William Belmer Rush Foundation

The William Belmer Rush Foundation, established on 5 June 1964 by Miss W.V. Rush via a Declaration of Trust, is an endowed UK charity dedicated to advancing education—primarily supporting past and present pupils of Muntham House School in Horsham, West Sussex—and aiding child welfare through Barnardo’s and Save the Children. Its mission reflects the founder's enduring vision of direct, sustained aid for children with special educational needs and vulnerable youth, distributing investment income annually while preserving capital. Governance includes nominees from the beneficiaries and a founder's descendant, ensuring fidelity to the trust's strict terms, with any changes requiring Charity Commission approval.

The Foundation exclusively funds three predefined organizations: unrestricted grants to Muntham House School for educational provision, and to Barnardo’s and Save the Children for child protection, advocacy, and welfare programmes. It prioritizes core activities like educational progression for special needs pupils and broad support for at-risk children, delivered nationally via the charities and regionally in Sussex through the school—no other themes, projects, or causes are supported.

Eligibility is rigidly limited to these three established UK entities; no unsolicited applications, competitive bids, or other charities/individuals qualify, regardless of income, size, or location beyond the UK focus. Grants, typically £25,108 each (as in 2023/24), are approved annually by trustees post-financial year-end (31 March), with no public deadlines, online forms, or open rounds.

This closed, stewardship-driven model starkly differentiates it from typical funders: no grassroots, capacity-building, capital, or emergency grants; no thematic expansion or public programmes—purely perpetual support for the named trio, embodying unyielding legacy commitment.