Rotary Club Of Burnley & Burnley Pendleside
Charity Number: CUSTOM_028C7178
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £800,000+ raised over 15 years (approx. £53,000+ annually from Pendle Pub Walk alone)
- Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
- Decision Time: Not specified - varies by club
- Grant Range: £100 - £500 (typical), up to higher amounts in exceptional circumstances
- Geographic Focus: Burnley and Pendle, Lancashire (80% local, 20% international)
Contact Details
Rotary Club of Burnley
- Website: BurnleyClassicVehicleShow.org
- Phone: 01282 772781
- Meeting Location: Higher Trapp Hotel, Trapp Lane, Simonstone, Burnley, BB12 7QW
- Meeting Time: Mondays at 18:00
Rotary Club of Burnley Pendleside
- Website: www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=1143
- Meeting Location: Reedley
- Meeting Time: Wednesdays
District Level
- Rotary District 1190 (covering Cumbria & Lancashire)
- Website: rotary-ribi.org/districts
Overview
The Rotary Club of Burnley, founded on March 26th, 1920, has served the local community for over 103 years and received the Presidential Citation from Rotary International. The newer Rotary Club of Burnley Pendleside (over 40 years old) is known for organizing the annual Pendle Pub Walk, which has raised over £825,000 for charity over 15 years. Both clubs are part of Rotary District 1190 and operate as service organizations that fundraise to support local charities and community projects. They distribute the majority of their funds (80%) locally to Burnley and Pendle area organizations, with 20% supporting international causes like WaterAid and ShelterBox. Recent local beneficiaries include Pendleside Hospice, Angel House, British Heart Foundation, Burnley Food Bank, Derian House children's hospice, and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
Both clubs make grants from their fundraising activities rather than operating as traditional endowed foundations:
- Small Grants Programme: £100-£500 (typical range)
- Exceptional Grants: Over £500 in exceptional circumstances
- Application Method: Application forms available (contact clubs directly)
- Distribution: Rolling basis - no fixed deadlines publicly advertised
Priority Areas
- Local hospices and healthcare facilities
- Youth organizations (Scouts, youth groups, young carers)
- Schools and education
- Community infrastructure (e.g., defibrillators)
- Religious buildings requiring repairs
- Food banks and poverty alleviation
- Support for disadvantaged children (Christmas hampers)
- Health and wellbeing initiatives
- International humanitarian causes (WaterAid, ShelterBox)
What They Don't Fund
Based on typical Rotary Club criteria:
- Contributions to general funds for non-specific projects
- Continuing activities or ongoing operational costs
- Items of very specific benefit to an individual where other funding sources are adequate
- General mailshots from national charities with no local involvement

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Governance and Leadership
Rotary Club of Burnley
- President (2025-2026): Peter Baldwin
- Founded: March 26th, 1920
- Notable Achievement: Presidential Citation from Rotary International; Centenary celebration in April 2022
Rotary Club of Burnley Pendleside
- Key Member: Grahame Trudgill (creator of Pendle Pub Walk)
- Leadership rotates annually following Rotary International structure
Both clubs operate with rotating leadership, following the standard Rotary model where members serve as president for one-year terms. Trustees and committees make funding decisions based on applications received and club priorities.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Neither club operates a formal public grant application portal like traditional foundations. However, local charities and organizations can apply for funding by:
- Application Forms: Rotary Clubs in the UK typically require applicants to download and complete an application form (contact the clubs directly to request)
- Direct Contact: Reach out to club leadership through meeting venues or phone
- District Grants: For larger projects, apply through Rotary District 1190's district grant program (requires Rotary club sponsorship; qualification sessions held each autumn; deadline typically late April)
The clubs select charities to support through their fundraising activities, particularly through the Pendle Pub Walk proceeds, which generates approximately £50,000+ annually.
Decision Timeline
Not publicly specified. Rotary Clubs typically make funding decisions through regular club meetings and trustee discussions. As they fundraise throughout the year, grants may be awarded on a rolling basis as funds become available and worthy applications are received.
Success Rates
Not publicly disclosed. Grant decisions depend on available funds from fundraising activities and alignment with club priorities.
Reapplication Policy
Not publicly specified, but Rotary Clubs generally welcome applications from organizations they have supported before if there are new, specific projects requiring funding.
Application Success Factors
Based on Rotary Club criteria and the Burnley clubs' documented activities:
- Local Impact: The Burnley clubs keep 80% of funds local - emphasize how your project benefits the Burnley and Pendle community directly
- Specific Projects: Apply for specific one-off items or projects rather than general operating costs. Examples of funded projects include: defibrillators for villages, church repairs, Christmas hampers, activity days for young carers
- Measurable Outcomes: Rotary Clubs need to confirm grants are spent for the purpose provided - be prepared to report back on project completion
- Youth Focus: Both clubs have demonstrated support for youth organizations and young people's activities
- Healthcare & Wellbeing: Strong track record supporting hospices, hospitals, and health initiatives (Pendleside Hospice is the primary beneficiary of Pendle Pub Walk)
- Grant Size Alignment: Most grants are £100-£500; requesting amounts within this range may improve success likelihood
- Avoid Generic Requests: Don't send general mailshots; tailor applications to show understanding of local Rotary activities and priorities
Accountability Requirement: As stewards of charitable funds, the clubs require recipients to confirm grants have been spent as intended upon project completion.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Two Separate Clubs: Rotary Club of Burnley (Mondays) and Rotary Club of Burnley Pendleside (Wednesdays) are distinct organizations - you may approach both
- Not a Traditional Foundation: These are service clubs that fundraise and redistribute to local causes, rather than endowed grant-making trusts
- Application Required: Despite informal structure, local organizations can apply using application forms - contact clubs directly
- Think Small & Specific: Most grants are £100-£500 for specific items or one-off projects, not ongoing operational support
- Local Connection Essential: Demonstrate clear Burnley/Pendle community benefit - 80% of funds stay local
- Healthcare & Youth Priority: Track record shows strong support for hospices, hospitals, young people, and vulnerable groups
- Consider District Grants: For larger projects (over £500), explore Rotary District 1190's district grant program which may offer higher amounts
- Build Relationships: Attending community events like the Pendle Pub Walk or Classic Car Show could help get your organization on the clubs' radar
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References
- Rotary Club of Burnley official page: https://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=1142
- Rotary Club of Burnley Pendleside official page: https://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=1143
- Pendle Pub Walk website: http://www.pendlepubwalk.co.uk/about/rcbp
- “Celebrating 15 Years of the Pendle Pub Walk,” East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, February 2024: https://www.chamberelancs.co.uk/2024/02/pendleside-hospice-celebrating-15-years-of-the-pendle-pub-walk/
- “Burnley Pendleside Rotary Club donates 700 selection boxes to hospital staff,” Burnley Express, December 2023: https://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/people/burnley-pendleside-rotary-club-donates-700-selection-boxes-to-hospital-staff-3503900
- Rotary District 1190 Foundation page: https://rotary-ribi.org/districts/page.php?PgID=473409&DistrictNo=1190
- Rotary Club of Lochaber Funding Application Form (example UK Rotary application process): https://lochaberrotary.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/FUNDING-APPLICATION-FORM-INDIVIDUALS.pdf