The Rosaz Charity

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 227375
• Annual Income: £105,421 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £96,196 (2024)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: East and West Sussex
• Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)

Contact Details

Address: 1 Greenleas, Hove, BN3 8AD

Telephone: 01273463937

Online: The charity does not maintain a public website. Full charity details are available on the Charity Commission register at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=227375

Overview

The Rosaz Charity, established in 1964 from the legacy of Chevalier François de Rosaz, carries forward a philanthropic tradition dating back to 1822. The charity transitioned from operating the Brighton and Hove Girls' Orphanage (which closed around 1990) to becoming a grant-making trust. With annual expenditure of approximately £96,000, the charity focuses on relieving and assisting children and young persons resident in East and West Sussex who are deprived of a normal home life, with a preference for girls. Following consultations with the Charity Commissioners, the charity's current mission encompasses giving financial and practical support to children and youth work throughout East and West Sussex, and supporting adult Christians engaged in such work. The charity operates through trustee discretion with no public application process, making grants to both organizations and individuals working with vulnerable children and young people in the Sussex area.

Funding Priorities

Geographic Focus

• East Sussex
• West Sussex
• Particular connection to Brighton and Hove area (historical roots)

Priority Beneficiary Groups

• Children and young persons deprived of normal home life
• Strong preference for girls and young women
• Vulnerable and disadvantaged young people

Priority Areas

• Children and young people's welfare
• Accommodation and housing for young people
• Education and training programs
• Youth work throughout East and West Sussex
• Support for adult Christians engaged in children and youth work

What They Fund

• Grants to organizations working with vulnerable children and young people
• Grants to individuals (children and young persons in need)
• Direct services and support programs
• Projects focused on care and attention for disadvantaged youth

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the charity's narrow focus suggests they likely do not fund:

• Work outside East and West Sussex
• General charitable causes unrelated to children and youth
• Adult services not connected to children's welfare
• Capital projects unrelated to youth services

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The charity is governed by five trustees who serve without remuneration:

• Mr Christopher Clive Kempster Butler
• Dr Thomas Arthur Copp
• Mr Michael Hamilton Pope
• Mrs Jenny Payne
• One additional trustee (name not publicly available)

The charity has no paid employees, with all work conducted by the volunteer trustee board. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring all funds are directed toward charitable purposes.

Organizational Structure

The charity operates as a traditional grant-making trust with decisions made at trustee meetings. With no staff infrastructure, the trustees personally oversee grant-making decisions and maintain relationships with beneficiary organizations and individuals.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Rosaz Charity does not operate a public application process. The charity appears to identify and support beneficiaries through trustee discretion rather than accepting open applications from the public.

Based on the available evidence, grants are awarded to:

• Organizations and individuals known to the trustees
• Projects and beneficiaries identified through the trustees' networks in the Sussex area
• Referrals from trusted partners in the children and youth sector

For organizations or individuals seeking support: Given the lack of a public application process, the only route to potential funding is through the contact details provided:

• Telephone: 01273463937
• Address: 1 Greenleas, Hove, BN3 8AD

Contact should be made respectfully, recognizing that the charity operates on trustee discretion and may not be accepting new applications. Be prepared to explain your connection to vulnerable children and young people in East or West Sussex, and how your work aligns with the charity's specific focus on those deprived of normal home life, with preference for girls.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the charity does not operate a formal application cycle. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees, likely at periodic trustee meetings throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - there is no public application process to measure success rates against.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - without a formal application process, there is no standard reapplication policy.

Application Success Factors

While The Rosaz Charity does not accept public applications, understanding their priorities can help organizations determine if making contact is worthwhile:

Strong Alignment with Core Mission

• Focus specifically on children and young persons (not general youth services)
• Work with those “deprived of normal home life” - suggesting care-experienced young people, those at risk of homelessness, family breakdown, etc.
• Projects supporting girls and young women will be particularly strong matches given the charity's stated preference

Geographic Connection

• Must be working in East or West Sussex
• Historical connection to Brighton and Hove may carry weight
• Sussex-rooted organizations likely to be prioritized

Christian Ethos (for some grants)

• The charity specifically mentions supporting “adult Christians engaged in such work”
• This suggests some grants may favor faith-based youth work, though the main charitable objects are not restricted to Christian organizations

Small-Scale, Direct Impact Work

• With annual expenditure around £96,000, this charity supports modest-sized projects
• Work that directly impacts vulnerable young people rather than infrastructure or awareness-raising
• Organizations and individuals delivering hands-on care and support

Legacy Connection

• Organizations carrying forward the historical mission of orphan care and support for girls without families
• Projects echoing the charity's Victorian-era roots in practical support for vulnerable girls

Established Presence

• Given the lack of public applications, beneficiaries likely need to be known to trustees
• Established organizations with track records in Sussex children's work
• Referrals from trusted sources in the sector

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - This charity identifies beneficiaries through trustee discretion, not open applications
• Very specific focus - Must support children/young people in East/West Sussex deprived of normal home life, with preference for girls
• Small charity - Annual expenditure around £96,000 suggests modest grant sizes rather than transformational funding
• Historical mission - Carries forward 200-year legacy from orphanage care to modern grant-making for vulnerable youth
• Christian connection - Some support for adult Christians in youth work, though main mission is secular
• Contact only if strong match - With no application process, only reach out if your work precisely aligns with their narrow focus
• Sussex geography essential - Absolute requirement to work within East and West Sussex boundaries

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Chalk Cliff Trust
• The Dodgson Foundation
• THE IAN ASKEW CHARITABLE TRUST
• Friarsgate Trust
• Fonthill Foundation
• House Project Centre
• The Timothy Franey Charitable Foundation
• THE BUFFINI CHAO FOUNDATION
• The Gibbons Family Trust
• The Portishead Nautical Trust

References

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - The Rosaz Charity Registration Details (Charity Number 227375)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=227375

Accessed: January 2026

1. The Children's Homes Website - Female Orphan Asylum, Brighton, Sussex

https://www.childrenshomes.org.uk/BrightonFemaleOrphan/

Accessed: January 2026

Historical information about the founding and operation of the orphanage from 1822-1990

1. The National Archives - Brighton and Hove Girls' Orphanage, Rosaz House

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C11133686

Accessed: January 2026

1. My Brighton and Hove - History notes and photo gallery: Eastern Road

https://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/places/placestree/eastern-road/eastern-road-3

Accessed: January 2026

Details of Chevalier François de Rosaz's bequest and the history of Rosaz House