The Eranda Rothschild Foundation

Charity Number: 255650

Annual Expenditure: £4.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £4-5 million
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £200,000
  • Decision Time: Several months (following board meetings)
  • Applications Per Year: 50-60 organisations funded
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide (priority to Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire for local charities)
  • Application Deadlines: 30 April, 31 August, 31 December

Contact Details

Website: http://www.erandarothschild.org/

Email: secretary@erandarothschild.org

Phone: 01296 689157

Online Application Portal: https://erandarothschild.grantapps.net/priorities

For queries about applications, contact secretary@erandarothschild.org.

Overview

The Eranda Rothschild Foundation was established in 1967 by Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, who created the foundation's name as an acronym of his and his siblings' names (Evelyn, Renée, and Anne). Since its founding, the foundation has donated over £74 million to a wide range of UK charities. The foundation distributes £4-5 million annually across three core areas: medical research, education, and the arts, with social welfare also supported particularly for work known to trustees. The foundation operates with a rigorous approach to philanthropy, believing that “charity is a business” requiring “personal dedication, professionalism and attention to detail.” It receives significantly more applications than it can fund, making it a highly competitive funder. Recent notable grants include over £1 million to Nottingham Trent University in 2024 for research into non-invasive treatment for Alzheimer's, dementia, and Parkinson's.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant programme with three annual deadlines rather than separate streams:

  • Main Grant Programme: £5,000 - £200,000+ (applications via online portal)
  • Application Method: Rolling basis with fixed deadlines (30 April, 31 August, 31 December)
  • Grant Awards: Supports 50-60 organisations annually

Priority Areas

Medical Research

  • Original medical research projects
  • Continuation of existing research
  • Medical welfare work, particularly projects known to trustees
  • Recent example: £1 million to Nottingham Trent University (2024) for ultrasound and light therapy research for neurodegenerative diseases

Education

  • Support for young professionals in medicine, science, and business
  • Programmes supporting disadvantaged young people
  • Apprenticeship schemes
  • University-based initiatives
  • Recent example: Economist Educational Foundation for Burnet News Club Awards

Arts

  • Education and outreach work of arts charities
  • Projects prioritised if well-known to the Foundation
  • Examples from case studies: Chickenshed, Creative Dimension Trust

Social Welfare

  • Considered under the medical theme
  • Priority given to work known to trustees
  • Examples from case studies: Children's Air Ambulance

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals (only registered charities)
  • Organisations that are not registered charities
  • Capital appeals (unless of personal significance to trustees)

Geographic Preferences

  • UK-wide funding
  • Priority given to local charities in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild - Trustee
  • Mr Anthony de Rothschild - Trustee
  • Ms Jessica de Rothschild - Trustee
  • Sir John Peace - Trustee (appointed 2012)
  • Mr Ben Elliot - Trustee

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Philanthropic Philosophy

The foundation's approach is encapsulated in their belief that “charity is a business” requiring “personal dedication, professionalism and attention to detail.” The trustees view societal impact as being as important as financial success, maintaining the Rothschild family's philanthropic tradition dating back to the early 1800s.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Application Method: Online application portal (preferred method)
  • Portal: https://erandarothschild.grantapps.net/priorities
  • Annual Deadlines: 30 April, 31 August, 31 December
  • Frequency: Charities should make only one application per year
  • Acknowledgment: All online applications are acknowledged automatically on receipt

Decision Timeline

  • Board Meetings: Three times annually (February/March, June/July, October/November)
  • Decision Time: Several months after application deadline
  • Notification: Every applicant will be notified of the decision
  • Applications submitted by each deadline are reviewed at the subsequent board meeting

Success Rates

The foundation always receives more applications than it is able to fund, making this a highly competitive funding opportunity. With approximately 50-60 organisations funded annually from a larger pool of applicants, the success rate is relatively low, though specific percentages are not disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Charities should make only one application per year. The foundation does not explicitly state a waiting period for unsuccessful applicants before reapplying, but the one-application-per-year rule applies to all applicants regardless of previous outcomes.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Indicators

Relationship with the Foundation: The foundation explicitly states it “prioritises work which is well known to the Foundation” across all three funding areas (medical research, education, and arts). This suggests that having an existing relationship or connection to the trustees significantly improves success chances.

Geographic Alignment: For locally-focused charities, being based in Buckinghamshire or Bedfordshire provides a clear advantage, as the foundation gives priority to these areas.

Professional Approach: Given the foundation's belief that “charity is a business” requiring “personal dedication, professionalism and attention to detail,” applications should demonstrate strong project management, clear outcomes, and professional presentation.

Recent Funded Projects

  • Nottingham Trent University (2024): £1 million for research into non-invasive treatment for Alzheimer's, dementia, and Parkinson's using ultrasound and light therapies
  • Economist Educational Foundation: Support for Burnet News Club Awards
  • Cambridge University Judge Business School: Sir Evelyn de Rothschild Professorship of Finance
  • Children's Air Ambulance: Medical welfare support
  • Ride High: Education support for young people
  • Chickenshed: Arts education and outreach
  • Creative Dimension Trust: Arts education and outreach

Standing Out

  1. Demonstrate connections: If possible, highlight any existing relationships with the foundation or trustees
  2. Align with core themes: Clearly position your project within medical research, education, or arts, with emphasis on how it fits the specific sub-priorities (e.g., supporting young professionals, education/outreach work)
  3. Professional presentation: Given their business-like approach to charity, ensure your application demonstrates strong governance, clear outcomes, and professional project management
  4. Long-term impact: The foundation supports both original research and continuation of existing work, suggesting they value sustainable, long-term impact
  5. Geographic relevance: For local charities, emphasize Buckinghamshire/Bedfordshire connection

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Prior connection matters: The foundation explicitly prioritises work “well known” to them across all funding areas—building a relationship before applying or demonstrating existing connections is advantageous
  • Limited opportunities: With only 50-60 grants from a much larger applicant pool and one application per charity per year, competition is intense—only apply if there's strong alignment
  • Professional approach essential: The foundation's philosophy that “charity is a business” means applications must demonstrate professionalism, strong governance, and clear outcomes
  • Flexible grant sizes: With grants ranging from under £5,000 to over £200,000, the foundation can support projects of varying scales—tailor your ask to genuine project needs
  • Plan for long timelines: Applications can take several months to be decided, as they're reviewed at quarterly board meetings—factor this into project planning
  • Geographic advantage: If working locally in Buckinghamshire or Bedfordshire, emphasize this connection as it provides priority consideration
  • Thematic clarity: Clearly position projects within one of the three core themes (medical research, education, arts) and align with specific sub-priorities to demonstrate fit

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