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Philanthropy & Major Gifts

If you are able to donate £10,000 or more, we would be delighted to work with you to ensure that the process of giving is a rewarding and uplifting experience.

Group shot of RNLI lifeboat volunteers stood with their Shannon class lifeboat on the launch vehicle

Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard

Group shot of Skegness lifeboat volunteers with their Shannon class lifeboat, Joel and April Grunhill 13-17

The RNLI offers a tailored service to meet your individual needs as a philanthropy supporter and to thank you for your generosity in the best way possible, for you and your friends and family.

Our services to philanthropy supporters

We work with our supporters to explain our organisational needs and to understand their individual needs as a donor.

Some donors are happy to contribute to running costs, or to make a gift and accept a written acknowledgement. Others prefer to work closely with us in building a personal link with a lifeboat station and meet the volunteers whose lifesaving work is only made possible through their gift.

We offer an individual service to each supporter. If you have chosen to fund a project, we will keep you updated on its progress, and arrange visits to ensure you can see the benefit of your gift in action.

Where possible, your relationship with us will always be through the same person. They will be on hand to answer your queries and ensure that your experience as an RNLI Philanthropy supporter is rewarding and exciting. We would be happy to meet with you at home, at your work, or at a lifeboat station to discuss your needs and to work with you so that we can develop a long term and mutually rewarding relationship.

Fundraising opportunities

Take a look at some of the opportunities your generosity could help fund.

The coast is an exciting place to be, but it’s easier than you think to get into trouble in the water. Working together with partners and communities, we aim to educate, influence, supervise and rescue those at risk from drowning. Your support can help us ensure more people stay safe.
The coast is an exciting place to be – but it’s easier than you think to get into trouble in the water. Stay safe with our essential safety advice.

Photo: Andrew Parish

The coast is an exciting place to be – but it’s easier than you think to get into trouble in the water. Stay safe with our essential safety advice.

Without essential training or kit, our volunteer crews could not save lives at sea. Only 1 in 10 crew members join the RNLI from a professional maritime background – your support will help us train ordinary people to do extraordinary things. 

A lifeboat crew member is helping his crewmate with their kit

Photo: RNLI/Nathan Williams

Every second matters when someone is in trouble close to the shore – having lifeguards on beaches to prevent and respond instantly to incidents, saves lives. Help us train and equip our lifeguards to keep a watchful eye over beaches around our coasts.

RNLI lifeguards during rescue board training exercise on Cromer Beach

Photo: RNLI / Nigel Millard

RNLI lifeguards during rescue board training exercise on Cromer Beach

Shoreworks is the name given to our continuous programme of lifeboat station maintenance, modernisation and new building works. These projects are dedicated to keeping our properties and launching facilities fit-for-purpose, for as long as possible. You can make a lifesaving difference by helping to support these costs. 

The official opening of the new RNLI Portishead Lifeboat Station with the lifeboat crew in their B class Atlantic 85 lifeboat, My Lady Anne B-884

Photo: RNLI / Nicholas Leach

The official opening of the new purpose-built RNLI Portishead Lifeboat Station in June 2015

Thousands of people drown needlessly each year worldwide. We have the expertise to help change that. With your support, we can work harder to better understand the global problem and build the capacity of communities most at risk of drowning.

International lifeguard training in Tanzania, Africa

Photo: RNLI / Mike Lavis

International lifeguard training in Tanzania, Africa

On behalf of our volunteer crews, thank you for your consideration in supporting our lifesaving work.

We can create bespoke funding opportunities to meet your requirements. Our dedicated fundraisers would be more than happy to work with you and find a project to suit your needs.

Grateful lifeboat volunteers hold up cards that spell THANK YOU!

Photo: RNLI/Nathan Williams

Ways to contact us

Our Philanthropy Team is available Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

Telephone:

+44 (0) 1202 137869 (UK)

Email:

[email protected]

Online:

Fill in our short enquiry form.

Write to: 

Philanthropy Team
RNLI
West Quay Road
Poole
Dorset
BH15 1HZ