Winchester Rotary Charitable Incorporated Organisation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £159,330 (2023-24)
• 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 Programmes

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
• Event-Based Distributions: Grants funded through major fundraising events including the Clarendon Marathon
• International Projects: Smaller grants for international humanitarian projects

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

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, Hope Street (run by the charity One Small Thing, a 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

The charity has 4 trustees including:

1. Ian Richard Valentine - Treasurer and Club President (Contact: 49 Peninsula Square, Winchester)

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.

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.

How to Apply to Winchester Rotary Charitable Incorporated Organisation

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

Getting on Their Radar

Winchester Rotary has specific ways organisations can connect with them:

• Volunteer at Fundraising Events: Organisations 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. Organisations working in Rotary's priority areas should be aware of this annual opportunity.

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)
• General grant decisions appear to be made on a rolling basis throughout the year

Success Rates

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

Application Success Factors

Based on Winchester Rotary's documented practices and priorities:

• Local Impact: Winchester Rotary concentrates resources locally in Winchester and Hampshire to maximise benefits to area residents. Projects with clear local community impact are prioritised.

• 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. Organisations 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) shows the range of causes that resonate with leadership.

• Event Participation: Organisations that provide volunteer support (e.g., marshalling at the Clarendon Marathon) demonstrate community commitment and establish working relationships that often lead to funding.

• 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 £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
• Organisations should contact Ian Valentine (Treasurer/President) directly at ian@cival.uk or 07771716778 to explore potential support

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Eight Foundation
• Waterside Community Fund
• The Rotary Club Of Whitstable
• Greenham Trust Ltd
• The William Price Charitable Trust
• The Beaulieu Beaufort Foundation
• Farnham Lions Club (cio)
• The Syder Foundation
• Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight Community Foundation
• Smith Bradbeer Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: Winchester Rotary Charitable Incorporated Organisation (1198772). Accessed 29 December 2024. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5193391/full-print

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: Winchester Rotary Club Trust Fund (283632). Accessed 29 December 2024. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/sector-data/top-10-charities/-/charity-details/283632

• Winchester Rotary Official Website. “What we do.” Accessed 29 December 2024. https://winchester-rotary.org/what-we-do/

• Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland. “Winchester Rotary reaches to the heart of the community during COVID-19.” Accessed 29 December 2024. https://www.rotarygbi.org/winchester-rotary-reaches-to-the-heart-of-the-community-during-covid-19/

• Winchester Rotary. “Storms and Sunshine – The Clarendon Marathon.” Accessed 29 December 2024. https://winchester-rotary.org/blog/storms-and-sunshine-the-clarendon-marathon/

• Clarendon Marathon Official Website. Accessed 29 December 2024. https://www.clarendon-marathon.co.uk/

• Winchester Hospice Community Events. Accessed 29 December 2024. https://winchesterhospice.com/community-events

• LinkedIn Profile: Ian Valentine - Club President - Winchester Rotary. Accessed 29 December 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-valentine-b629b817/

• One Small Thing. “Hope Street.” Accessed 11 April 2026. https://onesmallthing.org.uk/hopestreet

• Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland. “Smokey the cat lives to tell another tale.” Accessed 11 April 2026. https://www.rotarygbi.org/smokey-the-cat-lives-to-tell-another-tale/