Winchester Rotary Charitable Incorporated Organisation

Charity Number: 1198772

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately £100,000-£160,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified
  • Grant Range: £500 - £25,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Winchester and Hampshire, with some international projects

Contact Details

Website: https://winchester-rotary.org/

Email: ian@cival.uk

Phone: 07771716778

Registered Address: 49 Peninsula Square, Winchester

Overview

Winchester Rotary Charitable Incorporated Organisation was registered as a CIO on 28 April 2022, succeeding the Winchester Rotary Club Trust Fund (charity 283632) which transferred funds to the new structure in June 2024. The organisation's charitable objects are “for the public benefit in Winchester, any other part of the United Kingdom or elsewhere in the world, to relieve the poor and needy, promote peace, improve health and literacy, and to further such other humanitarian purposes which are exclusively charitable.” With 4 trustees and 200 volunteers, the charity recorded income of £117,291 and expenditure of £159,330 for the year ending 30 June 2024. Winchester Rotary operates primarily through grant making, supporting children and young people, elderly people, people with disabilities, and other charities and voluntary bodies across Hampshire and internationally.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Winchester Rotary makes grants across various funding streams:

  • Community Grants: Supporting local charities, community projects, schools, and hospitals in Winchester
  • Presidential Charities: Annual selection of priority charities by the club president (typically 1-2 organisations)
  • Event-Based Distributions: Grants funded through major fundraising events including the Clarendon Marathon
  • International Projects: Smaller grants (£500+) for international humanitarian projects

Grant amounts range from approximately £500 for smaller projects to £25,000+ for major recipients like Winchester Hospice.

Priority Areas

Winchester Rotary focuses on targeted projects that address:

  • Health and medical services
  • Hunger and poverty relief
  • Elderly care and support
  • Children and young people
  • Domestic abuse prevention and support
  • Education and literacy
  • Disabilities
  • Community development
  • Environmental conservation
  • International humanitarian aid

Recent beneficiaries include Winchester Hospice (over £25,000 in 2023-24), Trinity Centre Women's Services (Freedom Programme for domestic abuse survivors), Hope Street Project (residential community for women and children in the justice system), Winchester Street Reach/Youth Options (youth services), and Friends of the Family (supporting vulnerable children and their families).

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated on their website, typical Rotary restrictions apply:

  • Sectarian or religious purposes
  • Political causes or lobbying
  • Endowments
  • Deficit financing
  • Ongoing operational costs (preference for specific projects)
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  1. Ian Richard Valentine - Treasurer and Club President (Contact: 49 Peninsula Square, Winchester)
  2. Mark Anthony Butcher
  3. Michael Adrian Court
  4. Paul Anthony Russell (Also trustee of Friends of the Dean Garnier Garden)

Key Approach

The club operates with approximately 200 active volunteers and works collaboratively with partner Rotary clubs including Salisbury Rotary. President Ian Valentine has stated the club's commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, having chosen Friends of the Family as his presidential charity - “a small, Winchester-based organisation that supports vulnerable children and their families through trained volunteers.”

The organisation maintains comprehensive governance policies including safeguarding, risk management, financial controls, and volunteer management procedures. They are registered with HMRC for gift aid purposes.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Winchester Rotary Charitable Incorporated Organisation does not have a publicly advertised application process on their website. Based on their operational model, grants are awarded through several mechanisms:

  1. Presidential Selection: The club president selects 1-2 presidential charities annually to receive focused fundraising support
  2. Member Nominations: Projects may be nominated by club members for consideration
  3. Event-Based Support: Organizations that provide marshaling support at events like the Clarendon Marathon may receive donations
  4. Direct Approach: Organizations can contact the club directly via email (ian@cival.uk) or phone (07771716778)

Getting on Their Radar

Winchester Rotary has specific ways organizations can connect with them:

  • Volunteer at Fundraising Events: Organizations that help marshal at the Clarendon Marathon (held annually on the first Sunday of October) receive donations in return. This provides both relationship-building and funding opportunities.
  • Connect with Club Members: With 200 active volunteers, Winchester Rotary has extensive community connections. Building relationships with individual Rotarians who understand your work may lead to nominations for support.
  • Presidential Charity Selection: Each year the incoming club president selects their priority charities. Organizations working in Rotary's priority areas should be aware of this annual opportunity.
  • Attend Rotary Events: Winchester Rotary holds regular meetings at The United Church and informal lunches at King Charles Pub, Kings Worthy. Attending or connecting at these events can facilitate introductions.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified but appear to vary by funding mechanism:

  • Presidential charities are selected annually at the start of each Rotary year
  • Event-based distributions occur following major fundraising events (Clarendon Marathon in October, Bonfire in November)
  • General grant decisions appear to be made on a rolling basis throughout the year

A sixty-day notice is preferred for any funding request according to historical guidance from the predecessor trust.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The organization distributed £159,330 in the 2023-24 financial year across multiple beneficiaries.

Reapplication Policy

Based on guidance from the predecessor Winchester Rotary Club Trust Fund: “Grants are not automatically repeated; an application needs to be submitted within each fiscal year for which a grant is needed.” Recipients are expected to issue follow-up reports regarding the effect of Rotary's grant, including receipts and photographs.

Application Success Factors

Based on Winchester Rotary's documented practices and priorities:

  • Local Impact: Winchester Rotary concentrates resources locally in Winchester and Hampshire to maximize benefits to area residents. Projects with clear local community impact are prioritized.
  • Alignment with Rotary Values: Projects addressing health, hunger, poverty, elderly care, children's welfare, domestic abuse, education and literacy, disabilities, and environmental issues align with stated interests.
  • Specific, Targeted Projects: The club explicitly seeks “targeted projects” rather than general operating support. Applications should focus on specific outcomes and deliverables.
  • Relationship and Trust: With no formal public application process, relationships matter significantly. Organizations that have engaged with club members, volunteered at events, or have established credibility in the Winchester community are better positioned.
  • Presidential Priorities: Each president selects their focus areas. Ian Valentine's selection of Friends of the Family (supporting vulnerable children) and previous presidential support for domestic abuse services show the range of causes that resonate with leadership.
  • Event Participation: Organizations that provide volunteer support (e.g., marshaling at the Clarendon Marathon) demonstrate community commitment and establish working relationships that often lead to funding.
  • Clear Reporting: Recipients are expected to provide follow-up reports with receipts and photographs showing the impact of grants. Organizations that can demonstrate accountability and impact are more likely to receive repeat support.
  • Non-sectarian Approach: Recipients should be non-sectarian, focusing on charitable purposes that serve the broader community.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Winchester Rotary distributes approximately £100,000-£160,000 annually but does not operate a formal public application process - success depends on relationships and introductions
  • Volunteer at their events (particularly the Clarendon Marathon in October) to build relationships and demonstrate commitment to shared community values
  • Presidential charities receive significant focused support - understanding the incoming president's priorities each Rotary year presents strategic opportunities
  • Local Winchester/Hampshire impact is paramount - even though international work is supported, local projects receive primary focus
  • Approach with specific, targeted project proposals rather than general operating support requests - show clear outcomes and deliverables
  • Organizations should contact Ian Valentine (Treasurer/President) directly at ian@cival.uk or 07771716778 to explore potential support
  • Follow-up reporting with receipts and photos is expected - demonstrate your ability to show impact and accountability from the first conversation

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