At their AGM on 12 November, Richmond Parish Lands Charity, a longstanding independent charitable foundation, announced its new name – Richmond Foundation – alongside the unveiling of a refreshed website and logo.

Founded in 1786, Richmond Foundation has a strong legacy supporting individuals and local initiatives across the borough. As the charity continues to evolve, the new name better reflects its dynamic and inclusive vision for the future.

“The transition to Richmond Foundation reaffirms our commitment to fostering a fairer and more supportive community for all” says Phil Barron, CEO of Richmond Foundation. “We want to build a foundation for a thriving community where everyone in Richmond has opportunities to build healthy and fulfilling lives. Our new strategy has a greater focus on being an outward looking collaborative organisation, embracing partnership working and making a collective impact with our partners.”

What remains unchanged is Richmond Foundation’s dedication to providing funding and support that empowers individuals with opportunities, responds to needs, and provides resources to unlock their full potential. The Foundation’s grant priorities include strengthening the local voluntary and community sector, accessing support and advice services, improving health outcomes, reducing inequalities in education and enhancing community cohesion.

In 2024, Richmond Foundation:

• achieved a combined direct and indirect impact investment of £3.7 million
• provided £2.5 million in grants, supporting individuals and 72 funded partners
• awarded over half of its funding to core three-year grants for local organisations, enabling long-term sustainability
• provided £1.1 million in rent subsidies on residential charitable properties
• provided £105k in rent subsidies on commercial charitable properties.

The Foundation’s funded partners tackle social issues and needs and include organisations such as the Vineyard Community Project, who are a local Charity helping those battling homelessness, food poverty, recovery from substance misuse and mental health challenges.

Richmond Foundation is also committed to supporting local talent and this year launched their Future Leaders initiative. This innovative career development programme is designed for senior charity managers, helping to strengthen local peer networks and invest in the future of voluntary sector leadership. It is a partnership project developed with Richmond CVS, the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO), and Clear Thinking Consultancy.

“Richmond Foundation are a thoughtful and collaborative funder, and it is great working with them to support a strong voluntary sector in Richmond upon Thames” (Richmond CVS)

“Our Core grant has enabled us to have more strategic oversight as it provides stability for us, which creates space for us to look at gaps in provision” (Citizens Advice Richmond)

Visit the new Richmond Foundation website here.

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