The Rhododendron Trust awards small grants, normally for up to £1,000, to small UK registered charities working in the UK and/or overseas, as follows:
1. UK charities - the Trust aims to support those challenged and disadvantaged by disability or mental illness (for example, people who live with autism or epilepsy). The Trust also supports charities that are working with prisoners and ex-offenders, or those addicted to drugs, and the homeless. It also funds UK charities that are supporting carers, disadvantaged children and the elderly.
2. Arts and Nature - the Trust tends to work through large organisations such as the National Churches Trust and Fauna and Flora International. However, it states on its website that it is open to proposals for small theatre and music projects, and to proposals for the protection of cultural and natural heritage. It is interested in projects which help sustain the environment.
3. Developing world charities - the Trust prefers to support charities which benefit people affected by more than just poverty, for example people disadvantaged by disability, age, gender or ethnic status, or by the poor medical, welfare or educational infrastructure in their country. For example, the Trust will support charities that (please note that this is not an exclusive list):
o Provide medical aid in countries with very few doctors.
o Prevent child labour.
o Prevent child soldiers.
o Provide educational opportunities.
o Provide medical aid in countries with very few doctors.
o Support street children, and
o Welfare projects which also help sustain the environment.
The Trust’s grants for overseas projects tend to be concentrated in the following countries:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Nepal, Niger, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somali, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.
Funding is not available for:
o Cancer charities or hospices.
o Individuals.
o Local branches of national societies.
o Medical or academic research.
o Missionary charities, or
o Restoration work on individual churches and other buildings.
To apply, charities should send a ‘Request Letter’, in writing to the Trust. The Request Letter should not go into much detail about the need which is being met, but give details about how it will be met by a donation from the Trust. Details of current projects, management of projects, and accounts should accompany the proposal, and magazines and other material will be looked at. The Trust asks that the letter should no be in tiny print, as these may not be read.
Applications can be made at any time and will be considered once annually.
Further information and guidance is available on the Trust’s website.
Request letters should be sent to:
The Grants Officer
The Rhododendron Trust
6 Bridge Street
Richmond
N. Yorkshire
DL10 4RW
