Richmond Foundation

Charity Number: 200069

Annual Expenditure: £3.9M
Richmond Upon Thames, Surrey

Contact Info

Website:www.richmondfoundation.org.uk

Phone:020 8948 5701

Email:finance@richmondfoundation.org.uk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £2,500,000 (2023/24)
  • Success Rate: 75% overall (56% Gateway, 92% Core, 92% Project)
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months (quarterly committees)
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £300,000
  • Geographic Focus: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (TW9, TW10, SW13, SW14)

Contact Details

Website: www.richmondfoundation.org.uk

Email: finance@richmondfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 020 8948 5701

Address: The Vestry House, 21 Paradise Road, Richmond TW9 1SA

Pre-application support: First-time organisational applicants must email the grants team to discuss proposals before applying

Overview

Richmond Foundation (charity number 200069) has been serving the Richmond community for over 230 years, originating from a royal gift made by King George III and Queen Charlotte in 1786. The foundation holds assets generating approximately £1.3 million annually from investments and £1.2 million from property rentals. In 2023/24, they distributed £2.5 million in grants supporting individuals and 72 funded partner organisations, achieving a combined direct and indirect impact of £3.7 million. Under CEO Phil Barron's leadership since 2021, the foundation has transformed from reactive to proactive, collaborative, and long-term funding, launching four new grant streams and committing £1 million over five years to narrow the education attainment gap for disadvantaged children. The foundation exclusively supports residents and organisations in postcodes TW9, TW10, SW13, and SW14.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

For Organisations:

  • Gateway Grants: Funding for pilot or time-limited projects, or organisations newer to Richmond Foundation. 56% success rate. Suitable for organisations with a track record but piloting new initiatives, or those considered higher risk.
  • Core Grants: Multi-year core funding (three years with annual renewal conditions) to support strategic development and strengthen Richmond's voluntary and community sector. 92% success rate. Based on organisational development plans.
  • Project Grants: Multi-year funding (three years with annual renewal conditions) for specific projects. 92% success rate. Based on proportion of users supported in the benefit area.
  • Partnership Grants: Large-scale strategic investments (example: £1 million over five years for “Narrowing the Gap” education initiative launched January 2025).

For Individuals:

  • Crisis Grants: £300-£600 depending on household composition (adult-only: £300; one dependent: £500; two or more dependents: £600). Applications only accepted through referral agencies (Achieving for Children, Age UK Richmond, Citizens Advice Richmond, Richmond AID).
  • Education Catalyst Grants: Support for course fees, equipment, childcare, and travel expenses for adults in low-income households or unemployed, without a level 6 qualification, pursuing recognised qualifications. Quarterly deadlines (August, October, January, April).
  • Third Sector Catalyst Grants: Personal and organisational development for volunteers and employees of Richmond Foundation funded partners. Quarterly deadlines.
  • Child Support Grants: Distributed directly to schools in the benefit area for subsidising residential journeys, class visits, breakfast/after school/holiday clubs, uniform costs, and therapies.

Priority Areas

  1. Accessing support and advice - Helping people access benefits, grants, and services (£781,184 in 2023/24)
  2. Reducing inequalities in education - Supporting disadvantaged children, young people, and low-income adults
  3. Improving health outcomes - Reducing health inequalities (£609,514 in 2023/24)
  4. Enhancing community cohesion - Combating isolation and loneliness, providing inclusive community spaces (£557,934 in 2023/24)
  5. Strengthening the voluntary and community sector - Supporting infrastructure and capacity building

What They Don't Fund

  • Applications from outside benefit area postcodes (TW9, TW10, SW13, SW14)
  • Anything that is the primary responsibility of statutory bodies
  • Organisations that are not registered charities or properly constituted not-for-profit organisations
  • Medical research
  • Animal welfare
  • Projects of a political nature
  • Retrospective funding (already paid expenses)
  • Individuals with existing degrees (for Education Catalyst)

Governance and Leadership

CEO: Phil Barron - Joined as CEO in 2021 after leading the start-up of Young Westminster Foundation and serving as Chair of Trustees at RefugeeYouth. A Clore Leadership Fellow who also works as an Executive Coach supporting charity leaders.

Grants Director: Sarah

Board of Trustees includes:

  • Richard (joined 2019) - Former Partner in global consulting firm, specialist in change management
  • Joanna - Psychiatrist turned pharmaceutical industry leader
  • Owen (trustee since 2015) - Partner/Consultant at Winckworth Sherwood LLP, works with education and charity clients
  • Ruth - Extensive charitable sector experience including Director roles at London Catalyst and Ashley Family Foundation
  • Mary (joined 2023)
  • Sarah (joined 2023) - Commercial real estate solicitor

Key Leadership Quote: Phil Barron stated, “Our role as a grant maker is to enable, be agile and responsive to our funded partners. Charities continue to face financial pressures, stretched services and rising needs. We recognise the critical role they play in our community, navigating through this period of uncertainty with resilience and adaptability.”

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Eligibility Check: Take the online Eligibility Quiz at richmondfoundation.org.uk to determine your grant stream
  2. Pre-application Discussion: First-time organisational applicants must email the grants team to discuss proposals
  3. Review Guidance: Study relevant grants pages, FAQs, and assessment criteria before applying
  4. Complete Application: Select application type from dropdown menu (Gateway, Core, Project, Education Catalyst, Third Sector Catalyst). Applications can be saved and returned to via email link
  5. Alternative Formats: Request alternative application forms via email or phone

Decision Timeline

For Organisations (Gateway, Core, Project):

  • Grants Committee meets quarterly (March, June, September, December)
  • Typical timeline: 3-4 months from submission to decision
  • Multi-year funded organisations can apply up to six months before usual application date

For Education/Third Sector Catalyst:

  • Quarterly application deadlines: August, October, January, April
  • Committee meetings: March, June, September, December
  • Decisions communicated within 5 working days after committee meeting

Success Rates

Overall organisational success rate: 75% (2023/24)

By grant type:

  • Gateway: 56%
  • Core: 92%
  • Project: 92%

In 2023/24, the foundation made 178 grants totaling £10.7 million (including multi-year commitments) to 79 recipient organisations.

Reapplication Policy

No explicit waiting period found in published guidance. Multi-year funded organisations coming to the end of their grant can apply up to six months before their usual application date. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the grants team to discuss feedback and future opportunities.

Application Success Factors

What Richmond Foundation Values:

  1. Long-term collaborative partnerships: The foundation has shifted to multi-year funding, moving 12 organisations from annual to three-year grants in 2023/24, with 40 organisations now on core funding.
  1. Local focus and impact: Must demonstrate clear benefit to residents in TW9, TW10, SW13, SW14 postcodes. For Project grants, clearly show the proportion of users from the benefit area.
  1. Alignment with strategic priorities: Applications should directly address one or more of their five priority areas, particularly projects tackling inequality and hidden deprivation.
  1. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The foundation actively collects DEI data and values transparent reporting on organisational diversity and leadership.
  1. Evidence of need and outcomes: Demonstrate clear understanding of local needs and how your project will achieve measurable outcomes.
  1. Collaboration: Projects involving partnerships with other local organisations are viewed favorably, as evidenced by the OneRichmond initiative and partnership grants.
  1. Financial sustainability: Show you've explored other funding sources and demonstrate organisational stability (particularly important for Core grants).

Recent Funded Projects:

  • Darell Primary School: Leading integration of family support services across six primary schools to address socioeconomic challenges
  • Richmond Park Academy: Developing family support activities for Year 7 transition, improving attendance and family service access
  • Barnes Primary School: Expanding professional development in occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, and emotional wellbeing for East Richmond primary schools

Direct Advice from the Foundation:

Phil Barron emphasizes: “We wanted to be ambitious and took on the challenge to make our charity the best it can be.” The foundation values organisations that demonstrate ambition, adaptability, and resilience in the face of community challenges.

The foundation's approach is to be “agile and responsive,” suggesting applications should demonstrate how organisations will adapt to changing community needs.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

  • Applying without first discussing your proposal (for first-time organisational applicants)
  • Not clearly demonstrating benefit to the specific benefit area postcodes
  • Requesting retrospective funding
  • Applying for activities that are statutory responsibilities
  • Insufficient evidence of exploring other funding sources (particularly for individual Education Catalyst grants)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Geographic specificity is non-negotiable: Your project must demonstrably serve residents of TW9, TW10, SW13, or SW14. For Project grants, quantify the proportion of beneficiaries from these postcodes.
  1. Gateway is your entry point: If you're new to Richmond Foundation or piloting something innovative, apply for Gateway grants first. The 56% success rate reflects higher risk-taking, and successful delivery can lead to Core or Project funding with 92% success rates.
  1. Multi-year thinking wins: With 40 organisations now on three-year core funding, demonstrate long-term strategic vision rather than short-term project thinking. Show how your work will create sustained impact.
  1. Engage before applying: First-time applicants must contact the grants team before applying. Use this conversation strategically to test your idea and understand what they're looking for.
  1. Collaboration is valued highly: The foundation supports collaborative initiatives (OneRichmond, Narrowing the Gap partnership). Show how you're working with other local organisations rather than operating in isolation.
  1. DEI transparency matters: Be prepared to share information about your organisation's diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. The foundation actively collects this data as part of their strategic approach.
  1. Match the funding cycle: With quarterly committee meetings, plan your application timing carefully. If you need funding to start in September, apply by the June committee deadline at the latest, allowing 3-4 months for decision-making.

Similar Funders

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References

  1. Richmond Foundation official website - Our Funding section: https://www.richmondfoundation.org.uk/our-funding/
  2. Richmond Foundation Annual Report 2024, published December 2024: https://issuu.com/richmondfoundation/docs/richmond_foundation_-_annual_report_2024 and https://www.richmondfoundation.org.uk/our-2024-annual-report/
  3. Richmond Foundation Charity Commission Registration: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/200069
  4. 360Giving GrantNav - Richmond Foundation grants database: https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-200069
  5. “Navigating Change: Phil Barron on reshaping strategies,” Richmond Foundation website: https://www.richmondfoundation.org.uk/navigating-change/
  6. “£1m to Narrow the Attainment Gap,” Richmond Foundation website: https://www.richmondfoundation.org.uk/richmond-foundation-invests-1m-to-narrow-the-attainment-gap/
  7. Narrowing the Gap programme page, Richmond Foundation website: https://www.richmondfoundation.org.uk/narrowing-the-gap/
  8. OneRichmond initiative page, Richmond Foundation website: https://www.richmondfoundation.org.uk/onerichmond/
  9. “Foundation overseeing 18th century royal gift changes name,” Civil Society, December 2024: https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/foundation-overseeing-18th-century-royal-gift-changes-name.html
  10. Richmond Foundation application guidance pages: https://www.richmondfoundation.org.uk/our-funding/apply/