Our history
Lord Max Rayne (1918-2003) was one of the few post-war property developers who helped to rebuild central London after the Blitz. He established the Rayne Foundation in 1962, with a focus on engaging with society’s most pressing needs. Over the past 60+ years, the Foundation has given to a range of causes and organisations across the UK and strengthened the connections between them. Our work continuously evolves to meet new needs.
Grants during the 1960s and 1970s included help towards creating the Rayne Institutes in London, Paris, and Edinburgh, connecting medical research and hospitals and enabling researchers and medics to work collaboratively.
Significant grants were also made to the Theatre Museum, University College London, the London Library and Darwin College, Cambridge, which Lord Rayne helped to found.
Lord Rayne gave his time to many creative organisations, serving as Chairman at the National Theatre for 18 years, as well as RADA, and the London Festival Ballet. This reflects the Foundation’s continuous support of the arts.
“Rayne punches above its weight. There are so few trusts working in this field, it feels like they’re being really thoughtful. I like the approach they take to being in early to test the case.”