The Hymans Robertson Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~£268,000 (income 2023/24); cumulative £1.2m+ distributed since inception (forecasted to reach £1.4m by March 2025)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not specified for partnerships; Community Fund reviewed within weeks of deadline
• Grant Range: £140 (average bursary) - £1,000 (Community Fund) for small grants; multi-year partnership funding varies
• Geographic Focus: Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, Birmingham (and Scottish Borders for select partners)

Contact Details

• Website: www.hymansrobertsonfoundation.org
• Email: HRFoundation@hymans.co.uk
• Phone: 0131 656 5000
• Address: Hymans Robertson LLP, 30 Semple Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8BL

Overview

The Hymans Robertson Foundation is an independent registered charity established in 2016 by Hymans Robertson, a leading pensions and benefits consultancy. The Foundation receives 2% of Hymans Robertson LLP's budgeted pre-tax management accounting profits annually. Registered as charity number 1168951 (England & Wales) and SC046931 (Scotland), the Foundation operates as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

The Foundation's mission is to make a positive impact on disadvantaged young people and communities across the UK, with a strategic focus on financial literacy, employability, and education. Their 10-year strategy (launched in 2019) aims to reach 10,000 young people aged 11-25, invest £2 million in the social sector, and support Hymans Robertson staff volunteering ambitions. By 2024, their funding had directly supported 6,900 children and young people since inception. The Foundation is committed to proportionate reporting and measures impact in alignment with IVAR's 8 principles.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Long-term Partnership Funding

Multi-year funding arrangements for charity partners working in education, employability, and financial literacy. The Foundation currently supports 11 long-term charity partners including:

• Barnardo's (Works employability programme)
• MyBnk/Money Ready (financial education for ages 7-25)
• Works+ (employability in Scottish Borders)
• Action for Children (NextGen employability)
• St Basils (homeless youth employment support)
• King's Trust (Achieve schools programme)
• Lifelink (mental health/wellbeing)
• FARE Scotland (training for vulnerable individuals)
• London Screen Academy (support for neuro-diverse young people)

2. Community Fund (Small Grants)

• Up to £1,000 unrestricted grants for small non-profits
• Open to charities with annual income under £100,000
• Must be based in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, or Birmingham
• Single-year grants; applications reviewed in funding rounds

3. Bursary Fund

• Average grant: £140
• For young people aged 16-25 in education, training, volunteering, or employment
• Covers essential digital/data kit, travel, clothing, energy, and food bills
• Administered through charity partners only (not direct applications)

4. Matched Funding

• Matches funds raised by Hymans Robertson LLP employees
• Over £23,000 donated through matched giving in recent years

Priority Areas

• Financial literacy and capability for disadvantaged young people
• Employability skills training
• Education support for at-risk youth
• Long-term community projects improving lives of those in need
• Supporting young people into jobs, volunteering, and further education

What They Don't Fund

• Animal charities (unless explicitly supporting people in need)
• Organisations outside Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, and Birmingham (for Community Fund)
• Organisations with annual income over £100,000 (for Community Fund)
• Direct bursary applications from individuals
• Unsolicited partnership applications

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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by a board of 9 trustees, all current or retired employees or members of Hymans Robertson LLP. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Key Personnel

Marcella Boyle - Chief Executive Officer

Joined the Foundation as its first CEO in August 2019. Marcella leads strategy delivery and partnership work with charitable partners and stakeholders. She is a graduate of Strathclyde University (BA, MSc) and has served as a Trustee with ENABLE Scotland.

Sarah Gilmour - Foundation Secretary & CSR/Social Impact Lead

Joined as a Trustee in 2018 and appointed Secretary in 2019. Responsible for Governance, Operations, and Oversight. Sarah was directly involved in developing the initial financial literacy programme from 2015.

Lucy Steers - Trustee

Head of Brand and Partner at Hymans Robertson. Appointed to the Board of Trustees in September 2022.

Gill - Trustee (People Director)

People Director and Partner at Hymans Robertson, sits on its Management Board and Partnership Council. Part of the inaugural Foundation Board of Trustees, playing a key role in determining strategy and guidelines.

Tracey - Trustee (Finance)

First joined as a Trustee in 2017. Accountant within Hymans Robertson's Third Party Administration, supporting the Foundation's Treasurer with financial activity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Long-term Partnerships:

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for partnership funding. They identify and approach organisations that share their priorities directly. Interested organisations can contact the Foundation via email (HRFoundation@hymans.co.uk) to express interest, though selection is at the Foundation's discretion.

For Community Fund:

• Applications accepted during open funding rounds (monitor website for announcements)
• One-page proposals required
• Maximum grant: £1,000
• Fund is periodically closed between rounds

For Bursary Support:

The Foundation does not accept direct requests for bursary funding. Young people must access bursaries through the Foundation's partner charities.

Getting on Their Radar

For organisations seeking partnership funding (specific to this funder):

• The Foundation identifies partners through their existing network and sector connections
• Marcella Boyle leads partnership development - engagement through sector events where she or the Foundation team are present may provide opportunities
• The Foundation values organisations that align with their specific focus on young people aged 11-25 and financial literacy/employability outcomes
• Organisations in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, Birmingham, or Scottish Borders have the best fit geographically
• Consider the Community Fund as an entry point for smaller organisations to demonstrate impact and build a relationship

Decision Timeline

• Community Fund: Applications reviewed after funding round deadlines; decisions made within weeks
• Partnership funding: Timeline not publicly disclosed; multi-year arrangements suggest extended due diligence

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Following the first Community Fund round, the Foundation encouraged charities in Birmingham and London particularly to apply in future rounds. Specific reapplication restrictions are not documented.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's documented priorities and language:

1. Alignment with “Secure Financial Futures”: The Foundation uses this specific phrase - applications should demonstrate how they contribute to financial capability or employability for disadvantaged young people

1. Age Focus: Priority given to work with young people aged 11-25, with particular interest in those at risk of underachievement, exclusion from school, or struggling to enter education, training, or employment

1. Geographic Fit: Must be operating in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, Birmingham, or Scottish Borders

1. Outcome Measurement: The Foundation tracks outcomes including employment, training, education destinations, and qualifications achieved. Partners must provide six-monthly and annual reports

1. For Community Fund: Must be a constituted organisation (CIC, social enterprise, or registered charity), have at least 2 years of trading history with published accounts, and have annual income under £100,000

1. Recent Successful Community Fund Recipients: Grants were awarded to organisations supporting vulnerable and under-represented women, children and family charities, Men's Sheds, access to football for financially vulnerable children, young people's leadership in climate change, canine therapy for vulnerable people, and programmes reducing social isolation among older citizens

1. The Foundation values: Organisations that can work collaboratively with their network, participate in shared learning with other partners, and engage with Hymans Robertson volunteers

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No unsolicited partnership applications: The Foundation identifies and approaches partners directly; the Community Fund is the main route for new organisations to access funding

• Community Fund is the accessible entry point: Small organisations (under £100,000 income) in the four key cities should apply when rounds open

• Geographic restrictions are firm: If you're not based in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, or Birmingham, you're unlikely to be eligible

• Youth focus is paramount: All funding ultimately serves young people aged 11-25, particularly those facing disadvantage or barriers to positive destinations

• Financial literacy and employability are core themes: Frame applications around these outcomes rather than generic community support

• Build relationships through the Community Fund first: A successful small grant could open doors to longer-term partnership discussions

• Monitor the website: Application rounds for the Community Fund open periodically - sign up for updates or check regularly

References

• Hymans Robertson Foundation Official Website
• Charity Commission Register Entry - Charity 1168951
• Contact Information - Charity Commission
• Small Grants for Small Non Profits
• Strategy & Impact
• Long-term Charity Partners
• What We Do
• About Us
• Annual Report Section
• Hymans Robertson Corporate Social Responsibility

Information gathered December 2025