John Roan Foundation

The John Roan Foundation is a historic educational charity established through the 1644 bequest of John Roan, Yeoman of Harriers to King Charles I, with an unwavering mission to educate town-born children of Greenwich—now focused on advancing education at The John Roan School and for eligible young people in the London Borough of Greenwich. Governed by John Roan Foundation Trustee Limited, its board includes representatives from the school, Royal Borough of Greenwich, University of Greenwich, staff, parents, and the Old Roan Association, ensuring stakeholder alignment. Sustained by income from a managed Greenwich property portfolio, the Foundation embodies a distinctive, founder-faithful approach as a supplementary funder, filling gaps beyond state provision through responsive, school-led initiatives.

It prioritizes educational enrichment, funding learning resources, extracurricular activities, specialist equipment, academic projects, creative teaching, cultural trips, sports, special events, and hardship support like uniforms—all tightly linked to The John Roan School's students and staff-led efforts to broaden horizons and foster inclusive experiences.

Unsolicited applications from external entities are not accepted; funding is exclusively for The John Roan School and Greenwich-resident pupils, routed through school staff or Principal for trustee review. No income/size rules apply, but geographic restriction is absolute: London Borough of Greenwich only. Typical grants range from £100 for individual hardship to several hundred or thousand pounds for projects, with no public deadlines—internal school cycles govern decisions.

Distinctively, it excludes core funding, external organizations, or state-covered projects, standing out in UK philanthropy for its laser-focused historic remit, seamless school integration, and sustainable property-backed model that catalyses unique student opportunities without open competition.