Where we started
Established in 2017, the Randal Foundation was created out of a belief that too many lives are shaped by circumstances that could be changed and that targeted, well-directed support can make a profound and lasting difference to people’s life chances and aspirations.
From the outset, the Foundation has taken a deliberate approach: focusing on directing funding where the need is greatest, collaborating with organisations that are closest to the communities they serve and supporting work that leads to tangible, real-life outcomes.
Our vision is to save and significantly improve the lives of 1 million people globally
We believe that fewer lives should be defined by crisis, disadvantage or lack of opportunity and that more people should have the chance to live safely, independently and with dignity.
Our role is to fund work that not only responds to immediate need but also helps create the conditions for longer-term sustainable change.
“An individual whose life is directly saved is a life that was at serious and credible risk of loss before the provision of grant funding and, as a result of expenditure of the grant funding directly or indirectly for the benefit of the individual, has significantly lowered the risk of loss of life.”
Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL
Our approach
We provide grant funding to charities, voluntary organisations and NGOs delivering support directly to people and communities, as well as to think tanks whose research, analysis and policy work helps drive evidence-based change in the UK and around the world.
We carefully assess each funding opportunity and work closely with our partners to monitor delivery, measure progress and ensure that grants achieve the outcomes set out in their applications.
We recognise that meaningful change rarely happens through a single intervention. It requires sustained effort, strong partnerships and a clear understanding of what works in the real world.
Our strategy
Our ambitious Foundation Strategy (2024–2027) reflects our unrelenting ambition to build on the impact achieved to date – strengthening partnerships and supporting work that delivers real outcomes, driving meaningful, lasting change.
We translate this into practice through a clear and structured approach to funding and partnership.
That is why we focus on:
• Identifying areas where support can have the greatest effect
• Working with organisations that deliver directly to people and communities
• Supporting approaches that combine immediate support with sustainable longer-term outcomes
Remaining open to new ideas that can improve how impact is delivered
Our approach is:
• Considered – we take time to understand where support can make the most difference
• Focused – we prioritise areas of greatest need
• Collaborative – we work closely with partners to strengthen delivery
• Accountable – we expect funding to translate into clear, measurable outcomes
We are particularly interested in supporting work where funding can unlock potential – helping organisations grow, reach more people or deliver their work more effectively.
Where relevant, our work aligns with broader global efforts, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while remaining grounded in practical, real-world delivery.
Our Values
Integrity
We act with consistency, transparency and great care in how we work.
Passion
We are driven by a belief that action is needed where the challenges are greatest.
Empathy
We remain grounded in the realities faced by the communities we support.
Pioneering spirit
We are open to new approaches and ways of delivering change.
Responsible
We focus on immediate and long-term outcomes leading to sustainable impact.
How we fund: our pillars of giving
Our funding is delivered through five distinct approaches, designed to support a range of organisations and interventions across the UK and globally.
Together, these pillars of giving enable us to fund immediate support, scale impactful programmes and drive long-term systemic change.
Most of our funding is delivered through partnerships identified by our Trustees and executive team. The only route open to application is through our project-based grants, where periodic calls are published on this website.
Pillar 1:
Small grants
We provide small, evidence-led unrestricted funding grants to grassroots organisations delivering direct support in the UK.
-UK only
-Focus on grassroots organisations with income under £100,000*
-Typically delivered through trusted intermediary partners
-Not open to application
This approach enables us to reach smaller, UK community-based organisations working closest to those in greatest need.
Pillar 2: Project-based grants
We fund targeted projects delivering life-saving or life-changing impact in the UK and globally.
-UK and international
-Typically organisations with income under £1,000,000
-Focus on innovative, scalable or high-impact interventions
-The only pillar open to application
Applications are invited through periodic calls for UK and Global funding, as published on this website, setting out priority themes and areas of focus.
Pillar 3:
Impact at scale
We support large-scale programmes delivering measurable impact over multiple years.
-UK and international
-Focus on established organisations with the capacity to deliver at scale
-Multi-year partnerships
-Not open to application
These partnerships are identified and developed by our Trustees and executive team to maximise long-term impact.
Pillar 4: Policy and systems change
We invest in work that drives long-term, systemic change by shaping policy, influencing public debate and strengthening the evidence base for reform.
-UK only
-Focus on Social Justice issues
-Trustee-led partnerships
-Not open to application
This pillar addresses the root causes of social challenges by supporting evidence-based solutions in areas including welfare, employment, mental health, health inequalities and rehabilitation. We fund research and collaboration that helps shape policy and improve outcomes.
Read more on our ‘Thought Leadership and Policy Shaping’ page.
Pillar 5: Trustee-led projects
We provide flexible funding for projects aligned with Trustee priorities or responding to urgent need.
-UK and international
-Responsive, flexible funding
-Not open to application
This includes supporting time-sensitive interventions and projects where immediate action is required to save or significantly improve lives.
Dr Nik Kotecha OBE,
Founder & Chairman of the Randal Charitable Foundation
As a businessman, Nik is the Founder and former Chairman of Morningside Pharmaceuticals, a Midlands-based manufacturer, wholesaler and exporter of branded and generic medicines and healthcare products to the UK and international export markets. He started the business in 1991 from his home garage and grew it into a global business. In 2022 Nik divested of Morningside to concentrate on his philanthropic ambitions.
Since inception, Morningside has exported to over 120 countries and has over 300 Marketing Authorisations in the UK and globally. As well as products delivered twice daily to UK pharmacies and hospitals, Morningside supplies some of the world’s largest aid agencies such as UNICEF, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Red Cross. The Company also continues to grow in new markets, where product registrations in individual countries offer an opportunity to develop in the private sector.
Governance
The Randal Charitable Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees, who ensure that grant funding is appropriately reviewed and approved. Trustees are volunteers with extensive experience in philanthropy, charity, business, finance and law. All grant activities follow a Standard Operating Procedure to ensure fairness and adherence to objectives. The governance structure ensures accountability and transparency in all our operations.