The Royal Navy And Royal Marines Charity

Charity Number: 1117794

Annual Expenditure: £19.2M
Throughout England And Wales, Scotland

Contact Info

Website: www.rnrmc.org.uk

Phone: 02393 871520

Email: theteam@rnrmc.org.uk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £8.3 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 3 weeks (Minor Grants) / Longer for Major Grants
  • Grant Range: Variable - includes individual support and organizational grants
  • Geographic Focus: National (UK) with specific focus on Naval Service community
  • Total Distributed Since 2007: £30 million+ to 30+ front-line charities

Contact Details

Website: www.rnrmc.org.uk

Phone: 02393 871520

Email: theteam@rnrmc.org.uk

Grants Enquiries: mygrant@rnrmc.org.uk

Overview

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) was established in 2007 as the National Charity of the Royal Navy. Since its founding, in partnership with Greenwich Hospital, it has distributed almost £30 million in grants to over 30 front-line charities. In 2023, the charity reported total charitable expenditure of £8.3 million across their community, supporting 62,741 beneficiaries. In 2024, RNRMC made 1,090 grants and supported 130,000 serving personnel, veterans and their families. The charity underwent a strategic refocus in 2024, with external grants to organisations via the Through Life Pathway temporarily paused as the Board prioritised support for serving Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel and families, while continuing to work closely with charities supporting the veterans' community. Since 2022, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) has been officially affiliated with RNRMC, expanding the beneficiary base.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Minor Grants: Decision within 21 working days

Major Grants: Longer decision process (timeline communicated at application)

Remembrance and Comradeship Grant: Monthly assessment basis - designed to support commemorative events and fellowship activities

Death in Service Grant: £20,000 support grant for families experiencing the death of a serving loved one

Note: As of 2024, external grants to organisations via the Through Life Pathway are not being offered as the charity refocuses on core mission.

Priority Areas

The charity's grants support projects and facilities that:

  • Care for older age veterans - including quality care in specialist residential facilities
  • Improve relationships within naval families - through partnerships with organizations like Relate
  • Assist those in times of need - welfare and crisis support
  • Help transition to civilian life - supporting sailors and marines leaving service
  • Improve morale of serving and deployed personnel - enhancing well-being and efficiency

Beneficiary Groups

  • Serving Royal Navy personnel
  • Serving Royal Marines personnel
  • Maritime Reserves
  • Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) personnel and veterans
  • QARNNS (Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service)
  • Former members of the Women's Royal Naval Service
  • Dependants and families of all the above

What They Don't Fund

  • Retrospective funding: Events that have already taken place or goods/services already purchased
  • Public funding alternatives: Applications where requests could be funded by public money
  • Projects without Naval Service connection: Must demonstrate promotion of Royal Navy efficiency or enhancement of Naval Service personnel/dependant well-being

Governance and Leadership

Chairman

Dr Brian Gilvary - Appointed July 2021, succeeding Sir Bill Thomas. Former Chief Financial Officer of BP plc (2012-2020), currently Chairman of Ineos Energy and Senior Independent Director of Barclays plc.

Chief Executive

Andrew Jameson OBE - Took up post in May 2023. A co-founding serving trustee of the charity in 2007, remaining in that role until 2016.

Quote from Andrew Jameson: “I have been part of the RNRMC from its earliest days and I am honoured and privileged to have been chosen as the Chief Executive.”

Senior Leadership Team

  • Samantha Nicolson MBE - Interim Chief Executive (joined 2008 as CFO)
  • Mandy Lindley - Director of Relationships and Funding (appointed 2015)
  • Dawn Ingram - Director of Fundraising (joined November 2017)
  • Katie Britton - Director of Finance
  • Alice Farrow - Director of Marketing and Communications (joined November 2023)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Complete an enquiry form on the RNRMC website (www.rnrmc.org.uk/apply-grant/enquiry-form)

Step 2: RNRMC will send you the relevant application form based on your enquiry

Two Routes:

  • Individuals: The charity signposts towards RNRMC-funded military welfare organizations
  • Organizations: Separate application process for organizational grants

Decision Timeline

Minor Grants: Outcome known within 21 working days

Major Grants: Longer process; specific timeline advised at time of application

Remembrance and Comradeship Grant: Applications assessed monthly; charity endeavors to process applications to meet event deadlines

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. The charity receives over 2,000 requests for help each year and made 1,090 grants in 2024.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. For questions about reapplying after an unsuccessful application, contact the Grants team at mygrant@rnrmc.org.uk or 023 9387 1520.

Application Success Factors

Key Requirements

Your application must demonstrate that it:

  • Promotes efficiency within the Royal Navy, OR
  • Increases the morale or enhances the well-being of Naval Service personnel and their dependants

Co-Funding Expectations

Ideal scenario: Applicants should cover at least 25% of total project cost through their own efforts

If less than 25%: Provide clear justification in your application explaining why this is not possible

Funding sources to consider:

  • Mess funds
  • Personal contributions from personnel
  • Fundraising activities

Strategic Guidance

Timing is critical: Submit applications well in advance of need. The charity cannot fund events already held or goods already purchased.

Demonstrate multiple funding sources: Show you've explored other avenues and explain why RNRMC funding is needed.

Clear Naval Service connection: Explicitly articulate how your project benefits the Naval Service community.

Provide full organizational backing: Particularly for Remembrance and Comradeship Grants, ensure the application has complete support from the organization or association.

Be prepared for monitoring: Successful applicants must provide feedback and monitoring information to measure impact.

Examples of Funded Projects

Recent partnerships and grants include:

  • SSAFA: Welfare and support for those serving in British Armed Forces, veterans and families
  • Kids: Supporting over 15,000 disabled children, young people and their families
  • Royal Naval Benevolent Trust: Financial assistance and support to RN and RM personnel and families
  • Fighting With Pride: Health and wellbeing of LGBT+ veterans, service personnel and families
  • Veterans Outreach Support: Monthly drop-in facilities for ex-servicemen and direct family members
  • Naval Children's Charity: £2.16 million pledge over 3 years (with Greenwich Hospital)
  • Solent Mind: Extended contract for wellbeing services to military personnel and families across UK
  • Erskine Hospital (Scotland): Care of RN & RM veterans in specialist long-term residential home specializing in dementia

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Strategic shift in 2024: The charity has refocused on serving current serving Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel and families. External organizational grants via Through Life Pathway are currently paused.
  1. Demonstrate self-sufficiency: Show at least 25% co-funding from own sources (or justify why not possible). RNRMC prefers to complement, not replace, other funding.
  1. No retrospective funding: Apply well before events or purchases. The charity cannot fund activities already completed.
  1. Avoid public funding overlap: Do not apply if your request could be funded by public money.
  1. Timeline matters: Minor grants decided in 21 working days; Major grants take longer. Plan accordingly and submit early.
  1. Clear beneficiary connection: Explicitly demonstrate how your project serves Royal Navy, Royal Marines, RFA personnel, veterans, or their families.
  1. Build relationships with funded charities: If you're an individual or small organization, consider connecting with the 30+ front-line charities RNRMC already funds, as they may provide direct support or strengthen your application.

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References