The Clive Richards Foundation

Charity Number: 327155

Annual Expenditure: £1.0M
Geographic Focus: Herefordshire

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £500,000 - £1,500,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Variable (trustees meet 6 times per year)
  • Grant Range: No minimum or maximum (grants have ranged from £9,000 to £350,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Within 100 miles of Hereford city centre (exceptional applications outside this area considered)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.cliverichardsfoundation.com/

Email: admin@cliverichardsfoundation.com

Phone: 01432 820663

Address: Lower Hope Estate, Ullingswick, Hereford

Overview

The Clive Richards Foundation (formerly The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity) was established in 1986 by Clive Richards OBE DL, a serial entrepreneur, and his wife Sylvia Richards, a Chartered Accountant. The Foundation aims to 'make a difference' by supporting education, healthcare, heritage, arts, and religious causes throughout the UK and beyond. With an annual income of approximately £1.1 million (2024), the Foundation distributes between £500,000 and £1.5 million annually in grants. Following Clive Richards' death in April 2021, Sylvia Richards continues as a trustee, alongside family members including granddaughter Hermione Richards. The Foundation has been recognized as a Million Pound Donor and has been a long-term supporter of major medical institutions including Cobalt Health, supporting diagnostic scanning projects since 2013.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

UK Projects: Applications accepted on a rolling basis through a two-stage process

  • No minimum or maximum grant levels
  • Matched funding contribution normally expected
  • Recent examples: £350,000 (Birmingham Children's Hospital bi-plane scanner), £275,000 (Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham), £11,000 (Changing Lives Malawi facilities 2024)

Student Bursary Scheme: Support for UK undergraduate students facing financial hardship

  • Indirect support only (no longer supports students directly)
  • Provides lifeline funding to approximately 50 students annually

Research Projects: UK-based research applications accepted

  • Applications currently open

Overseas Projects: UK-sponsored international work considered

  • Focus on English-speaking countries in Africa and India
  • Geographic restrictions apply

Priority Areas

The Foundation distributes funding across four main areas:

  • Education (35%): Schools, colleges, environmental education, creative development programs
  • Medical/Healthcare (35%): Hospitals, hospices, medical imaging equipment, cancer screening programs
  • Heritage (15%): Preservation and conservation projects
  • Arts (15%): Cultural organizations and programs

Additional priority considerations:

  • Organizations supporting people with disabilities
  • Churches and religious institutions
  • Smaller charitable organizations where grants will “make a difference”
  • Projects that can leverage additional funding sources

What They Don't Fund

  • Operating costs (generally not supported)
  • Direct support to individual students (must go through Bursary Scheme)
  • Organizations outside 100-mile radius of Hereford (unless exceptional circumstances)
  • Large organizations where the grant would not make a significant difference
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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees:

  • Sylvia Richards (Chartered Accountant): Co-founder and trustee, actively involved in Foundation activities, including launching major medical equipment donations such as Cobalt's PET/CT scanner in Cheltenham
  • Hermione Richards: Young trustee and granddaughter of Clive Richards. A University of Bristol graduate working in Human Resources specializing in early careers and outreach in London's finance sector. "She is honoured to serve as a young trustee at the Clive Richards Foundation, and enthusiastic about contributing to the charity's impactful work."
  • Julian: Friend of Clive and Sylvia Richards for over 30 years, “delighted to be able to support the Foundation in delivering its objectives”
  • Karen: Local Herefordshire trustee, became Trustee and Director in 2017

Former Trustees (now Stage 1 Grants Advisers):

  • Peter Henry
  • Liz

Legacy: The Foundation continues the philanthropic vision of Clive Richards OBE DL (d. 2021), who was recognized for his exceptional charitable giving and served as Patron of Cobalt Health. The Foundation remains funded by Sylvia Richards and investment income.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Two-Stage Application Process:

  1. Stage 1 - Eligibility Check: Complete the Eligibility Checklist on the Foundation's website. If eligible, the Foundation emails a Stage 1 application form to the applicant
  2. Stage 2: Applicants successful at Stage 1 are invited to provide further information

Important Notes:

  • Application forms should be completed and returned within 3 months
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis (no fixed deadlines)
  • Online eligibility check available at cliverichardsfoundation.com/how-to-apply

Decision Timeline

  • Trustees meet 6 times per year to consider applications
  • Timeline varies depending on meeting schedule
  • No specific notification timeframes publicly disclosed
  • Applicants should plan for multiple months between submission and decision

Success Rates

Success rate data not publicly disclosed by the Foundation.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy not explicitly stated in available sources. Applicants should contact the Foundation directly for guidance on unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

“Make a Difference” Philosophy: The Foundation explicitly states it "wants its grants to 'make a difference' and tends only to support smaller organisations who can demonstrate that their project proposal will achieve this."

Leverage Effect: “The Foundation also likes its grant funding to be used to attract other grants” - demonstrating how your grant will unlock additional funding is highly valued.

Matched Funding: “The Foundation normally expects a matched funding contribution” - show committed match funding in your application.

Examples of Funded Projects

  • Medical Equipment: £350,000 for Birmingham Children's Hospital bi-plane scanner (enables dual-plane x-ray imaging)
  • Cancer Screening: Long-term support for lung cancer screening programs in Manchester, Hull, Newcastle, and Gatesfield
  • Hospital Infrastructure: CT scanner for Hereford County Hospital to reduce waiting times
  • International Development: £11,000 to Changing Lives Malawi for staff accommodation and sanitation facilities (2024)
  • Research: Institute of Translational Medicine Imaging Centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (£275,000)
  • Medical Imaging: Cobalt Health PET/CT scanner project (part of £2.6m installation)
  • Heritage: £9,000 to Nelson Society and National Museum of the Royal Navy

Strategic Guidance

Geographic Considerations: While the 100-mile radius from Hereford is stated, “exceptional applications outside of the geographic limit, and UK-sponsored foreign applications will be considered by the Trustees at their sole discretion.” If outside this area, make a compelling case for why your project is exceptional.

Organization Size Matters: Focus on how your smaller organization will be significantly impacted by the grant - this is more compelling than simply being a good cause.

Demonstrate Impact: The Foundation funded a CT scanner specifically to “reduce waiting times and help patients get their diagnosis more quickly” - quantify the tangible difference your project will make.

Application Tips

  • Complete the eligibility checklist thoroughly before applying
  • Respond within the 3-month window for Stage 1 forms
  • Clearly articulate matched funding sources and amounts
  • Explain how the grant will leverage additional resources
  • Focus on measurable outcomes that demonstrate significant impact
  • Align your application language with priority areas (Education, Healthcare, Heritage, Arts)
  • For organizations near the geographic boundary, address proximity to Hereford
  • For disability support organizations, schools, churches, and arts groups, emphasize alignment with stated priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Size and Impact Matter Most: The Foundation explicitly prioritizes smaller organizations where grants will make a demonstrable difference. If you're a small charity, emphasize how significant this funding would be for your work.
  • Match Funding is Expected: Come prepared with committed matched funding sources. Applications demonstrating the grant will leverage additional resources are particularly valued.
  • Geographic Focus is Real But Flexible: The 100-mile radius from Hereford is a genuine constraint, but trustees will consider exceptional cases. If outside this area, build a strong case for why your project warrants special consideration.
  • Multi-Stage Process Requires Patience: With trustees meeting only 6 times annually and a two-stage application process, build significant lead time into your funding timeline (likely several months minimum).
  • Healthcare and Medical Equipment Success: The Foundation has a strong track record of funding major medical equipment (£350,000+ grants). Healthcare organizations seeking diagnostic or treatment equipment should strongly consider applying.
  • Relationship Building Through Cobalt Example: The Foundation has supported Cobalt Health since 2013 across multiple projects, demonstrating value in long-term relationships. First-time applicants should consider how to build toward ongoing partnership.
  • Overseas Work Possible: Despite geographic restrictions, the Foundation supports overseas projects through UK-sponsored organizations, particularly in English-speaking African countries and India. International development organizations shouldn't automatically exclude themselves.

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