Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), founded in 1860, is the oldest and largest charity supporting England's and Wales' farming community, with some schemes extending to Northern Ireland. Its mission is to prevent and relieve hardship, distress, or need among those employed in agriculture—or their dependants—ensuring no one faces adversity alone. Core values of compassion, dignity, practical support, diversity, inclusion, and equality drive a holistic, personalised approach, evolving from basic grants to comprehensive financial, emotional, and wellbeing aid, including mental health counselling and preventative services.

RABI funds individuals and families in financial crisis, low income, or illness/disability within farming, prioritising those with 10+ years full-time agricultural work or forced retirement due to health issues, and savings under £10,000. Support covers essential living costs, household items, disability aids, benefits advice, independent living, school expenses (e.g., £200 per child via Return to School grants), winter fuel, and emotional wellbeing, but never organisations, projects, core costs, or unrestricted charity funding.

Unsolicited applications from eligible individuals are welcomed year-round via helpline or writing, starting with a welfare officer's home visit for needs assessment and form completion (requiring income, savings, and benefits evidence). Decisions occur every six weeks at trustee meetings; targeted schemes have fixed online windows (e.g., Return to School 2025 phases in June) closing when quotas fill. Grants vary by need within an annual £3 million total, emphasising confidentiality, flexibility, and farming-specific expertise that sets RABI apart as a cornerstone of agricultural welfare.