The Rix-thompson-rothenberg Foundation

Charity Number: 285368

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

Geographic Focus: Throughout England And Wales

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Quick Stats

Annual Giving: £143,948 (2024)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: 4-6 months (bi-annual review cycles)
Grant Range: £2,000 - £6,500
Average Grant: £5,000
Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

Email: rtrfoundation@gmail.com

Phone: 07532 320138

Registered Office: Blick Rothenberg, 16 Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 5AH

Administrator Address: c/o PAMIS, Carolina House Trust, 7 Luna Place, Dundee Technology Park, Dundee

Note: The Foundation does not maintain a website. Initial contact must be made via email or telephone.

Overview

THE RIX-THOMPSON-ROTHENBERG FOUNDATION was established in 1982 and operates as a private company limited by guarantee without share capital (Company Number 01638962). With annual expenditure of £143,948 in 2024 and income of £203,800, the Foundation maintains a focused mission of supporting projects connected with the care, education, training, development, and leisure activities of people with learning disabilities. The Foundation awards small grants averaging £5,000 to registered charities working to enhance opportunities and lifestyle outcomes for people with learning disabilities and their families. All eight trustees serve without remuneration, demonstrating the Foundation's commitment to directing maximum resources toward grant-making activities. The Foundation has a long-standing association with PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society) at the University of Dundee.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates a single grant program with bi-annual funding rounds:

Grant Amount: £2,000 - £6,500 (average £5,000)
Application Method: Initial discussion required, followed by invitation-only application form
Review Cycle: Trustees meet twice annually in June and December
Match Funding: Not required

Priority Areas

The Foundation particularly welcomes applications for projects involving:

Arts-based initiatives for people with learning disabilities
Enhancing social interaction and community engagement
Improving lifestyles and opportunities for greater independence
Inclusive practice that promotes participation
Care, education, and training programs
Leisure activities and recreational opportunities
Projects that enhance opportunity and lifestyle for people with learning disabilities and their carers

What They Don't Fund

Organizations not registered with the Charity Commission
Projects outside England and Wales
Individuals (grants only to registered charities)
General information not available on specific exclusions, though the Foundation maintains a narrow focus on learning disability support

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Foundation is governed by eight trustees, all of whom serve without remuneration:

Mr. Barrie Davis
Bob Rothenberg
Mr. Fred Heddell CBE
Mrs. Suzanne Jane Marriott
Mr. Jonathan Rix
Chris Thompson
Andy Minnion
Additional trustee information available through Companies House

Administration

Administrator: Mrs. Lesley Gray

The administrator is the first point of contact for all prospective applicants and manages the application process.

Organizational Structure

The Foundation has no paid employees with benefits exceeding £60,000 and maintains lean operations to maximize grant distribution. The association with PAMIS at the University of Dundee suggests connections to academic research and best practice in learning disability support.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Initial Discussion (Minimum 4 months before trustee meeting)

Contact Mrs. Lesley Gray, the Foundation Administrator, via email (rtrfoundation@gmail.com) or telephone (07532 320138)
Discuss your proposed project in detail
Ensure your project aligns with the Foundation's priorities
This preliminary conversation is mandatory before formal application

Step 2: Invitation to Apply

If your project is deemed suitable, you will receive an invitation to submit a formal application
You will be provided with an application form

Step 3: Formal Application

Complete the application form in full
Include a copy of your charity's most recently audited accounts
Return completed materials to the Foundation

Important: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited formal applications. All applicants must make initial contact to discuss their project first.

Decision Timeline

Trustee Meetings: Twice annually in June and December
Lead Time Required: Minimum 4 months before trustee meeting for initial discussion
Total Timeline: Approximately 4-6 months from initial contact to decision
Notification Method: Not specified in available sources

Planning Guidance: To be considered at the June meeting, make initial contact no later than February. For December consideration, contact by August.

Success Rates

Historical data indicates the Foundation is actively grant-making:

In 2015: 32 grants awarded totaling £149,282 (average grant £4,665)
Recent years show continued activity with annual expenditure around £144,000-£154,000
Specific success rates (applications received vs. grants awarded) are not publicly disclosed

The requirement for preliminary discussion suggests the Foundation pre-screens projects, likely improving success rates for invited applications.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Given the requirement for preliminary discussion before each application, previously unsuccessful applicants would need to initiate a new conversation with the Administrator to determine if reapplication is appropriate.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Stated Priorities

The Foundation places “special emphasis on grants that will enhance opportunity and lifestyle” for people with learning disabilities. Projects involving the arts, enhancing social interaction, improving lifestyles and opportunities, and encouraging inclusive practice are “particularly welcomed.”

Examples of Previously Funded Organizations

Historical grant recipients (from 2015 data) include:

The Otterhayes Trust
Polka Theatre for Children
Wiltshire Music
Yorkshire Dance

These examples indicate support for arts organizations, specialized care facilities, and cultural programs serving people with learning disabilities.

Key Success Factors

1. Strong Learning Disability Focus

Your organization must be a registered charity specifically working with or supporting people with learning disabilities and their families. Generic disability charities may be less competitive.

2. Arts and Cultural Projects Have Clear Advantage

The examples of funded organizations and stated priorities suggest particular interest in arts-based approaches to enhancing opportunity and lifestyle.

3. Emphasis on Opportunity and Lifestyle Enhancement

Frame your project in terms of how it will tangibly improve opportunities and quality of life, not just provide services.

4. Inclusive Practice

Demonstrate how your project promotes inclusion and participation of people with learning disabilities in broader society.

5. Quality of Initial Conversation

The mandatory preliminary discussion is your opportunity to demonstrate alignment and receive guidance. Be prepared to articulate clearly how your project fits the Foundation's priorities.

6. Realistic Budget for Small Grant

With grants averaging £5,000, successful projects are likely well-defined, achievable initiatives rather than large-scale programs requiring multiple funders.

7. Financial Credibility

Including audited accounts suggests the Foundation values good financial governance. Ensure your accounts demonstrate sound financial management.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Make contact early: The 4-month lead time requirement means planning ahead is essential for both June and December funding rounds.

The preliminary conversation is critical: This is not a formality but your main opportunity to receive guidance and demonstrate fit. Prepare thoroughly for this initial discussion.

Arts-based approaches are favored: If your project has an arts, music, dance, or cultural component for people with learning disabilities, emphasize this prominently.

Focus on enhancement not maintenance: The Foundation wants to support projects that enhance opportunity and lifestyle, suggesting preference for innovative or developmental work over ongoing operational costs.

Size your request appropriately: With an average grant of £5,000 and maximum around £6,500, this is a funder for specific project components, not core costs or large capital projects.

Learning disability must be central: This is a highly focused funder. Projects serving broader disability communities or where learning disability is secondary are unlikely to succeed.

Lean decision-making structure: With only bi-annual meetings and no permanent staff beyond an administrator, expect limited ongoing communication but efficient decision-making once applications are invited.