Rsa Trust

RSA Trust is an independent charitable funder established in 2004 to channel profits from commercial lettings at the RSA Island Centre—a redeveloped former Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield, North London—into local community investment. Founded by business and community leaders with a vision for sustainable prosperity through youth, entrepreneurship, and assets, its mission focuses on enabling long-term social change via community self-reliance, opportunity creation, and heritage preservation. Distinctively, it redirects locally generated commercial surplus into flexible, partnership-driven funding, independent of public subsidies, prioritizing deep relationships with Enfield-based organizations over transactional grants.

The Trust funds initiatives for children, young people, and families (36% of grants), business and enterprise development—especially women's self-employment (34%)—regeneration, heritage (19%), care for the vulnerable, and advice services. Supported activities include youth development (e.g., Enact, Edmonton Eagles Boxing Club, Oasis Restore secure school), enterprise schemes via Enterprise Enfield, elderly/sick care, Citizens Advice Enfield, and RSA Island heritage projects. It backs projects combining community engagement, social enterprise, and regeneration, with over £7.7 million distributed since inception.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, community groups, or social enterprises operating exclusively in Enfield and nearby North London, with a preference for small, grassroots organizations demonstrating local impact and accountability—no strict income limits. Grants range from £5,000 to £100,000 (typically £10,000–£50,000), covering projects, core costs, capacity building, and limited capital, often multi-year for strategic partners. Invite-only: start with a phone enquiry to trustees/CEO; suitable fits receive application forms reviewed quarterly (1–3 month turnaround). No unsolicited applications, emergencies, or non-local work; its localist, entrepreneurial ethos sets it apart for Enfield-aligned charities.