Richer Sounds Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £276,143 (FY 2024)
• Total Income: £508,128 (FY 2024)
• Grant Range: £12,000 - £20,000 (examples from available data)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Application Method: Applications accepted from charitable organizations

Contact Details

Address: Richer House, Hankey Place, London SE1 4BB

Email: abbieb@richersounds.com

Phone: 0161 475 0516

Overview

The Richer Sounds Foundation was established in 2021 as an independent grant-making charity (registered charity number 1196533). The Foundation is funded primarily through donations from Richer Sounds Limited, the UK hi-fi and home cinema retailer, which aims to donate 15% of its profits annually to charity. In the financial year ending April 2024, the Foundation had a total income of £508,128 and made grants totaling £276,143. The Foundation operates on behalf of colleagues (employees) at Richer Sounds, accepting applications from a variety of charitable organizations while also considering recommendations made by Richer Sounds employees. The Foundation's mission is to carry out charitable giving for exclusively charitable purposes under the laws of England and Wales, with a particular focus on addressing poverty and reducing inequalities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates a flexible grant-making approach:

• Open Application Program: Accepts applications from charitable organizations throughout the year, with grants reviewed and decided by trustees
• Employee-Nominated Grants: Reviews and funds recommendations made by Richer Sounds colleagues
• Matched Funding: Matches money raised by Richer Sounds employees when donated to registered charitable organizations

Priority Areas

Based on available information, the Foundation supports:

• Human Rights: Addressing social justice and equality issues
• Animal Welfare: Supporting animal protection and welfare organizations
• Social Housing and Homelessness: Tackling housing deprivation
• Mental Health: Supporting mental health charities and services
• Community and Social Welfare: Broad community support initiatives
• Child Poverty: Organizations working to alleviate child poverty
• Support for People with Disabilities: Disability-focused charities

The Foundation explicitly supports UN Sustainable Development Goals 1 (No Poverty) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available. Contact the Foundation directly for clarification on eligibility.

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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by a board of 7 trustees (age range 47-67; 71.4% male, 28.6% female):

• David Barrie Robinson (appointed June 2021) - Also trustee of Persula Foundation
• Adam Cramer (appointed June 2022)
• Claudia Paulette Vernon (appointed June 2022)
• Neville Hart (appointed June 2022)
• David John Ward (appointed June 2022)
• Alan Davis (appointed October 2024) - Also trustee of International Friends of the National Gallery of Ireland
• Elizabeth Tait (appointed June 2025)

The Foundation is connected to the broader philanthropic vision of Julian Richer, founder of Richer Sounds, who has stated he has “a particular interest in supporting charities involved with issues such as human rights, animal welfare and social housing deprivation.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation accepts applications from charitable organizations. While there is no dedicated website or formal online application portal, applications can be submitted by contacting:

Email: abbieb@richersounds.com

Phone: 0161 475 0516

The Foundation considers applications from a variety of charitable organizations, with grant levels decided by trustees in accordance with the charity's objectives.

Employee Connection

The Foundation has a unique employee-driven component: Richer Sounds employees can recommend charitable organizations for funding, and the Foundation reviews these recommendations. Additionally, the Foundation operates a matched funding policy, matching money raised by Richer Sounds colleagues when donated to registered charitable organizations.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. Contact the Foundation directly for information about review periods.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

While specific application guidance is not publicly documented, the following factors are likely important based on the Foundation's structure and priorities:

• Alignment with Priority Areas: Applications addressing human rights, animal welfare, social housing, mental health, community welfare, child poverty, or disability support align with documented interests
• Connection to Richer Sounds Values: The Foundation operates on behalf of Richer Sounds employees, reflecting the company's commitment to fairness, equality, and social responsibility
• Clear Charitable Purpose: As a registered charity, the Foundation must ensure grants serve exclusively charitable purposes under English and Welsh law
• Focus on Poverty and Inequality: The Foundation's stated support for UN SDGs 1 and 10 suggests applications demonstrating impact on poverty and inequality reduction may be prioritized
• Registered Charitable Status: Organizations must be registered charities to be eligible for funding

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Foundation is relatively new (established 2021) and operates with significant financial resources (£898,554 in reserves as of 2024)
• There is no formal website or online application system—contact must be made directly via email or phone
• The employee connection is unique: having a Richer Sounds employee champion your cause or participate in fundraising could provide an advantage
• The Foundation distributed approximately £276,000 in grants in FY 2024, suggesting capacity for multiple grants
• Priorities align with founder Julian Richer's documented interests in fairness, social justice, human rights, and animal welfare
• The Foundation supports both organizations and individuals according to Charity Commission classifications
• Available examples show grants ranging from £12,000 to £20,000, though the Foundation may award grants outside this range

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Garfield Weston Foundation
• The Westminster Foundation
• The Swire Charitable Trust
• Milton Keynes Community Foundation Limited
• Essex Community Foundation
• THE CHILDWICK TRUST
• THE VEOLIA ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST
• The Taylor-Marsh Foundation
• The Beatrice Laing Trust
• BUPA Foundation
• The Hobson Charity Limited
• The Will Charitable Trust
• Camden Giving
• Heathrow Community Trust
• THE DAVID FAMILY FOUNDATION
• FRAZER TRUST
• Woodroffe Benton Foundation
• The Woodward Charitable Trust
• Anson Charitable Trust
• National Lottery

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - Richer Sounds Foundation (Charity Number 1196533/5184527)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5184527

Accessed: December 2025

1. Giving is Great - Richer Sounds Foundation Charity Factsheet

https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1196533

Accessed: December 2025

1. UK Charity Commission - Financial information for financial year ending 30 April 2024

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5184527/accounts-and-annual-returns

Accessed: December 2025

1. Information about Julian Richer's charitable priorities and Richer Sounds' corporate giving compiled from various web sources

Accessed: December 2025