Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund
Could Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.
- Typical grants
- £5,000 – £15,000
- Applications
- Not accepted
- Decisions
- Once per year
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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richmond.gov.ukAbout Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund
The Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund is an independent charitable trust established by Richmond Council in 2019. Its mission is to fill gaps left by reduced statutory funding by delivering targeted financial support to voluntary organisations working with vulnerable people in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Managed by independent trustees, with council facilitation but no control over grants, the fund operates a resident-funded model. It selects a specific vulnerable cohort annually based on local consultations, allowing its thematic focus to adapt to the community's evolving needs. This approach ensures responsive, place-based philanthropy rooted in transparency and local accountability.
What Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund funds
The fund supports projects addressing mental health, wellbeing, young carers, bereavement, family illness, food insecurity, substance abuse, and poor body image. It funds services such as advocacy, resilience-building activities, and opportunities for healthy development. All funded work must benefit residents of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames exclusively. The fund prioritises project delivery costs; core costs and capital projects are only considered if they align with the selected theme for that year. Its adaptive thematic focus means the specific causes change annually, always responding to local need.
Who can apply
Eligible organisations include UK-registered charities and community groups with an established local presence in the borough. The fund favours small to medium-sized organisations and requires clear evidence of community benefit. Applicants must demonstrate financial accountability and delivery capacity. The fund's support is directed at vulnerable people, with a particular focus on young people and children. All beneficiaries must be borough residents.
What Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund doesn't fund
The fund does not support core costs or capital projects unless they are directly aligned with the selected annual theme. It will not fund activities that duplicate statutory provision or take place outside the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
How they like to fund
The fund does not accept unsolicited applications. Instead, it uses an annual trustee-led process: a specific vulnerable cohort is selected based on local consultations, followed by invitations for expressions of interest. Grants are awarded for project delivery, and the fund's resident-funded model ensures local philanthropy drives its decisions.
How much does Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund give?
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.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund
Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund 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.
- Decisions are typically once per year.
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund.
- 2Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
- 3Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.
See if Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund provide?
Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund typically provides grants of £5,000 - £15,000.
Where does Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund fund charities?
Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund accept unsolicited applications?
Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund?
Richmond Upon Thames Voluntary Fund does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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