FAQs

These are questions that we are often asked. If you don’t find the answer to your question here or on the rest of our website, please telephone our office 01904 627810
or email info(at)jrct.org.uk

General questions

Who was Joseph Rowntree?
Joseph Rowntree was a Quaker businessman who lived from 1839 to 1925. More details about Joseph Rowntree.

What is the difference between the Rowntree Trusts?
There are three Joseph Rowntree Trusts. They were all set up at the same time, but have different purposes. They are all independent of each other. This is the website for The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. The other two trusts are The Joseph Rowntree Foundation and The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust. The Family Fund also has no connection with the JRCT.

Is there any link between Rowntree chocolate and the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust?
The original endowment that Joseph Rowntree gave to the three Rowntree Trusts was in the form of shares in the Rowntree chocolate company. JRCT no longer holds any shares in the company.

Where does JRCT get its money from?
JRCT holds a portfolio of investments that are governed by an ethical investment policy.

Grant application questions

Please can you send an application form?
We don’t use an application form. Please see Grant Applications for full details on how to apply.

Can you only fund registered charities?
We can only fund work that is legally charitable, but as long as this is the case grants can be made to individuals or to other organisations.

How quickly can I get a grant?
Once an application is received by the Trust, it can take up to seven months before a final decision is reached. Please see Grant Applications for information about what happens once we have received your application.

Does the JRCT fund core costs?
JRCT often makes unrestricted or core costs grants, as we believe that is often the most effective way to support an organisation. However, JRCT only makes grants for work that falls into one of our programme areas. We do not make make general charitable contributions to other organisations.

Does the JRCT fund local work?
The Trust mainly funds national level work. However, JRCT does fund some local work in South Africa (KwaZulu Natal only), West Yorkshire (Racial Justice programme only) and Ireland (North and South). Occasionally, Trustees offer grants for local work in York, but only when that work falls within one of our programme areas.

Does the Trust fund arts work?
The JRCT does not fund arts work in particular. Within each programme area, Trustees fund a variety of types of work. Occasionally Trustees fund projects that use the arts as a method of raising awareness or disseminating ideas in connection with our general programme areas.

Does the JRCT fund individuals?
We can offer grants to individuals who are working on projects within our general programme areas. We do not offer grants for any form of study or training, or to help individuals in need.

What size of grant can I apply for?
There are no fixed limits. We encourage you to ask for what you need, but also to be realistic. We receive many applications for amounts we cannot possibly fund. See our application guidelines for further details or look at our grant database to see previous grants that we have made.

Can JRCT staff consider a draft application?
Our application process is short and simple. You should find all the information you need in order to make a complete application on this website. If having read the guidelines and the relevant grants policy carefully you have specific questions, then please contact the relevant member of Trust staff well before the application deadline.