Rangers Foundation

Rangers Foundation
Name	Rangers Foundation
Founded	2006
Type	Charity
Headquarters	Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow
Region served	Scotland
Key people	John Brown (chair), Susan Murray (CEO)
Focus	Youth development, community outreach, health, education
Parent organisation	Rangers Football Club

Rangers Foundation Rangers Foundation is the official charity associated with Rangers F.C., established to deliver community, youth and charitable programmes across Glasgow, Scotland and beyond. The organisation works with stakeholders in sport, health and social inclusion to leverage the profile of Ibrox Stadium and the club’s heritage in support of targeted interventions for young people and vulnerable groups. Operating alongside professional partners and funders, the foundation develops programmes that intersect with public services and voluntary sector delivery.

History

The foundation was launched following a period of increased emphasis on corporate social responsibility within professional football, when clubs such as Manchester United F.C. and Celtic F.C. had already formalised charitable arms. Early years saw collaborations with local authorities including Glasgow City Council and national bodies such as Sportscotland to create community coaching and inclusion projects. During the 2010s the foundation expanded its remit, aligning with initiatives led by Scottish FA and engaging in legacy work related to large events like the Celtic Connections festival and humanitarian responses coordinated with organisations such as Red Cross (UK). High-profile fundraisers attracted patrons from across British sport, mirroring models used by charities tied to Chelsea F.C. and Arsenal F.C..

Mission and Activities

The foundation’s stated mission centers on using the cultural capital of Rangers F.C. to improve life outcomes for children and families through sport, education and health programmes. Core activities include school-based coaching linked to curricula in collaboration with the Scottish Qualifications Authority, mentoring schemes that draw on players and staff from squads associated with Rangers Academy, and holiday hunger initiatives co-delivered with organisations like Food Train and FareShare. The charity also operates outreach for prisoners and ex-offenders, working with agencies including Scottish Prison Service and advocacy groups such as Samaritans (charity). Health-focused projects have partnered with NHS bodies, including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, to address physical activity, mental health and long-term conditions through community clinics and supported exercise programmes.

Governance and Funding

The foundation is governed by a board of trustees drawn from business, sport and civil society, with oversight mechanisms consistent with regulators such as the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. Corporate governance incorporates policies influenced by governance codes referenced by organisations like Big Lottery Fund and financial reporting aligned with requirements from Companies House. Funding streams include grant awards from public bodies, corporate partnerships with companies in the finance and retail sectors, and match-funding from philanthropic trusts such as National Lottery Community Fund. Income is supplemented by fundraising events, ticketing initiatives coordinated with Rangers F.C. matchdays and donations from supporters’ groups, including collaborations with international fan organisations in North America and Asia.

Partnership and Community Programs

Partnerships are central: the foundation works with grassroots clubs including Glasgow City F.C. and community associations, education partners like University of Glasgow and University of Strathclyde, and health agencies such as NHS Scotland. Community programmes range from coach education accredited by the UEFA licence framework to employability projects run with jobcentres and charities such as Prince’s Trust. Inclusion work targets minority ethnic communities and refugees, in cooperation with organisations like Refugee Council and local refugee resettlement schemes. Outreach to women and girls has involved joint ventures with charities such as Women’s Aid and initiatives observed in women’s football development at clubs like Rangers W.F.C..

Impact and Evaluation

The foundation undertakes monitoring and evaluation using indicators endorsed by funders including attendance, attainment and wellbeing metrics aligned with standards from Scottish Government policy on child poverty and health improvement. Independent evaluations have been commissioned from academic partners in the Glasgow Caledonian University and impact reports have been shared with stakeholders including the Scottish Parliament committees focused on sport and communities. Outcomes reported include increased school engagement, measurable improvements in participants’ mental health scores using validated instruments, and pathways into employment or further education modelled after employability frameworks advocated by Skills Development Scotland.

Awards and Recognition

Rangers Foundation has received awards and commendations within the sport-for-good sector, with nominations in national schemes organised by UK Sport and recognition from community sport award programmes run by Scottish FA. Individual staff and trustees have been honoured in listings by organisations such as The Herald and civic awards presented by Glasgow City Council. The charity’s projects have been cited in case studies by leading sport development bodies and featured in reports by public institutions including Sportscotland and the National Lottery Community Fund.

Category:Sports charities in Scotland Category:Rangers F.C.