The Leander Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £89,095 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable - no public application process
• Decision Time: Not applicable - trustee discretion
• Grant Range: £200 - £10,000+
• Geographic Focus: UK national, with emphasis on Henley-on-Thames area

Contact Details

Website: http://leandertrust.org

Phone: 01491 575782

Email: enquiries@leandertrust.org

Address: Leander Club, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2LP

Librarian Email: librarian@leandertrust.org

Overview

The Leander Trust is a specialized grant-making charity established in 1982, closely associated with Leander Club, one of the world's most prestigious rowing clubs. With annual expenditure of approximately £89,000, the Trust advances education through physical recreation by providing grant awards and facilities to enable rowing and sculling among young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Trust primarily supports 40-50 elite young athletes in Leander Club's squad annually, with approximately 10% receiving comprehensive support covering food and lodging. Beyond individual support, the Trust occasionally makes organizational grants for youth rowing programs. The Trust also serves as custodian of the Tom Hoffman Library, one of the world's most comprehensive rowing book collections, and generates income through successful fundraising events that have raised over £9,500 annually.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Athlete Support - Primary focus

• Equipment and coaching costs for disadvantaged young rowers
• Food and lodging for athletes unable to take paid employment while training
• Multi-year support for squad members (ages 16-30)
• Support through Leander Club squad selection process

Organizational Grants - Occasional

• Small equipment grants to youth rowing organizations
• Example: Weights equipment for Hinksey Sculling School girls' programme
• Awarded at trustee discretion, no formal application

Library and Education Support

• Tom Hoffman Library maintenance and access
• Educational rowing book talk events

Priority Areas

• Youth development in rowing and sculling
• Removing financial barriers for disadvantaged young people
• Supporting elite athlete pathways to GB team and Olympics
• Addressing gender equity in rowing access
• Developing life skills through sport (resilience, teamwork, discipline)

What They Don't Fund

• Non-rowing activities
• Organizations outside the rowing community
• General operating costs for established clubs
• International applicants
• Retrospective funding
• Athletes over 30 (except exceptional circumstances)

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust operates with 5 trustees who receive no remuneration. Key personnel include:

Irene Hewlett - Librarian (appointed 2023)

Organizes successful rowing book talk fundraising series and conducts community outreach. Recently visited Hinksey Sculling School to assess equipment needs, demonstrating the Trust's proactive grant-making approach.

The Trust works closely with Leander Club's structure, which includes President Dick Lester, Chairman Pete Bridge, and coaching staff Matt Beechey (Chief Men's Coach) and Ross Hunter (Chief Women's Coach).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through:

1. Individual Athletes: Selection for Leander Club's elite squad through club outreach programs and competitive selection
2. Organizations: No formal mechanism - Trust identifies opportunities proactively through network connections
3. Partnership Programs: Young rowers (16-18) can contact Ty Sterry at sports@henleycol.ac.uk for Henley College scheme

Getting on Their Radar

For Youth Rowing Organizations:

• Attend Rowing Book Talk Events: Librarian Irene Hewlett uses these fundraising events at Leander Club for networking - the Hinksey grant originated from such interactions
• Host Trust Representatives: Hewlett visited Hinksey to observe training and speak with young rowers directly
• British Rowing Networks: Active participation in British Rowing events and regattas increases visibility to Leander network
• Tom Hoffman Library Access: Researchers can request library appointments, providing legitimate contact opportunity

For Young Athletes:

• Leander Club Outreach Programs: Club actively seeks candidates through maintained sector schools
• British Rowing Pathways: Excel in junior competitions and GB pathway programs where Leander scouts
• Gap Year Programme: Available for athletes aged 18-19 needing to retake exams while rowing

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - ongoing trustee discretion

Success Rates

Not applicable - no formal application process

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - support typically continues throughout squad membership (2+ years for many athletes)

Application Success Factors

Since there's no formal application process, success depends on:

For Athletes:

• Demonstrating talent to compete for Leander squad placement (club has won 159 Olympic/Paralympic medals since 1908)
• Clear evidence of financial barriers preventing rowing participation
• Age under 30, with special focus on juniors (16-18)
• Commitment to intensive training that precludes paid employment
• Trajectory toward GB team selection

For Organizations:

• Serving young people facing social or economic disadvantages
• Addressing specific, identifiable needs rather than general support
• Projects widening access or addressing inequalities (like gender equity)
• Geographic proximity to Henley-on-Thames or Leander network connections
• Direct engagement - successful Hinksey grant came from in-person facility visit

Strategic Insights:

• Trust is proactive rather than reactive - they identify needs through outreach
• Long-term relationships valued - multi-year athlete support is common
• Results matter - Trust highlights supported athletes becoming “medal-winning Olympians”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Not a traditional grant-maker - awards grants but doesn't accept applications; standard grant-seeking strategies don't apply
• Relationship building critical - attending Leander events and connecting with Trust personnel (particularly the librarian) more valuable than preparing applications
• Highly specialized focus - exclusively supports rowing and sculling; other sports should look elsewhere
• Scale varies dramatically - from hundreds of pounds for equipment to thousands annually per athlete
• Tom Hoffman Library provides legitimate entry point for rowing researchers to establish contact
• Geographic advantage - proximity to Henley-on-Thames benefits relationship building
• Alternative funders available - The Rowing Foundation and British Rowing offer formal grant programs with public applications

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Henley Royal Regatta Charitable Trust
• The Rowing Foundation
• The Whirlwind Charitable Trust
• The RYA Foundation
• Johnnie Johnson Trust
• The Gosling Foundation Limited
• Huntingdon Freemen's Trust
• Hitchin Youth Trust
• STAR Foundation
• ST ANDREW HOLBORN AND STAFFORD'S CHARITY

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - The Leander Trust (284631)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/

Accessed: February 2026

1. The Leander Trust Official Website

http://leandertrust.org

Accessed: February 2026

1. Leander Club Official Website - About and Committee Pages

https://www.leander.co.uk

Accessed: February 2026

1. “Greg Searle Shares Olympic Journey at Leander Club Book Talk” - Henley Herald

September 2024

1. “Leander Library Rowing Book Talks” - Hear The Boat Sing

September 2024

1. The Henley College - Leander Club Partnership

https://www.henleycol.ac.uk/sport/elite-sports-programme/leander-club-partnership

Accessed: February 2026