Reardon Smith Nautical Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £200,511 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Twice annually (trustee review)
• Grant Range: Up to 50% of qualifying course costs
• Geographic Focus: Wales and Devon, particularly Cardiff

Contact Details

Website: https://www.rsnt.org.uk

Email: hello@rsnt.org.uk

Alternative Email: SARAH@FOXSECONSULTANCY.CO.UK

Phone: 02920 022 143

Address: Cardiff House, Cardiff Road, Vale of Glamorgan, CF63 2AW

Overview

The Reardon Smith Nautical Trust was established in 2004 by John and Richard Reardon Smith, together with their cousin Simon Davies, continuing a family seafaring tradition stretching back over 300 years. The modern trust emerged from the proceeds of the sale of the Reardon Smith Nautical College at Fairwater in 2004, itself a successor to the Sir William Reardon Smith Junior Nautical School founded in Cardiff in 1921. With annual expenditure of approximately £200,511 (2023-24) and total income of £129,743 from an investment portfolio, the trust advances maritime education for young people aged 16-25 from Wales and Devon, particularly Cardiff residents. The trust works directly with maritime course providers and has approved 143 grants to date, distributing £203,000 in total. The charity is governed by eight trustees who serve without remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates three distinct award categories:

1. Third Party Funding

• For organizations providing maritime education
• RSNT funding must represent no more than 30% of the organization's annual revenues
• Organizations must be financially stable
• May receive up to 3-year funding commitments for long-term relationships
• Requires measurable outcomes with potential KPIs

2. Individual Education Awards

• For accredited courses or academic research with maritime relevance
• Maximum funding: 50% of Qualifying Educational Costs
• Awards may be distributed in tranches tied to course progression
• Applicants must be in full-time education

3. Individual Vocational Awards

• For salaried maritime workers pursuing professional qualifications
• Maximum funding: 50% of Qualifying Vocational Costs
• Third-party training providers must have appropriate accreditation

Priority Areas

The trust funds education relating to:

• Shipping, maritime law and commerce
• Navigation and sailing
• Oceanography
• Marine-related environmental issues
• RYA-accredited training programs
• Courses that provide first-hand practical experience at sea

Geographic Priority: Cardiff residents, then broader Wales, then Devon

Age Requirement: Young people aged 16-25 years

What They Don't Fund

• More than 50% of individual course costs
• Organizations where RSNT funding would exceed 30% of annual revenues
• Applicants outside Wales and Devon
• Applicants over 25 years of age

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (8 trustees, all unpaid):

• Charles Reardon Smith (Chairman)
• John Reardon Smith (Founding trustee, great-grandson of Sir William Reardon Smith)
• Kate Williams (Vice Chair)
• Terry Lewis
• Gareth Rees (Vice Chair)
• Steve Berry
• Neil Pugh
• Nick Toye

The founding trustees established the trust in 2004 to honour over a century of the Reardon Smith family's commitment to nautical training. The original Sir William Reardon Smith Junior Nautical School opened on October 6, 1921, and even purchased the steel racing schooner Margherita in the early years to provide hands-on seafaring experience to students.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the trust's online portal at www.rsnt.org.uk. Both individuals under 25 and third-party organizations can apply.

Requirements:

• Complete and accurate information in all application fields
• Applicants must be in full-time or vocational education (for individual awards)
• Third-party applicants must consent to the trust publicizing its support
• The trust reserves the right to request additional details or verify submitted information

Important: Trustees retain “sole discretion on decisions relating to awards of funding” and may consider factors beyond submitted application materials.

Decision Timeline

• Trustees review applications twice annually
• Annual budget cycle runs April 6 to April 5
• Grant offers are withdrawn if unanswered emails exceed one month

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. The trust has approved 143 grants to date, distributing £203,000 in total.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Contact the trust directly for clarification.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's published guidance and operational approach:

Geographic Alignment is Critical:

The trust gives priority to Cardiff residents, then broader Wales, then Devon. Your application should clearly demonstrate residency in the priority geographic areas.

Maximum 50% Rule:

Individual applicants should understand that the trust will fund “no more than 50% of the Qualifying Educational Costs” or “Qualifying Vocational Costs.” Applications should demonstrate other funding sources or financial capacity to cover the remaining costs.

Practical Maritime Experience:

The trust has a historical emphasis on courses that provide “first hand practical experience of being at sea,” reflecting the founding vision of Sir William Reardon Smith who purchased the schooner Margherita for student training cruises.

Working with Established Providers:

The trust partners with recognized organizations including Atlantic College, Plymouth University, the Royal Yachting Association, Atlantic Pacific, Island Trust, MPTC, and Pembroke College. Applications from or in partnership with these organizations may be viewed favorably.

Financial Stability for Organizations:

Third-party organizations must demonstrate that RSNT funding would represent no more than 30% of annual revenues, ensuring the organization is financially stable and not overly dependent on a single funder.

Measurable Outcomes:

Third-party applicants should be prepared to provide measurable outcomes with potential KPIs, as this is explicitly mentioned in the application guidelines.

Complete and Timely Communication:

The trust emphasizes the importance of “complete and accurate” applications and notes that grant offers are withdrawn if unanswered emails exceed one month. Respond promptly and thoroughly to all communications.

Accreditation Matters:

For vocational awards, third-party training providers must have appropriate accreditation. RYA-accredited programs are specifically mentioned as a priority area.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic priority is paramount: Cardiff > Wales > Devon. Clearly state applicant residency in your application.
• 50% funding cap: Plan for alternative funding sources to cover at least half of course costs for individual applications.
• Twice-yearly decisions: Applications are reviewed by trustees twice annually, so plan your submission timing carefully around the April 6 - April 5 budget cycle.
• Practical experience valued: Emphasize hands-on, at-sea training components that align with the trust's century-long emphasis on practical nautical education.
• Partnership approach: The trust works directly with maritime course providers. Consider whether your organization could become a recognized partner, or whether individual applicants can apply through established partners.
• Prompt communication essential: Grant offers are withdrawn after one month of unanswered emails. Maintain active communication throughout the application process.
• Long-term relationship potential: Organizations may receive up to 3-year funding commitments, suggesting the trust values sustained partnerships over one-off grants.

References

• Reardon Smith Nautical Trust official website -
• Application Guidelines, Reardon Smith Nautical Trust -
• New Applications, Reardon Smith Nautical Trust -
• Our History, Reardon Smith Nautical Trust -
• Our People (Trustees), Reardon Smith Nautical Trust -
• Partners, Reardon Smith Nautical Trust -
• Charity Commission Register - Charity 1153623 -
• Giving is Great - Reardon Smith Nautical Trust Factsheet -