The Royal Air Force Central Fund

Charity Number: 1152560

Annual Expenditure: £3.7M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £3.74m (charitable activities, 2024)
  • Total Income: £6.64m (2024)
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £50,000 (enrichment grants); sports grants vary by tier
  • Decision Time: 4 weeks - 3 months (monthly review for small grants; quarterly for large grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Serving RAF personnel worldwide
  • Application Method: Rolling basis (sports grants); fixed quarterly deadlines (enrichment grants)

Contact Details

Main Office

  • Tel: 01494 569068
  • Address: Hurricane Building, HQ Air Command, RAF High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 4UE
  • Principal Office: RAF Central Fund Danesfield, Henley Road, Medmenham, Marlow SL7 2EY

Grant-Specific Contacts

  • Sports Grants: 01494 569135 / sportsgrants@rafcf.org.uk
  • Enrichment/Station Grants: grants@rafcf.org.uk or 01494 569135
  • RAF Sports Lottery: 0370 050 5893 / rafsports@sterlinglotteries.co.uk

Website: www.rafcf.org.uk

Overview

The Royal Air Force Central Fund is a registered charity (number 1152560 in England and Wales; SC044299 in Scotland) dedicated to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of serving RAF personnel worldwide through grant funding for sport and physical activities. Incorporated in 2013, the Fund traces its origins to the Air Council Central Fund established by serving RAF personnel to support welfare and morale. The organization is a significant funder with annual income of £6.64 million and charitable expenditure of £3.74 million, distributed through multiple grant streams to individuals, units, stations, and 55 RAF Sports Associations. The Fund received a Team Commendation in the 2024 King's Birthday Honours in recognition of its dedication to delivering sport and physical activities within the RAF. A landmark merger in 2024 with the RAF Sports Federation and 36 RAF Sports Associations positioned the Fund at the center of RAF sport governance, while maintaining its core mission: ensuring all serving personnel, regardless of rank, role, ability, or competing level, can access sporting opportunities and physical activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual and Small Group Sports Grants: First-come-first-served basis throughout the year (grant year runs 1 January to 30 September). Applications support serving RAF personnel and small groups with costs for kit, specialist equipment, competition/event entrance fees, and training. Grant amounts are tiered based on RAF Sports Lottery ticket holdings, with enhanced support available for lottery participants. Applicants require endorsement from appropriate authority within their sport/unit.

Station/Unit Enrichment Grants (Capital and Community Projects):

  • Small to Medium Grants: Up to £5,000 (reviewed and decided monthly)
  • Large Grants: Up to £50,000 (reviewed by Grants Committee at three scheduled meetings annually in February, May, and September)

These grants enable RAF stations and units to benefit the maximum number of personnel through capital projects, welfare facilities, and community support initiatives.

Sports Association Grants: Funding provided to the 55 RAF Sports Associations based on operating costs, membership levels, and strategic objectives. Allocation prioritizes new member engagement to increase participation across the RAF.

Priority Areas

  • Increasing participation in sport and physical activities among serving RAF personnel
  • Expanding access to sports and physical activity opportunities at stations and units
  • Supporting capital projects that enhance sporting facilities and infrastructure
  • Funding individual development and competitive opportunities across all RAF sports
  • Promoting mental and physical wellbeing through sport
  • Ensuring inclusive access regardless of rank, role, physical ability, or competing level

What They Don't Fund

  • Applications without proper endorsement from appropriate authority
  • Retrospective funding (costs incurred before application submission)
  • Projects outside the grant year deadline (after 30 September)
  • Non-serving RAF personnel or external charities (with limited exceptions through targeted programs)
  • Individuals or organizations not affiliated with the RAF
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Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

  • Ross Perriam – Chief Executive Officer
  • Niki Graske – Chief Operating Officer
  • Hannah Booth – Head of Grant Programmes
  • Alex Sexton – Head of Marketing & Communications
  • Karen Hansford – Head of Operations
  • Ian Hamilton – Head of Finance

Governance Structure: The Fund is governed by 7 trustees and operates with 16 employees and 105 volunteers. The organization celebrates its trustees as “Champions of the RAF Central Fund” and emphasizes trustee contributions to the charity's evolving work.

Leadership Perspective: CEO Ross Perriam stated regarding the 2024 King's Birthday Honours recognition: “To receive recognition in this way is a brilliant achievement for the Fund and it demonstrates the passion, professionalism and commitment that the team have towards enhancing the health and wellbeing of serving RAF personnel.” Perriam has emphasized the Fund's commitment to “strengthen[ing] the support provided to Sports Associations, reducing their individual risk and assisting them to deliver experiences that lead to improved physical and mental wellbeing outcomes” following the 2024 merger.

How to Apply to The Royal Air Force Central Fund

How to Apply

Sports Grants

  1. Download the relevant 2025 Sports Grant application form from www.rafcf.org.uk
  2. Complete the form accurately, ensuring you have obtained quotes from Specialist Sports (preferred supplier) where possible
  3. Obtain signed endorsement from the appropriate endorser for your sport and competing level
  4. Submit the completed, endorsed form by email to sportsgrants@rafcf.org.uk
  5. Receive acknowledgment email confirming receipt date
  6. Upon approval, receive email notification detailing when funding will be paid

Applications are processed on a first-come-first-served basis. Applications must be submitted by 30 September each year; any applications received after this date will not be considered.

Enrichment/Station Grants

  1. Contact the RAF Central Fund grants team to discuss your project requirement and identify which grant category is best suited (grants@rafcf.org.uk or 01494 569135)
  2. The grants team will provide the appropriate application form and connect you with your local RAF Central Fund Station Ambassador for personalized support
  3. Complete application form with endorsement from your Station Commander
  4. Submit application before the relevant quarterly deadline (February 14, May 9, or September 12)
  5. Grants Committee reviews and makes decisions at scheduled meetings

The Fund emphasizes early contact with the grants team to ensure applications are properly tailored and supported.

Decision Timeline

Sports Grants: First-come-first-served throughout the year (1 January - 30 September grant year). Applications typically processed within 4-6 weeks. Applicants notified by email of decision and payment details.

Small to Medium Enrichment Grants (up to £5,000): Reviewed and decided on a monthly basis. Applicants can expect decision notification within 4-8 weeks of submission.

Large Enrichment Grants (up to £50,000): Reviewed by Grants Committee at three fixed meetings annually:

  • February meeting (deadline: February 14)
  • May meeting (deadline: May 9)
  • September meeting (deadline: September 12)

Decisions typically made within 2-4 weeks of the committee meeting.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available. However, the Fund distributed £3.74 million in charitable activities in 2024, indicating significant capacity for grant-making. The organization emphasizes that all properly endorsed applications are considered and that the grants team actively supports applicants throughout the process.

Reapplication Policy

The policy on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants is not explicitly documented in publicly available materials. However, the Fund's emphasis on ongoing support and annual grant cycles (running 1 January - 30 September) suggests that unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent grant years. Applicants are advised to contact the grants team (grants@rafcf.org.uk or 01494 569135) to discuss feedback on previous applications and guidance for future submissions.

Application Success Factors

Funder-Specific Guidance

The RAF Central Fund emphasizes that “ultimately, we want everyone regardless of their role, rank, physical ability or competing level to have access to sports facilities, equipment and training.” This commitment to inclusive access is central to their decision-making and suggests that proposals demonstrating broad benefit to serving personnel are particularly attractive.

For Enrichment Grants, the Fund values applications that demonstrate understanding of “how the challenges of service life affect the RAF community with regards to health and fitness.” As stated in their guidance: “As a charity, it is vital to us that we continue to understand and respond to the evolving needs of the serving RAF community.”

Critical Success Factors

  1. Proper Endorsement: All applications must be endorsed by appropriate authority (endorser for sports, Station Commander for enrichment grants). Applications without proper endorsement will not be processed. Self-endorsed applications are explicitly not permitted.
  1. Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Applications that support the Fund's core objectives—increasing participation in sport and physical activities, improving physical and mental wellbeing, and benefiting the maximum number of personnel—are prioritized.
  1. Clear Beneficiary Definition: For station grants, clearly articulate how the project will benefit personnel. For sports grants, demonstrate individual or small group participation and clear sporting purpose.
  1. Use of Preferred Suppliers: For sports grants, sourcing from the Fund's preferred supplier (Specialist Sports) demonstrates efficiency and may strengthen applications.
  1. Timeliness: Submit sports grants well before the 30 September deadline; for enrichment grants, submit before the relevant quarterly deadline to ensure proper consideration.
  1. Early Engagement: Contacting the grants team before formal submission significantly improves outcomes. Station Ambassadors provide personalized support and help tailor applications to the Fund's priorities.

Examples of Funded Projects

Recent awards demonstrate the Fund's range:

  • RAF Akrotiri Sub-Aqua Club: Awarded grant for essential equipment, enabling weekly training for qualified divers and introducing new members to the sport
  • RAF Polo Association: Funded through grants that contributed to winning both the Duke of York's Cup and the Sassoon Cup in the Inter-Services 2025
  • RAF Pumas Ice Hockey: Ongoing support for the only military female ice hockey team in the UK
  • RAF Brize Norton Saddle Club: Granted funding for branded clothing to enhance team identity and belonging
  • RAF Shawbury Gliding Club: Support through Mechanics Endowment Fund bursary, contributing to milestone of 100 students trained

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Restricted Eligibility: The Fund exclusively supports serving RAF personnel, RAF stations, units, and 55 RAF Sports Associations. External charities or non-RAF-affiliated organizations cannot apply. Ensure your organization meets this fundamental requirement before investing application effort.
  • Endorsement is Non-Negotiable: All applications require endorsement from appropriate authority. Lack of proper endorsement is grounds for immediate rejection. Establish your endorser relationship early in the process.
  • Multiple Paths with Different Timelines: Choose the right grant stream for your needs—sports grants offer rolling review (faster for small asks), while enrichment grants require quarterly submission (better for larger capital projects). Contact the team to determine fit.
  • Station Ambassadors are Your Advantage: For enrichment grants, the Fund will connect you with your local Station Ambassador who provides personalized support. Use this resource actively—early engagement with ambassadors correlates with stronger applications.
  • Demonstrate Inclusive Impact: The Fund's commitment to ensuring access “regardless of role, rank, physical ability or competing level” runs deep. Applications showing how projects serve broad populations or remove barriers to participation stand out.
  • Align with the 2024 Strategic Shift: Following the merger with RAF Sports Associations, the Fund is focused on strengthening association support and reducing governance risk while improving wellbeing outcomes. Applications supporting these objectives will resonate with decision-makers.
  • Use the Sports Lottery Advantage: If your organization participates in the RAF Sports Lottery, you may be eligible for enhanced grant support. Emphasize lottery participation in applications.

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