The Helen Roll Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £200,000-£300,000
• Success Rate: Highly competitive - only 1-2 new charities funded annually
• Decision Time: Trustees meet annually after February 15 deadline
• Average Grant: £6,600-£10,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Oxfordshire and West Suffolk
• Application Window: December 1 - February 15

Contact Details

Website: https://helenroll.co.uk

Email: helenrollapplication@gmail.com

Phone: 01865 559900

Application Portal: Download application form from https://helenroll.co.uk/application

Overview

The Helen Roll Charity was established in 1992 by Jenny Williamson of Ramsden, Oxfordshire, following an inheritance from her mother, Enid Watts. Named after Jenny's grandmother Lady Helen Roll (whose family founded Pearl Assurance Company), the charity was created to help a wide range of causes. Jenny's husband Dick Williamson, a lawyer who graduated from Pembroke College, Oxford, became chair and “the driving force behind it,” continuing to lead the trust until his death in 2022. Upon his death, Dick donated his inheritance from Jenny to the trust, fulfilling what he said were "Jenny's wishes." The charity currently distributes approximately £200,000-£300,000 annually among approximately 30 charities, primarily in Oxfordshire and West Suffolk. The charity received additional funding from the Joyce Tudge Estate and remains in a healthy financial position. Unlike many small trusts, the charity operates with a highly stable funding portfolio, maintaining long-term relationships with recipient organizations, with room for only 1-2 new charities each year.

Funding Priorities

Grant Approach

The Helen Roll Charity operates a single grant program with an annual application cycle from December 1 to February 15. The charity makes grants ranging from approximately £5,000 to £10,000 to registered charities, distributed among about 30 organizations annually.

Key characteristics:

• Fixed annual deadline (February 15)
• Focus on specific projects, not core costs or general expenses
• Long-term relationships with most grantees
• Only 1-2 new charities added each year
• Must be registered or exempt charities (no direct grants to individuals)

Priority Areas

Based on the charity's stated preferences and current beneficiaries, funding priorities include:

Social Welfare & Support Services:

• Homelessness support and services
• Carer support organizations
• Citizens Advice services
• Stroke support and rehabilitation

Health & Medical:

• Hospice care
• Sick children's support services
• Disability support (including deafblind services)
• Wheelchair sports and adaptive athletics

Arts & Culture:

• Music education and performance (conservatoires, awards schemes)
• Museums and heritage (particularly Oxford University institutions)
• Concert programming and accessibility

Environment & Animals:

• Animal welfare charities
• Conservation organizations (RSPB)
• Botanical gardens

Education & Youth:

• University colleges and libraries
• Special educational needs
• Youth development programs

Holiday & Respite Care:

• Holidays for those who cannot afford them
• Respite services for disabled individuals and carers

Geographic Focus:

The charity explicitly states it gives grants “mainly to Oxfordshire and West Suffolk charities,” though its beneficiary list includes some national organizations with local delivery.

What They Don't Fund

• Core costs or general expenses - Only specific projects considered
• Direct grants to individuals - Must operate through registered charities
• Organizations outside Oxfordshire/West Suffolk - Limited exceptions for special cases
• Capital appeals or building projects - Not explicitly mentioned in funding priorities
• Multi-year commitments - Annual application cycle requires reapplication

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees (as of 2024)

Stephen George Williamson - Chair (appointed June 11, 2004)

Son of founders Jenny and Dick Williamson, continuing the family's commitment to the trust.

Patrick John Richard Stopford BAOxon, CFA (appointed June 11, 2004)

Also serves as trustee of The Stowe School Foundation.

Christine Reid (appointed August 6, 2002)

The longest-serving current trustee.

Fiona Weiss (appointed March 19, 2018)

Jessica Mannix (appointed March 19, 2018)

Catherine Staples (appointed November 8, 2021)

Sarah Gunn (appointed November 8, 2021)

Trustee Discretion

According to the charity's governing documents, trustees have “absolute discretion to make donations to charitable institutions at such time or times and in such a manner as they think fit.” No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Historical Leadership Quote

Dick Williamson, the late chair, demonstrated the family's deep commitment when he "donated his inheritance from Jenny to the Trust, which he said were Jenny's wishes" upon his death in 2022.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Window: December 1 - February 15 annually

Application Method:

1. Visit https://helenroll.co.uk/application
2. Download the application form (available in .docx format)
3. Complete the form including bank details
4. Submit during the application window to helenrollapplication@gmail.com

Application Form: The charity provides a specific application document titled “Application for a grant from the Helen Roll Charity” which must be downloaded and completed.

Important: Applications must include bank details and be submitted within the specified window. Late applications are not accepted.

Decision Timeline

• Application deadline: February 15
• Decision timeline: Trustees meet annually after the February deadline to review applications
• Notification method: Not publicly specified, but assumed to be via email
• Estimated timeframe: Likely 2-4 months post-deadline (decisions expected by spring/early summer)

Success Rates

The Helen Roll Charity is highly competitive for new applicants:

• Annual distribution: £200,000-£300,000
• Total recipients: Approximately 30 charities
• New charities admitted: 1-2 per year maximum
• Implied success rate: Less than 5% for new applicants (given that 28-29 slots go to existing grantees)

The charity explicitly states it “often continues to make grants to charities over long periods” with “only room for grants to one or two newcomers each year.”

Reapplication Policy

The charity does not publish an explicit reapplication policy. However, given the annual application cycle and fixed deadline structure, unsuccessful applicants may reasonably apply again in subsequent years. The long-term relationships with existing grantees suggest that once funded, organizations have a strong likelihood of continued support if they reapply.

Application Success Factors

The Helen Roll Charity's funding model is based on long-term relationships with a stable cohort of organizations, making it exceptionally difficult for new applicants to break in. Success requires:

Critical Alignment Factors

Geographic location is paramount: The charity explicitly funds “mainly Oxfordshire and West Suffolk charities.” Being based in or delivering services in these regions is essential.

Project specificity: The charity states it funds “specific projects rather than core costs / general expenses.” Applications must clearly articulate a discrete project with defined outcomes, not requests for general operating support.

Cause alignment with founding vision: The charity's founding priorities favored:

• Homelessness support
• Holidays for those who can't afford them
• Small local institutions
• “Difficult-to-fund causes”
• Animal charities

While the charity has expanded its beneficiary base, these original interests likely still resonate with trustees.

Understanding the Competitive Landscape

With only 1-2 new charities admitted annually from potentially hundreds of applications, applicants must recognize they are competing for extremely limited slots. Reviewing the current beneficiary list reveals the types of organizations the trustees favor:

• Mix of social welfare, arts, environment, and education
• Balance between small local charities and national organizations with local impact
• Both well-established institutions (Oxford University museums, Pembroke College) and grassroots organizations (Oxford Food Hub, At The Bus)

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Given the competitive nature and trustees' absolute discretion, successful new applicants likely demonstrate:

1. Clear Oxfordshire/West Suffolk presence: Strong roots or significant impact in these specific regions
2. Filling a gap: Offering services or addressing needs not currently represented in the existing beneficiary portfolio
3. Personal connections: While not explicitly stated, the founding family's connections to Oxford University and the legal profession may be relevant
4. Long-term viability: Evidence of sustainability beyond a single grant, as trustees invest in ongoing relationships
5. Project-based approach: Well-defined projects with measurable outcomes rather than general support requests

Quality Over Quantity

The charity's stable, curated approach to grantmaking suggests trustees carefully select organizations they believe in for the long term. Applications should emphasize:

• Organizational credibility and track record
• Specific project details with clear objectives
• Why this project matters to Oxfordshire or West Suffolk communities
• How the grant would make a meaningful difference
• Potential for future collaboration

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Manage expectations: With only 1-2 new charities funded annually, this is one of the most competitive small trusts in the region. Apply, but don't rely on success.
• Geographic fit is non-negotiable: Unless your charity operates primarily in Oxfordshire or West Suffolk, do not apply.
• Project focus required: General operating support requests will not succeed. Define a specific project with clear deliverables.
• Long-term thinking: If successful, you're likely securing a multi-year funding relationship. Emphasize sustainability and ongoing impact.
• Review the beneficiary list: Study the 30+ current recipients on the charity's website to understand trustee preferences and identify gaps your organization might fill.
• Timing is critical: The December 1 - February 15 window is strict. Plan ahead to submit a strong application within this timeframe.
• Keep it local: Even if you're a national organization, emphasize your Oxfordshire or West Suffolk footprint and community impact.

References

1. The Helen Roll Charity official website - About Us page. https://helenroll.co.uk/about-us-1
2. The Helen Roll Charity official website - Application page. https://helenroll.co.uk/application
3. The Helen Roll Charity official website - Beneficiaries page. https://helenroll.co.uk/beneficiaries
4. The Helen Roll Charity official website - Financial Records page. https://helenroll.co.uk/financial-records
5. Charity Commission for England and Wales - The Helen Roll Charity (Charity Number 299108). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/299108
6. Charity Commission Register - Trustees information for Charity 299108. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/299108/trustees
7. Giving is Great - The Helen Roll Charity Factsheet. https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=299108