The Rotherwick Foundation
Charity Number: 1058900
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £16,643,735 (2024)
- Total Income: £51,821,595 (2024)
- Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
- Geographic Focus: Within 20-mile radius of Tylney Hall Hotel (Rotherwick, Hampshire), Ashdown Park Hotel (Wych Cross, East Sussex), and The Grand Hotel (Eastbourne)
- Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Contact Details
- Website: rotherwickfoundation.org
- Email: admin@rotherwickfoundation.org
- Phone: 01342 820227
- Registered Address: Ashdown Park, Wych Cross, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JR
Overview
The Rotherwick Foundation is the charitable arm of Elite Hotels, established as a registered charity (1058900) in England and Wales. With significant annual expenditure of over £16.6 million in 2024, the Foundation focuses on supporting carefully chosen projects within the communities surrounding Elite Hotels' three properties. The charity's mission centers on the advancement of education, wellness, and relief of the sick, alongside the advancement of the Protestant religion. The Foundation provides targeted support to organizations and individuals within a defined 20-mile radius of each hotel location, demonstrating a strong commitment to local community impact. The trustees operate without remuneration, and the Foundation has substantial reserves of £35.1 million retained for future use.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The Foundation operates with downloadable application guidelines available on their website, divided into clear sections covering who they support, what they fund, what they don't fund, and the application process. Applications are considered on a rolling basis, with trustees reviewing new applications from April onwards each year.
Priority Areas
Education & Youth Development:
- Scholarships, bursaries, and educational grants for people under 25
- Financial assistance for young people entering trades or professions
- Equipment, books, and clothing for educational purposes
- Support for bursary programmes providing college education opportunities
Health & Wellbeing:
- Relief of the sick and advancement of wellness
- Hospice services, particularly community nursing in patients' homes
- Healthcare infrastructure including hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics
- Support for people with disabilities and special needs
Community & Recreation:
- Public recreation facilities and sports grounds
- Outdoor education centers (e.g., Hindleap Warren)
- Activities for children with special needs and disabilities
Religious Support:
- Advancement of the Protestant religion
- Church maintenance and religious facilities
Specialized Support:
- Assistance dogs for deaf people (recent partnership with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People)
- Other charitable purposes at trustees' discretion
Geographic Restrictions
All funded projects must fall within a 20-mile radius of one of the three Elite Hotel locations:
- Tylney Hall Hotel, Rotherwick, Hampshire
- Ashdown Park Hotel, Wych Cross, East Sussex
- The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne
Residential Eligibility
For individual applicants, the applicant or their parents/guardians must:
- Be resident in specified localities within the 20-mile radius, OR
- Have attended local schools for at least 5 years
What They Don't Fund
While specific exclusions are detailed in their downloadable guidelines, the Foundation emphasizes geographic restrictions as a primary limiting factor. Projects outside the 20-mile radius of their three hotel locations will not be considered.
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Governance and Leadership
Trustees
The Foundation is governed by four trustees who serve without remuneration:
- Colonel Phillippe Roland Rossiter
- Mark Quentin Robinson
- Jonathan Michael Webb
- Andrew Henry Warde Dixon
All trustees receive no payments or benefits from the charity, demonstrating their voluntary commitment to the Foundation's mission.
Organizational Structure
The Rotherwick Foundation operates as the charitable arm of Elite Hotels, maintaining a clear separation while benefiting from the corporate relationship. The charity has no trading subsidiaries and operates solely through grant-making activities.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
- Download Guidelines: Visit rotherwickfoundation.org to access comprehensive application guidelines
- Review Eligibility: Ensure your project falls within the 20-mile radius and meets priority area criteria
- Check Residential Requirements: For individuals, confirm residency or school attendance requirements
- Submit Application: Follow the process outlined in the downloadable guidelines
The Foundation welcomes applications from both individuals and groups meeting their eligibility criteria.
Application Timing
- Rolling Applications: New applications are considered from April onwards each year
- Application Advice: The Foundation states it will be “considering new applications for support from April 2022” (most recent published statement)
Decision Timeline
The Foundation aims to be “as clear as possible about how long the process usually takes” according to their website, though specific timeframes are detailed in their downloadable guidelines rather than published online.
Success Rates
Success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed by the Foundation.
Reapplication Policy
Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is contained within the Foundation's downloadable guidelines.
Application Success Factors
Geographic Alignment is Critical
The 20-mile radius requirement is strictly enforced. Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their project or circumstances fall within the eligible geographic area around one of the three hotel locations.
Demonstrated Local Impact
Based on funded projects, the Foundation values:
- Life-Changing Opportunities: Support for bursary programmes providing transformative educational access
- Community-Based Services: Projects delivering services directly in beneficiaries' homes or local areas (e.g., hospice “Closer to You” project)
- Inclusive Access: Activities for children with special needs and disabilities (e.g., Hindleap Warren support)
- Practical Support: Tangible assistance through equipment, facilities, or financial aid
Recent Funded Projects (Examples)
- Bursary programmes providing college education access for disadvantaged young people
- Hospice “Closer to You” project delivering community nursing services in Eastbourne and Wealden areas
- Hindleap Warren Outdoor Education Centre facilities and special needs activities
- Hearing Dogs for Deaf People (charity of the year partnership 2023/2024, with Elite Hotels raising over £4,000)
Application Best Practices
- Clarity on Geography: Explicitly state the location and demonstrate it falls within the 20-mile radius
- Alignment with Priorities: Clearly link your project to education, wellness, or relief of the sick
- Community Connection: Show how the project serves local residents or those with local school attendance history
- Tangible Outcomes: Focus on concrete, measurable benefits to beneficiaries
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Geographic eligibility is non-negotiable – verify your project location falls within 20 miles of Tylney Hall, Ashdown Park, or The Grand Hotel Eastbourne before applying
- Download and study the complete guidelines – the Foundation provides detailed application information in their downloadable document; use it to ensure full compliance
- Emphasize local community benefit – the Foundation prioritizes projects serving the immediate communities around their hotel locations
- Target education and health priorities – strongest alignment appears to be with educational support for under-25s and health/wellness initiatives
- Demonstrate transformative impact – funded projects show the Foundation values life-changing opportunities and meaningful community support
- Apply from April onwards – plan applications to align with the trustees' annual review cycle beginning in April
- Contact the Foundation directly – with substantial resources (£35M+ retained), they may be able to support significant projects; engage early to discuss fit
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References
- The Rotherwick Foundation official website: https://rotherwickfoundation.org/
- UK Charity Commission Register - The Rotherwick Foundation (Charity 1058900): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/1058900/full-print
- Hearing Dogs for Deaf People - Elite Hotels & The Rotherwick Foundation partnership: https://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/support/corporate-support/our-corporate-partnerships/elite-hotels/
- Uni Grants - The Rotherwick Foundation profile: http://unigrants.co.uk/grant/the-rotherwick-foundation/
- Financial data sourced from Charity Commission registered accounts for financial year 2024