The Roseline Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £5,588,885 (2024)
• Total Income: £1,260,199 (2024, primarily from investments)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Sunderland and surrounding areas (North East England)

Contact Details

Email: susanne.kennedy@roselinefoundation.co.uk

Phone: 0191 281 8191

Website: www.roselinefoundation.co.uk

Charity Number: 1192886

Company Number: CE024434

Overview

The Roseline Foundation was established in 2020 as a charitable incorporated organisation with the mission to tackle poverty through education. The foundation empowers socially disadvantaged individuals by developing their capabilities and skills, bridging gaps between different segments of society to create opportunities for all. Operating as an endowed foundation with substantial investment assets (generating over £12.7 million in investment gains in 2024), The Roseline Foundation distributes grants to charities and organisations operating in Sunderland and surrounding areas. With total charitable expenditure of £5.6 million in 2024, the foundation represents a significant new funding source for the North East region. The foundation operates through partnerships, notably working through the Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland to distribute some of its funds via the “Roseline Fund.”

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Roseline Foundation operates primarily as a grant-making charity supporting organisations in the Sunderland area. Some grants are distributed directly, while others are channeled through the Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland via the “Roseline Fund.” Specific grant amounts and programme details are not publicly advertised.

Priority Areas

Based on the foundation's stated objectives and known partnerships:

• Education and Skills Development: Projects that develop capabilities and skills among disadvantaged individuals
• Poverty Alleviation: Initiatives addressing economic disadvantage and creating pathways out of poverty
• Social Inclusion: Programmes that bridge gaps between different segments of society
• Community Development: Projects benefiting residents of Sunderland and surrounding areas
• Youth Development: Supporting educational and employability programmes for young people

Known Grant Recipients

• Foundation of Light (Sunderland AFC's official charity) - Partnership supporting programmes in education, employability, health, and sport
• Healing Sunderland/HOPS Wellbeing - Received support through the Roseline Fund via Community Foundation for development work

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a geographically focused funder, organisations outside the Sunderland and surrounding areas would not be eligible.

Ready to write a winning application for The Roseline Foundation?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Roseline Foundation is governed by 9 trustees, all appointed on 21 December 2020:

• Philip John Cronin - Chair
• Sophie Cronin - Trustee
• Michael Andrew Cronin - Trustee
• Robert Adam Cronin - Trustee
• Graham Martin Purvis - Trustee
• Susanne Kennedy - Trustee (contact person)
• James Cronin - Trustee
• Michael Thomas Moran - Trustee
• Alison Cronin - Trustee

Governance Principles

• No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
• The foundation has no trading subsidiaries
• All funding comes from investment income rather than fundraising activities

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Roseline Foundation does not appear to operate an open application process advertised on public grant directories. Based on available information, there are two potential routes for funding:

• Email: susanne.kennedy@roselinefoundation.co.uk
• Phone: 0191 281 8191

• Contact: 0191 222 0945 or general@communityfoundation.org.uk
• Applications considered year-round with no set deadlines
• Requires registration on their grantee portal
• Priority given to organisations with income up to £500,000 per year

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available. As the foundation is relatively new (established 2020) and does not publish detailed grant guidelines, timelines likely vary by application.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No information available on reapplication policies or restrictions for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information about The Roseline Foundation's grant-making processes, the following factors are inferred from the foundation's stated mission and known partnerships:

Alignment with Mission

• Geographic Connection: Strong connection to Sunderland and surrounding areas is essential
• Educational Focus: Projects that develop skills and capabilities, particularly for disadvantaged individuals
• Anti-Poverty Impact: Clear pathways showing how the project addresses poverty and creates opportunities
• Social Inclusion: Demonstrable impact on bridging societal gaps and fostering inclusion

Strategic Considerations

• The foundation appears to favour partnership approaches, working alongside universities, local authorities, and other foundations
• Given the family composition of the trustee board (multiple Cronin family members), the foundation may have specific areas of personal interest not publicly documented
• The foundation's substantial asset base and investment income suggest capacity for significant, multi-year grants rather than small one-off awards
• Working through the Community Foundation for some grants suggests they may prefer to leverage existing grant-making infrastructure

Evidence to Provide

• Clear evidence of impact on disadvantaged communities in the Sunderland area
• Demonstrable capacity to deliver educational or skills development outcomes
• Track record of effective community engagement
• Sustainability planning and potential for long-term impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Geographic Focus is Critical: This foundation specifically serves Sunderland and surrounding areas - applications must demonstrate clear benefit to this region.

1. Mission Alignment on Education and Poverty: The dual focus on tackling poverty through education is central to their mission. Projects should clearly articulate how they develop capabilities and skills among disadvantaged individuals.

1. Limited Public Information Requires Direct Engagement: Unlike many foundations, The Roseline Foundation does not publish detailed application guidelines, grant amounts, or open deadlines. Direct contact with trustee Susanne Kennedy may be necessary to understand current priorities and application processes.

1. Partnership Approach: The foundation works through partnerships with universities, local authorities, and the Community Foundation. Consider how your organisation might fit into or complement these existing partnerships.

1. Significant Financial Capacity: With nearly £6 million in annual charitable expenditure, the foundation has capacity for substantial grants. This is not a small grants funder.

1. Relatively New Foundation: Established in 2020, the foundation is still relatively new and may be developing its grant-making approach. Early engagement could be beneficial.

1. Alternative Route via Community Foundation: If direct approaches are unsuccessful, consider applying through the Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, which administers some Roseline funding.

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - The Roseline Foundation, Charity Number 1192886.. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5171487

1. UK Charity Commission - Trustees Information for The Roseline Foundation.. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5171487/trustees

1. Companies House - The Roseline Foundation, Company Number CE024434.. https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/CE024434

1. Charity Champion - The Roseline Foundation Profile.. https://thecharitychampion.com/charity/the-roseline-foundation/

1. Healing Sunderland - Funding page mentioning Roseline Fund support.. https://healing-sunderland.org.uk/funding/

1. Foundation of Light - "Sir Bob Murray reflects on Foundation's 2024" mentioning Roseline Foundation partnership.. https://foundationoflight.co.uk/news/sir-bob-murray-reflects-on-foundation-s-2024/

1. Sunderland Echo - "'We've worked with 23,000 people, it's been remarkable' - Sir Bob Murray's new year reflections for Sunderland's Foundation of Light," December 2024..

1. Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland - Funding and Support Grants information.. https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply/