R & A Foundation

Could R & A Foundation be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Typical grants: From £10,000
Applications: Not accepted

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

Check fit free · no card

About R & A Foundation

The R&A Foundation is the charitable arm of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, established over two decades ago in St Andrews. Its mission is to create 'good through golf', blending sport governance, heritage preservation, and philanthropy to drive positive social and environmental change. The Foundation favours partnerships with charities, industry affiliates, and universities. It funds across themes of accessibility, sustainability, health, heritage, and talent. The Foundation's funding is flexible and theme-aligned, prioritising innovation, inclusion, and environmental responsibility.

What R & A Foundation funds

The Foundation supports projects, capacity building, unrestricted support, and bursaries that enhance golf's impact. This includes facilities development, innovation research, community programmes, women's academies, player support, historical preservation, and international greenkeeping exchanges. The Foundation funds across themes: accessibility for diverse groups including youth, women, disabled people, and underrepresented communities; sustainability through environmental research and STEM programmes; health via wellbeing through golf; heritage preservation and museums; and talent development for elite amateurs. Geographically, grants are awarded in the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia, and beyond.

Who can apply

The Foundation primarily partners with UK-registered charities and academic institutions for organisational grants. It also offers a scholarship programme for promising young players. The Foundation prioritises organisations and individuals working with underrepresented groups such as youth, women, disabled people, and diverse communities. There are no stated income or size thresholds, geographic restrictions, or religious limits. Organisational grants are invitation-only, while the scholarship programme accepts applications directly.

How they like to fund

The Foundation offers a mix of project grants, capacity building, unrestricted support, and bursaries. Organisational grants are invitation-only, awarded to pre-selected strategic partners. Funding is flexible and theme-aligned, drawn from event revenues and donors. The Foundation prioritises innovation, inclusion, and environmental responsibility.

How much does R & A Foundation give?

From £10,000

Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Sport & recreationChildren & youthWomen & girlsDisabilityEnvironment

How to apply to R & A Foundation

R & A Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.

A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.

What you can do here

1
Check fit. See if your project aligns with R & A Foundation.
2
Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
3
Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.

See if R & A Foundation could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does R & A Foundation provide?

R & A Foundation typically provides grants from £10,000.

Where does R & A Foundation fund charities?

R & A Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.

Does R & A Foundation accept unsolicited applications?

R & A Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from R & A Foundation?

R & A Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.