The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity

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 organisational grants
• Geographic Focus: National (UK) with specific focus on Naval Service community
• Total Distributed in First Decade: £50 million+

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, bringing together over 60 existing Royal Navy and Royal Marines charitable funds. In its first decade, the charity distributed over £50 million in grants in partnership with Greenwich Hospital. In 2023, the charity reported total charitable expenditure of £8.3 million across their community. 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. In April 2022, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) officially became affiliated with RNRMC, expanding the beneficiary base.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

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 (increased from £15,000 in April 2022)

Note: As of 2024, external grants to organisations via the Through Life Pathway are temporarily paused 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 organisations 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

Ready to write a winning application for The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity?

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

Learn more >

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

Samantha Nicolson MBE - Appointed November 2025. Joined RNRMC in 2008 as Head of Finance, became Chief Financial Officer in 2015, and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2020. She was appointed MBE in the King's Birthday Honours.

Quote from Dr Brian Gilvary: "The Board is delighted to confirm Sam's appointment as Chief Executive. During her time as Interim CEO, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and a heartfelt commitment to the people we serve."

Senior Leadership Team

• Mandy Lindley - Deputy Chief Executive Officer (appointed February 2026) and Director of Relationships and Funding (appointed 2015)
• Dawn Ingram - Director of Fundraising
• Katie Britton - Director of Finance
• Alice Farrow - Director of Marketing and Communications (joined 2023)

How to Apply to The Royal Navy And Royal Marines Charity

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 organisations
• Organisations: Separate application process for organisational 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 endeavours to process applications to meet event deadlines

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed.

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 organisational backing: Particularly for Remembrance and Comradeship Grants, ensure the application has complete support from the organisation 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 specialising 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 organisational grants via Through Life Pathway are temporarily 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 organisation, consider connecting with the charities RNRMC already funds, as they may provide direct support or strengthen your application.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Greenwich Hospital
• Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
• Army Benevolent Fund
• The Gosling Foundation Limited
• National Lottery
• The Michael Uren Foundation
• The February Foundation
• The Veterans' Foundation
• Moondance Foundation
• The National Garden Scheme
• The Syncona Foundation
• The Calleva Foundation
• The Muriel And Gershon Coren Charitable Foundation
• John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust
• The Albert Hunt Trust
• The Sir James Knott Trust
• The Colyer-fergusson Charitable Trust
• Royal Engineers Association
• The Rivers Trust
• York Minster Fund

References

• Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity Official Website - www.rnrmc.org.uk
• RNRMC Grant FAQ Page - https://www.rnrmc.org.uk/grant-faq
• RNRMC “How We Help” Page - https://www.rnrmc.org.uk/how-we-help
• RNRMC “Apply for a Grant” Page - https://www.rnrmc.org.uk/apply-grant
• RNRMC “Support for Organisations” Page - https://www.rnrmc.org.uk/apply-grant/support-organisations
• RNRMC “Charities We Fund” Page - https://www.rnrmc.org.uk/about-us/charities-we-fund
• RNRMC Senior Leadership Team Page - https://www.rnrmc.org.uk/about-us/our-organisation/our-people/senior-leadership-team
• RNRMC “Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity confirms Samantha Nicolson MBE in post as Chief Executive Officer” - Cobseo, November 2025
• RNRMC “Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity Appoints New Chairman” - https://www.rnrmc.org.uk/news/royal-navy-and-royal-marines-charity-appoints-new-chairman
• Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 1117794 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1117794
• RNRMC Wikipedia Entry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNRMC
• Royal Navy - “Royal Fleet Auxiliary becomes affiliated with the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity” - April 2022
• RNRMC "£3k increase to 'Death in service' grant brings royal navy into line with army and RAF" - https://www.rnrmc.org.uk/news/ps3k-increase-death-service-grant-brings-royal-navy-line-army-and-raf