The Rubin Foundation Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £994,047 (charitable activities expenditure, 2023/24)
• Total Income: £2,181,511 (2023/24)
• Grant Range: £55,000 - £1,000,000+ (multi-year commitments observed)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales, with significant international giving to Israel
• Application Process: No public application process - invitation only

Contact Details

Registered Address: 8 Manchester Square, London, W1U 3PH

Associated Website: pentland.com (Pentland Group)

Charity Number: 327062

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website or accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Rubin Foundation Charitable Trust was registered on 11 March 1986 and operates as a private family foundation managed by the Rubin family, owners of the Pentland Group (a global sporting goods and apparel business with brands including Speedo, Berghaus, Canterbury, and Mitre). Chaired by Robert Stephen Rubin OBE, the foundation has grown from a modest operation to one with over £2 million in annual income (2023/24), primarily from family donations and investment returns.

The foundation makes grants across diverse causes aligned with the family's interests, including sustainability in business, Jewish education and culture, human rights, social policy research, and sports development. While operating on an invitation-only basis with no public application process, the foundation has demonstrated consistent support for major multi-year initiatives, particularly the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business at Lancaster University, which has received over £2 million in funding since 2015, with a further £1 million committed through 2030.

Robert Stephen Rubin was appointed OBE in 2003 for services to business and human rights, and his philanthropic work reflects these values through strategic, long-term partnerships with organizations advancing sustainability, education, and community development.

Funding Priorities

Known Grant Recipients and Funding Areas

The foundation makes grants across several key areas:

Sustainability and Business Research

• Lancaster University's Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business: Multi-year commitment of £1 million+ (2015-2030), supporting research that brings scientists and management experts together with business leaders to improve sustainable business practices

Jewish Education and Cultural Preservation

• UJIA (United Jewish Israel Appeal): £500,000+ (2007-2009 period)
• Support for organizations promoting Jewish education and cultural preservation

Sports Development

• Wingate Institute of Physical Education & Sport, Israel: Long-term support including development of the Speedo Aquatic Centre
• Support for Israeli and UK teams competing in World Maccabiah Games (in-kind equipment donations)

Social Policy Research

• Civitas (Institute for the Study of Civil Society): £55,250 (2007-2009)

Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination

• Support for the Parliamentary Committee Against Antisemitism (later Antisemitism Policy Trust) via Pentland Group funding

Funding Characteristics

• Grant sizes: Range from £55,000 to over £1 million
• Duration: Strong preference for multi-year commitments (evidenced by 15+ years of support to Lancaster University)
• Focus: Strategic partnerships aligned with family business interests (sustainability, sports) and values (Jewish community, human rights, education)
• Geographic scope: Primarily England and Wales, with significant international giving to Israel

What They Don't Fund

Based on observed giving patterns, the foundation appears to focus on:

• Strategic initiatives rather than general operating support
• Established organizations with clear track records
• Causes with direct connections to family interests or values
• Organizations where trustees have pre-existing relationships

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (All appointed 1986)

• Robert Stephen Rubin OBE (Chair) - Chairman of Pentland Group plc, appointed OBE in 2003 for services to business and human rights, board member of CEJI - A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe
• Alison Jayne Mosheim
• Andrew Keith Rubin
• Angela Sophia Rubin
• Carolyn Louise Rubin

All five trustees are members of the Rubin family. None receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Leadership Perspective

Robert Stephen Rubin's business leadership has been characterized by his commitment to ethical practices and sustainability. During his time as World Chairman of the Textile Institute and President of the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry, he “made a phenomenal difference to eliminating child labor in India and Pakistan,” setting industry standards for fair trade and sustainability. This commitment to responsible business practices is reflected in the foundation's major funding of the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Rubin Foundation Charitable Trust operates on an invitation-only basis. Grants are awarded to pre-selected charitable organizations chosen by the trustees, typically through the family's existing connections in business, the Jewish community, and the sporting goods industry.

All funding decisions are made at the discretion of the five family member trustees, based on causes and organizations that align with the family's values and interests.

Getting on Their Radar

Lancaster University Connection: The foundation's longest-standing and most significant partnership is with Lancaster University's Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business. This relationship demonstrates the family's interest in supporting academic research that addresses sustainability challenges in the sporting goods and apparel industries.

Pentland Group Network: Given the close connection between the foundation and Pentland Group (which owns Speedo, Berghaus, Canterbury, Mitre, and other sports brands), organizations working on sustainability in the sporting goods sector, sports development, or related fields may find natural connection points through business relationships.

Jewish Community Organizations: The foundation has shown substantial support for Jewish education and cultural organizations, particularly those with UK-Israel connections (UJIA, Wingate Institute). Organizations in this sector that are well-established and respected within the UK Jewish community may be considered.

Sports and Youth Development: The family's support for the Wingate Institute (Israel's national institute for excellence in sports) and their outfitting of teams for the World Maccabiah Games indicates interest in youth sports development and excellence in athletics, particularly projects with Jewish community connections.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on a proactive model where trustees identify beneficiaries rather than reviewing applications on a schedule.

Financial Information

2023/24 Financial Year (ending 5 April 2024):

• Total income: £2,181,511
• Donations and legacies: £2,000,000
• Investments: £181,511
• Total expenditure: £1,031,453
• Charitable activities: £994,047
• Raising funds: £37,406
• Investment gains: £499,717

2022/23 Financial Year:

• Total income: £1,120,233

Application Success Factors

Given this is an invitation-only foundation, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their giving patterns reveals key characteristics of organizations they support:

Long-term Strategic Impact: The foundation's 15+ year commitment to Lancaster University demonstrates preference for partnerships that create sustained, measurable impact rather than one-off projects. Organizations should be positioned for multi-year engagement.

Alignment with Business Interests: The Pentland Centre for Sustainability directly relates to the family's sporting goods business challenges. Organizations addressing issues relevant to the sporting goods industry, sustainable manufacturing, or ethical supply chains may align with foundation interests.

Family Values Reflection: Support for UJIA, Wingate Institute, and antisemitism prevention work reflects strong commitment to Jewish community and human rights. Organizations working in these areas with established credibility may be considered.

Excellence and Innovation: Support for Lancaster University's research center and the Wingate Institute (Israel's national sports excellence center) indicates appreciation for organizations pursuing excellence and innovation in their fields.

Established Track Record: Known recipients are well-established institutions (major university, national sports institute, established think tank, major Jewish charity). The foundation appears to prefer supporting proven organizations rather than start-ups.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - this is a closed, family-managed foundation that identifies beneficiaries through trustee networks and pre-existing relationships
• Multi-year commitments are the norm - the Lancaster University partnership has received £2+ million over 15+ years, with further funding committed through 2030
• Family business connection matters - the foundation's largest grant supports research directly relevant to Pentland Group's sustainability challenges in the sporting goods industry
• Jewish community and Israel connections are significant - over £500,000 to UJIA, long-term support for Wingate Institute, and backing for antisemitism prevention initiatives demonstrate strong commitment
• Strategic focus over broad giving - with £994,047 in annual charitable expenditure and a small number of known recipients, the foundation makes substantial grants to carefully selected organizations rather than distributing small amounts widely
• Sports and sustainability intersection - the convergence of the family's business in sporting goods and their philanthropic support for sports development and sustainability research suggests this intersection is a sweet spot
• Think regionally and internationally - while registered in England and Wales, significant giving goes to Israel, indicating willingness to fund beyond UK borders for the right causes

References

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - The Rubin Foundation Charitable Trust (327062) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/327062 -

1. Lancaster University - "Lancaster University's Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business awarded £1million funding" - https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/giving/news/lancaster-universitys-pentland-centre-for-sustainability-in-business-awarded-1million-funding -

1. Lancaster University - Pentland Centre Founders - https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/pentland/about/founders/ -

1. International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame - R. Stephen Rubin profile - https://jewishsportshof.org/listings/r-stephen-rubin/ -

1. Powerbase - Rubin Foundation Charitable Trust - https://powerbase.info/index.php/Rubin_Foundation_Charitable_Trust -

1. Wikipedia - Stephen Rubin - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Rubin -