
  • Coach development and training initiatives
  • Diversity, wellbeing, and mental health through rowing programs
  • Non-elitist access to rowing facilities and equipment

What They Don't Fund

  • Individual applicants (only organizations)
  • Ergometers or cox boxes/boat telemetry equipment
  • Elite or high-performance rowing programs
  • Organizations not affiliated with British Rowing
  • Activities outside the UK
  • General operating costs (focus is on capital equipment and specific programs)
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • C L Baillieu MBE - Chair of the Trustees
  • A Freeman-Pask
  • R C Lester
  • R C Stanhope
  • Sir Steve Redgrave CBE
  • S K Winckless MBE

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The inclusion of Olympic champions Sir Steve Redgrave and Sarah Winckless demonstrates the Trust's commitment to rowing excellence while maintaining focus on grassroots development.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Equipment and Refurbishment Grants:

  1. Visit The Rowing Foundation website at therowingfoundation.org.uk
  2. Ensure your organization is affiliated with British Rowing
  3. Submit application online for equipment or refurbishment needs
  4. Applications must be non-elitist and benefit young people in education/training or disabled individuals

For Strategic Partnership Opportunities:

  1. Review application guidelines available on www.hrr.co.uk/charitable-trust
  2. Contact hrrtrust@hrr.co.uk or call 01491 572153 to discuss potential partnership
  3. Express interest in developing programs aligned with Trust priorities

Decision Timeline

  • Equipment Grants: Trustees meet three times per year to review applications
  • Refurbishment Grants: Awarded on ongoing basis throughout the year
  • Notification: Via The Rowing Foundation for equipment/refurbishment grants

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the Trust's significant expansion from £75,000+ distributed in 2023 to £150,000+ in 2024 through The Rowing Foundation suggests growing grant-making capacity and increased approvals.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations can receive up to £4,000 maximum in any three-year period for equipment grants. There is no stated restriction on reapplying after this period or for refurbishment grants on a monthly basis.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment

The Trust prioritizes projects that:

  • Serve young people still in education or training
  • Break down barriers to rowing participation
  • Target disadvantaged communities or areas with economic challenges
  • Demonstrate sustainable impact through coaching and ongoing programs
  • Align with British Rowing affiliation standards

Evidence of Impact

Successful partnerships demonstrate measurable outcomes:

  • London Youth Rowing: 10,000 young people reached annually
  • Leeds Schools Project: 5,350 students experiencing rowing weekly, 300 on water
  • National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships: 3,102 competitors (2024)
  • Active Row: Mental and physical wellbeing improvements for 3,000+ young people

Key Success Elements

  1. Focus on Non-Elite Participation: Applications emphasizing grassroots access over competitive excellence align with Trust values
  2. Wellbeing and Diversity: Programs addressing mental health, inclusion, and diversity receive strong consideration
  3. Sustainable Coaching Infrastructure: Multi-year grants prioritize coaching development that creates lasting impact
  4. Partnership with Established Organizations: Working through The Rowing Foundation or demonstrating collaboration with British Rowing strengthens applications
  5. Clear Equipment Needs: Specific requests for boats, oars, and safety equipment (not technology) for junior use

Recent Funded Examples

  • London Youth Rowing: Three-year partnership expanding Active Row programme outside London
  • Oarsome Chance: Multi-year grant for vulnerable youth rowing activities
  • Leeds Schools Project: Coaching sessions for 5,350 students across nine secondary schools
  • Ball Cup Regattas: Support for junior competition events
  • Regional Projects: East Anglia, Leicester, Hounslow, Newcastle, Henley grassroots initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Dual Application Routes: Equipment grants (up to £4,000) are accessible via The Rowing Foundation online application; larger strategic partnerships require direct contact with the Trust
  • British Rowing Affiliation Essential: All equipment grant applicants must be affiliated with British Rowing to qualify
  • Focus on Capital Over Operating: The Trust prioritizes tangible equipment (boats, oars, safety gear) over operational expenses or technology
  • Youth and Accessibility: Strongest applications serve young people in education/training or disabled individuals, particularly in disadvantaged areas
  • Long-Term Relationships: Strategic partnerships span multiple years; demonstrate sustainability and scalable impact for consideration
  • 30-Year Foundation Partnership: The Rowing Foundation remains the primary channel for club-level equipment funding - use this route for £4,000 or less needs
  • Rolling Refurbishment Opportunity: Monthly refurbishment grants offer flexible funding for maintaining junior boats throughout the year

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