The Royal Oak Foundation's Role in the City of Its Name

The Royal Oak Foundation is the link that connects the U.S. with the National Trust of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which is a globally large and progressively conservative organization.

It is an independent, not-for-profit organization that is tax-deductible for contributions and membership dues.

But, it is due to the British connection that the members of the American group are able to gain free entry to more than 300 historic homes and gardens in the British Isles. They also have access to more than 700 miles of The National Trust's British coastline and picturesque natural regions.

Some of those historic locales are Winston Churchill's Chartwell, the childhood homes of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, and the countrysides of Lake and Peak Districts, as well as the coastal spots of the White Cliffs of Dover and St. Michael's Mount - among others.

Fundraising efforts of the organization equal more than $7 million to aid the National Trust, with projects that restore historic homes, acquire works of art taken from their original properties, improve coastline and other projects. There are scholarships, grants and fellowships sponsored for Americans who want to learn more about the National Trust and Britain's heritage.

Individual memberships start as low as $55. Dual and family rates are available, and a lifetime/patron one is as high as $10,000.

http://www.royal-oak.org/about.html