The Roddick Foundation

Charity Number: 1061372

Annual Expenditure: £2.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,963,883 (total expenditure, 2024-2025)
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only basis)
  • Decision Time: N/A (no public application process)
  • Grant Range: £10,000 - £50,000
  • Geographic Focus: Global scope, with many UK-based grantees

Contact Details

Website: https://theroddickfoundation.org

Email: karen@theroddickfoundation.org

Phone: Not publicly listed

IMPORTANT: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or requests for funding.

Overview

The Roddick Foundation was incorporated in 1997 as the philanthropic legacy of Dame Anita Roddick (1942-2007), founder of The Body Shop. Following Dame Anita's death in September 2007, she donated her entire £51 million fortune to charitable causes. The foundation is family-run by her husband Gordon Roddick and daughters Justine and Samantha Roddick, along with trustee Tina Schlieske. With total income of £398,674 and expenditure of £1,963,883 in the most recent financial year (2024-2025), the foundation is described as independent and progressive, dedicated to supporting visionary organizations and individuals working toward social, labour, and environmental justice, and human rights. The foundation underwent regulatory review by the Charity Commission in 2014 regarding grant-making processes and subsequently strengthened its procedures.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants generally range from £10,000 to £50,000. Grantmaking is global in scope, though many grantees are based in the UK.

Priority Areas

Arts & Culture

  • Theatre and performing arts with community engagement focus
  • Creative activism and grassroots cultural organizations
  • Recent grantees include Belarus Free Theatre, Kiln Theatre, Outside In, Counterpoint Arts, Good Chance Theatre

Education

  • Educational access and equity
  • Support for marginalized children and youth
  • Recent grantees include Black Mountains College, Afghanistan Education Action

Environment

  • Climate justice and environmental protection
  • Regenerative agriculture and food systems
  • Anti-ecocide campaigns and grassroots environmental movements
  • Recent grantees include Stop Ecocide, Final Straw Foundation, Landworkers Alliance, UK Grain Lab, Gaia Foundation, Conservation Farming Trust, Platform London, Wales Farming Cluster, We are GROW

Human Rights

  • Criminal justice reform and prisoner support
  • Support for survivors of torture and trauma
  • Death penalty abolition and legal aid
  • Recent grantees include Reprieve, Death Penalty Project, APPEAL, ATLEU, Baobab Centre For Young Survivors In Exile, Prisoners Education Trust, Safe Passage, Global Legal Action Network, Healing Justice Project, Innocence Project New Orleans, Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group

Indigenous Rights

  • Indigenous journalism and media
  • Land rights and environmental protection for Indigenous communities
  • Cultural preservation and Indigenous-led advocacy
  • Recent grantees include Native American Community Board, Amazonia Real, CASA Socio-Environmental Fund, The Xa7tus Advocacy Society, Instituto Welight de Inovação Socioambiental

Media

  • Independent journalism
  • Social justice media projects
  • Recent grantees include Shadow World Investigations, On Road Media

Social Rights

  • Reproductive rights and abortion access
  • LGBTQ+ support and advocacy
  • Support for travelers and marginalized communities
  • Restorative justice and community health
  • Recent grantees include Abortion Access Front, Abortion Liberation Fund of PA, Choose Love, FiND, Not1More, Waging Peace

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, the foundation's funding history suggests they focus exclusively on organizations aligned with progressive social justice causes. They have demonstrated a preference for grassroots, activist-oriented organizations rather than mainstream or large institutional charities.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (4 total, none receive remuneration):

  • Gordon Roddick (husband of founder)
  • Justine Roddick (daughter)
  • Samantha Roddick (daughter)
  • Tina Schlieske

Foundation Philosophy: The trustees state: “We will not deviate from the path that we have all taken together and we are warmed by the legacy of love and adventure that she left in our care,” referring to Dame Anita Roddick's vision.

Dame Anita Roddick's guiding principle: "If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito." This philosophy informs the foundation's support for smaller, grassroots organizations that may be overlooked by larger funders.

Key Contact: Karen (karen@theroddickfoundation.org) - administrative contact

Foundation Self-Description: “We are a family-run, independent and progressive organisation dedicated to the support of visionary organisations and individuals who show leadership and results in making this a more just and kind world.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. They identify potential grantees through their own research and networks, operating on an invitation-only basis. Organizations cannot apply for funding directly.

Getting on Their Radar

According to Inside Philanthropy, "grantseekers will really need to network to get on Roddick's radar." The foundation proactively identifies organizations through:

  • Engagement within progressive social justice, environmental, and human rights movements
  • Building strong reputations in sectors where the foundation is active
  • Connections through networks in areas the foundation prioritizes

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - decisions are made internally when the foundation proactively identifies organizations to support.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply or reapply as the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since applications are not accepted, traditional application advice is not relevant. However, insights from the foundation's funding patterns and stated preferences suggest:

What the Foundation Values:

The foundation explicitly states on their website that they are attracted to organizations and individuals with:

  • “Exceptional creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and courage”
  • Ability to “affect social change on a measurable scale”
  • Results-oriented work with tangible outcomes
  • Grassroots and activist approaches with community-led initiatives
  • Progressive values aligned with social, labour, and environmental justice

Recent Funding Examples (2024-2025):

  • Belarus Free Theatre (arts with activism)
  • Stop Ecocide and Platform London (environmental justice)
  • Reprieve and Death Penalty Project (human rights and criminal justice)
  • Abortion Access Front and related organizations (reproductive rights)
  • Amazonia Real and Native American Community Board (Indigenous rights and journalism)
  • LGBTQ+ youth services and marginalized community support
  • Regenerative agriculture initiatives (Landworkers Alliance, Final Straw Foundation, Conservation Farming Trust)

Funded Organization Testimonials:

Organizations previously funded have noted the foundation provides:

  • Core operational funding
  • Project-specific support
  • Grants that help expand organizational capacity and reach
  • Support for infrastructure and equipment needs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. No application process exists - The Roddick Foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis, making it impossible to apply directly for funding
  1. Focus on visibility within progressive networks - Since they identify grantees proactively, organizations should build strong reputations within social justice, environmental, and human rights movements where the foundation is active
  1. Demonstrate measurable impact - The foundation explicitly favors organizations that can show social change “on a measurable scale” with results-oriented approaches
  1. Emphasize creativity and courage - The foundation is attracted to “exceptional creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and courage” in their potential grantees
  1. Grassroots and activist orientation - Funding patterns show strong preference for community-led, activist organizations rather than large institutions
  1. Grant size expectations - When invited to apply, expect grants in the £10,000-£50,000 range based on the foundation's typical funding levels
  1. Global but UK-centered - While grantmaking is global in scope, many grantees are UK-based organizations, even those working internationally

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References