The Racing Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £3.3 million (2023 grant payments)
• Success Rate: 72% (28 grants awarded from 39 applications in 2023)
• Decision Time: 2 weeks after board meeting
• Grant Range: Up to £30,000 (Small Grants); £30,000+ (Open Grants)
• Geographic Focus: UK horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industry
• Total Awarded Since 2012: Over £39 million

Contact Details

Website: www.racingfoundation.co.uk

Phone: 07709954620

Email: Available via website contact form

Overview

The Racing Foundation was established in 2012 following the sale of the Tote to oversee the distribution of funds to charitable causes within the UK horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industry. With total grants awarded exceeding £39 million since inception, the Foundation makes grants three times annually to support charitable work that contributes to positive change. In 2023, the Foundation awarded 28 grants and one 5-year loan totaling £9.2 million (including a £7.5m loan to the Horseracing Betting Levy Board), with £3.3 million in grant payments distributed. The Foundation's current three-year strategy (2025-2027) emphasizes collaboration, strategic alignment with industry priorities, and maintaining flexibility while building an endowment for future projects. Led by Chief Executive Tansy Challis, the Foundation focuses on four key strategic areas: People, Equine Welfare, Community Engagement, and Environment & Emerging Issues.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants: Up to £30,000

• For smaller-scale charitable projects
• Two-stage application process
• Includes discussion with Grants Manager

Open Grants: £30,000 and above

• For larger charitable initiatives
• Two-stage application with meeting/conference call requirement
• May require business plan and fundraising strategy

Equine Science Research Grants: Separate application process

• Dedicated funding stream for equine research
• Different evaluation criteria

Application Timing: Three funding rounds per year with fixed deadlines (rolling basis not available)

Priority Areas

1. Racing's People

• Social welfare initiatives
• Training and education programs
• Health and rehabilitation services
• Poverty relief
• Diversity and inclusion projects
• Recruitment and retention
• Equality initiatives

2. Equine Welfare

• Horse safety improvements
• Traceability systems
• Aftercare programs for retired racehorses
• Equine science research
• Welfare of current and former Thoroughbred racehorses

3. Community Engagement

• Public outreach and education
• Events connecting people with racehorses
• Industry awareness initiatives

4. Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)

• Engaging new audiences
• Community impact projects
• Environmental sustainability
• Social license accountability

Special Considerations:

• Strong preference for collaborative projects involving multiple stakeholders
• Alignment with industry strategies (British Horseracing Authority, etc.)
• Match-funding arrangements encouraged
• Multi-year funding considered for high-priority projects
• Support for innovative or risky projects
• Project costs, research costs, and core costs eligible

What They Don't Fund

• Work that does not deliver benefits to UK horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industry
• Grants to individuals or causes benefiting only one person
• Long-term grants for staffing costs primarily associated with fundraising
• Promotion of religion
• Work addressing gambling addiction (unless specifically focused on horseracing/Thoroughbred industry participants)
• Retrospective funding (work already completed)
• Work without a charitable purpose

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Julia Budd (Chair)

First female Jockey Club steward, appointed in 2011. Progressed to Deputy Senior Steward before retiring in 2020. Currently chairs the British Racing School.

Linda Bowles (Senior Independent Director)

HR Director with extensive experience at The Tote and The Jockey Club. Involved with the Diversity in Racing Steering Group.

Jim Boyle

Horse trainer with over 500 winners. Qualified veterinary surgeon and former President of the National Trainers Federation.

Louise Kemble

Former CEO of Thoroughbred Breeders' Association. Runs Elms Bloodstock and serves as Secretary-General of the Federation of Bloodstock Agents (GB) Ltd.

Alice Page

Responsible for strategy, planning and governance at UBS. Completed Thoroughbred and Horseracing Industries MBA. Freeman of Worshipful Company of Loriners.

Hazel Peplinski

Racecourse management expert in Scotland, CEO of Hamilton Park and Perth. Trustee of Injured Jockeys Fund.

Rishi Persad

Sports broadcaster representing major television companies including BBC, ITV and Channel 4. Integral member of ITV Racing and Racing TV.

Algy Smith-Maxwell

Experienced fund manager and co-founder of Jupiter Merlin Portfolios. Involved in British racing and breeding for over 30 years.

Staff Team

Tansy Challis (Chief Executive)

Cambridge graduate with 15 years of charity sector experience. Previously served as Grants Manager and Head of Grants and Programmes before becoming CEO in 2023. Emphasizes the Foundation's commitment to remaining “flexible and agile” while balancing immediate support needs with maintaining endowment value for future projects.

Stan Wong (Grants Manager)

Experienced grantmaker in health, human rights, and corporate philanthropy.

Rhi Lee-Jones (Head of Communications and Events)

Former horse racing journalist and equestrian sport presenter.

Antonia Bullrich (Social Media and Content Executive)

Film and digital production graduate with videographer experience.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted via online system at www.racingfoundation.co.uk

Stage 1: Expression of Interest

• Submit 2-page project overview online
• Focuses on basic applicant information and concept validation
• Determines initial eligibility
• Must be received by stated deadline or carried forward to next round

Stage 2: Detailed Application (if successful at Stage 1)

• More comprehensive form with detailed budget and supporting documents
• Small grants (under £30,000): Discussion with Grants Manager
• Open grants (£30,000+): Meeting or conference call required
• May require business plan and fundraising strategy
• Must provide total project cost, match-funding commitment details, and amount requested

Stage 3: Trustee Decision

• Applications reviewed at Board Meetings
• Trustees with conflicts of interest cannot vote
• Independent evaluation of project progress may be conducted

2025 Funding Round Deadlines:

• First Round: January 24th
• Second Round: April 25th
• Third Round: August 22nd

Eligibility: UK registered charities and some non-charitable organizations with a charitable purpose related to UK Thoroughbred horseracing/breeding

Decision Timeline

• Applications considered at Board Meetings following Stage 2 deadline
• All applicants notified within 2 weeks of Board Meeting
• Notification by email
• No appeals accepted: “The Foundation is unable to enter into any correspondence with applicants seeking to appeal against a decision to reject a funding application”

Success Rates

2023 Statistics:

• 39 applications received
• 28 grants awarded (plus one 5-year loan)
• 72% success rate
• Total awarded: £9.2 million (including £7.5m loan)
• Grant payments made: £3.3 million

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication restrictions mentioned. Unsuccessful applicants are not prohibited from applying in future rounds, though appeals are not accepted. The Foundation considers continuity funding for previously supported projects.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment: The Foundation strongly favors projects that align with broader industry strategies, particularly those from the British Horseracing Authority. Applications should demonstrate awareness of and connection to industry-wide priorities.

Collaboration is Key: The Foundation has a clear preference for collaborative projects involving multiple industry stakeholders. Joint applications are encouraged, and match-funding arrangements strengthen applications significantly.

Impact and Scale: Projects should demonstrate “potential to achieve a substantial impact” within the industry. The Foundation looks for work that contributes to positive change and builds understanding of key charitable issues facing racing.

Organizational Capacity: Applicants should demonstrate ability to deliver the project and potential for self-funding or sustainability beyond the grant period. For larger grants, business plans and fundraising strategies may be requested.

Recent Funded Projects as Examples:

• £3 million to Horse Welfare Board for equine welfare projects
• Capital grant to Askham Bryan College for new training facility with racing yard (benefiting 150 full-time and 350 part-time students)
• Thoroughbred Breeders' Association 2-day careers course for 18-35 year olds
• Racehorse Rescue Centre emergency funding for outdoor school completion
• Racing Partnership with Pony Club for education about career opportunities
• Gender diversity study with Oxford Brookes University and Women In Racing
• Racing to School 'Riders Programme'
• Stable Start housing initiative via Newmarket Charitable Foundation
• Racing Resilient environmental strategy development with British Horseracing Authority

Innovation Welcome: The Foundation is open to supporting innovative or risky projects that could drive meaningful change in the industry.

Multi-Year Thinking: While grants are typically single-year, the Foundation may consider multi-year funding for high-priority projects and offers continuity funding for previously successful grantees.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Exceptional success rate of 72% makes this a highly accessible funder for eligible organizations in the horseracing sector
• Collaboration is critical: Joint applications and match-funding arrangements are strongly preferred and significantly strengthen applications
• Strategic alignment matters: Demonstrate clear connections to industry-wide strategies and priorities, particularly from the British Horseracing Authority
• Fast turnaround time: 2-week notification after board meetings means relatively quick decisions compared to many funders
• Three specific deadlines annually: Plan applications around fixed January, April, and August deadlines—no rolling applications accepted
• Build relationships early: Small grants involve discussions with Grants Manager; larger grants require meetings—use these as relationship-building opportunities
• Think beyond immediate need: Applications should demonstrate sustainable impact and potential for long-term benefit to the industry, not just short-term solutions

References

1. The Racing Foundation Official Website - Our Grants Programme. https://www.racingfoundation.co.uk/our-grants-programme/-10-08)

1. The Racing Foundation - What We Will Fund. https://www.racingfoundation.co.uk/our-grants-programme/what-we-will-fund/-10-08)

1. The Racing Foundation - What We Don't Fund. https://www.racingfoundation.co.uk/our-grants-programme/what-we-dont-fund/-10-08)

1. The Racing Foundation - Application Process and Deadlines. https://www.racingfoundation.co.uk/our-grants-programme/application-process-inc-deadlines/-10-08)

1. The Racing Foundation - Trustees & Staff. https://www.racingfoundation.co.uk/about/trustees-staff/-10-08)

1. UK Charity Commission - The Racing Foundation (1145297). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1145297-10-08)

1. The Racing Foundation - 2023 Annual Review and 2024 Strategy Release. https://www.racingfoundation.co.uk/release-racing-foundation-releases-2023-annual-review-and-2024-strategy/-10-08)

1. Racing Post - “Racing Foundation gave more than £3 million in grants to charitable causes in 2023.” https://www.racingpost.com/news/britain/racing-foundation-gave-more-than-3-million-in-grants-to-charitable-causes-in-2023-aKljU3t8cgq2/-10-08)

1. British Horseracing Authority - “Racing Foundation focuses on education and training through its latest grant awards.” https://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/racing-foundation-focuses-on-education-and-training-through-its-latest-grant-awards/-10-08)

1. Racing Together - “Racing Foundation publishes three-year strategy to assist the industry to develop collaborative and strategic approach.” https://www.racingtogether.co.uk/news/racing-foundation-publishes-three-year-strategy-to-assist-the-industry-to-develop-collaborative-and-strategic-approach/-10-08)