The Royal Victoria Trust For The Blind

Quick Stats

• Annual Expenditure: £268,281 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (approx. 3-4 months between meetings)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £5,000
• Geographic Focus: Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire, and Cumbria

Contact Details

• Website: https://rvtb.org.uk
• Email: secretary@rvtb.org.uk (preferred contact method)
• Phone: 07554 166385
• Address: PO Box 920, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, NE26 9FP

Overview

The Royal Victoria Trust for the Blind was established in 1985 following the closure of the Royal Victoria School in Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne. The trust has a unique heritage dating back to 1838, when a public meeting chose to create an “asylum for the blind” instead of celebrating Queen Victoria's coronation. Originally operating as a school and training facility for visually impaired children and adults, the organization transformed into a grant-giving charitable trust after educational policy changes in the 1980s.

With an annual expenditure of £268,281 (2024), the trust supports local voluntary organizations working exclusively with people with sight loss across Northern England. The trust is administered by a small group of unpaid officers and voluntary trustees, many of whom either have sight loss themselves or have worked in the sight loss field. This volunteer-led structure means the trust operates without employees or premises, preferring email communication as the primary contact method.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Standard Grants: £1,000 - £5,000 (rolling application, quarterly decisions)
• Applications accepted throughout the year
• Trustees meet quarterly (typically second Friday in January, April, July, October)
• Applications must be submitted at least 10 days before meeting date

Priority Areas

• Projects and services specifically for people with sight loss
• Creating or improving services for visually impaired people
• Partnership work with other similar organisations on collaborative projects
• Demonstration equipment for organizations serving people with sight loss
• Staff IT equipment to support service delivery

What They Don't Fund

• Statutory bodies (e.g., local authorities or educational establishments)
• Local branches of national organisations (except in exceptional circumstances)
• Individuals
• Capital costs (building or refurbishment costs, fixtures and fittings, vehicle purchases)
• Retrospective expenses
• Repeat funding within 2 years of a successful award

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Chair: Ann Margaret Ruddick

Trustees:

• Jack Moffat (appointed October 2024)
• June Christine Gowland (appointed January 2024)
• Karen Anne Hannah (appointed February 2020)
• Sheridan Dixon (appointed November 2018)
• Angus Robert Huntley (appointed November 2018)
• Paul John Edward Smith (appointed March 2017)
• Susan Rosemary Gregg (appointed March 2017)
• Richard Martin Wood (appointed January 2014)

The trustees are unpaid volunteers who bring direct experience of sight loss or professional experience working in the sight loss sector. Several trustees also hold roles in other charities supporting visually impaired people, including Northumberland County Blind Association and Sunderland and North Durham Royal Society for the Blind.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Organizations must:

1. Submit application at least 10 days before the next quarterly meeting
2. Email completed applications to secretary@rvtb.org.uk (preferred) or post to their Whitley Bay address

Decision Timeline

• Trustees meet quarterly (typically the second Friday in January, April, July, and October for the AGM)
• Applications must arrive at least 10 days before the meeting date
• Decision timeframe depends on submission timing relative to quarterly meetings
• Successful applicants must submit a report within 3 months of the award period showing what has been achieved with the funding

Success Rates

Success rate statistics are not publicly disclosed. The trust received an income of £271,189 in 2024 and made expenditures of £268,281, suggesting active grant distribution.

Reapplication Policy

• Organizations cannot receive repeat funding within 2 years of a successful award
• Unsuccessful applicants can reapply after 12 months

Application Success Factors

Complete Documentation is Essential: The trust requires comprehensive supporting documentation including constitution, quotes, annual accounts, and bank statements. Incomplete applications are unlikely to be considered.

Geographic Eligibility is Strict: Organizations must operate within the specified beneficial area covering Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire, and Cumbria. The trust only supports work in this region.

Exclusive Focus on Sight Loss: The trust emphasizes that supported organizations must work “exclusively for and with sight impaired people.” Organizations serving multiple disability groups may not be eligible unless they can demonstrate exclusive sight loss work.

Partnership Projects are Valued: The trust specifically lists “partnership work with other similar organisations on collaborative projects” as a funding priority, suggesting they value collaborative approaches to service delivery.

Quarterly Planning Required: With meetings only four times per year, applicants should plan submissions strategically, ensuring applications arrive at least 10 days before the next scheduled meeting to avoid delays of several months.

Follow-up Accountability Matters: The requirement to submit a report within 3 months of the award period demonstrates the trust's commitment to accountability. Strong reporting on previous grants would likely support future applications (within the 2-year restriction).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic focus is non-negotiable: Ensure your organization operates within the five-county beneficial area before applying
• Small charity friendly: The £500,000 income cap and grant range (£1,000-£5,000) indicate this funder is specifically designed for smaller local organizations
• Timing matters: With only four decision points per year, submit well in advance of quarterly meetings and plan for potential 3-4 month wait times
• Exclusive sight loss work required: Organizations serving multiple disability groups are unlikely to be successful unless applying for exclusively sight loss-focused projects
• Email communication preferred: The volunteer-led structure means email is the best way to contact the trust, with responses potentially taking longer than larger funders with paid staff
• Two-year gap between awards: Plan your funding pipeline carefully as you cannot return for additional funding within two years of a successful grant
• Trustee expertise valued: Many trustees have personal experience of sight loss or professional backgrounds in the sector, so applications demonstrating deep understanding of sight loss needs will resonate

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Jack Brunton Charitable Trust
• The David Snowdon Trust
• THE 1989 WILLAN CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE SIR JAMES KNOTT TRUST
• Two Ridings Community Foundation
• Community Foundation Serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
• 3R Foundation
• The Harold and Alice Bridges Charity
• TEES VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
• West Riding Masonic Charities Limited

References

• The Royal Victoria Trust for the Blind official website: https://rvtb.org.uk
• The Royal Victoria Trust for the Blind - Applying for Funding page: https://rvtb.org.uk/applying-for-funding/
• The Royal Victoria Trust for the Blind - About the Trust: https://rvtb.org.uk/about-the-trust/
• Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 528072: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/528072
• Carlisle City Council - Grants and Funding information: https://www.carlisle.gov.uk/Residents/Grants-and-Funding/royal-victoria-trust-for-the-blind