Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £318,310 (expenditure 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 3-6 months (decisions made in May and November)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000 (most grants £1,000-£6,000)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom only

Contact Details

Website: https://ajct.org.uk/en

Email: grants@ajct.org.uk

Address: Saffery Champness, 71 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4BE

Charity Number: 259885

Application Method: Online portal only (applications accepted year-round)

Overview

Established in 1969 and named after Anton Jurgens, one of the founders of Unilever, the Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust supports socially disadvantaged groups and individuals in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. With total expenditure of £318,310 in the year ending April 2024, the Trust provides grants to UK-registered charities supporting people of all ages who are socially disadvantaged and/or have disabilities. The Trust operates with four trustees and five volunteers, with no trustees receiving remuneration. Applications are considered twice yearly by the trustees at spring (May) and autumn (November) meetings. The Trust emphasizes four key principles: personal initiative and commitment to engender self-sufficiency, prevention through early intervention, social involvement through inspiring examples, and searching for meaning in human actions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

UK Small Grants Programme: £1,000 - £10,000 (most grants £1,000-£6,000)

• Rolling applications accepted year-round via online portal
• Decisions made twice yearly (May and November)
• Can fund running costs or specific projects
• Applications must include clear costings and fundraising progress

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses on supporting charities working with:

• Socially disadvantaged individuals of all ages
• People with disabilities of all ages
• Education and training initiatives
• Advancement of health or saving of lives
• Prevention or relief of poverty
• Therapy development (within religious, arts, or cultural contexts)

Key Funding Principles:

1. Personal initiative and commitment - Projects that engender self-sufficiency and autonomy
2. Prevention - Structured approaches to tackling social problems at an early stage
3. Social involvement - Creating inspiring examples for others
4. Searching for meaning - Creating awareness of the purpose behind human actions

What They Don't Fund

• Research (unless related to therapy development)
• Arts and cultural activities (unless engaged in therapy development)
• Religious-based activities (unless engaged in therapy development)
• Community Interest Companies (CICs)
• Charities operating outside the UK
• Charities with annual income exceeding £500,000
• Charities that have received AJCT funding within the past 3 years
• Charities registered for less than 3 years

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Governance and Leadership

The Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust is governed by four trustees who meet twice annually to make funding decisions. The Trust operates with five volunteers and maintains a clear policy that no trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Trust is administered by Saffery Champness, a professional services firm based in London. Specific trustee names are not publicly disclosed on readily available sources, though full details can be found in the annual accounts filed with the Charity Commission.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online Portal Only: All UK applications must be submitted through the Trust's online database at https://ajct.org.uk/en

Application Requirements:

• Applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
• Must clearly state whether funding is for running costs or a specific project
• Must include detailed costings showing:
• Target amount for the appeal
• Amount raised and pledged to date
• Specific breakdown of how funds will be used
• Charity Commission accounts must be submitted on time (no more than 28 days overdue)

Decision Timeline

Committee Meetings: Twice yearly

• Spring meeting: May
• Autumn meeting: November

Decision Process:

• Advisory committee reviews applications
• Only shortlisted applicants are contacted for further consideration
• Final decisions made by trustees at biannual meetings
• Successful applicants notified by email following the relevant meeting
• Unsuccessful applicants do not receive notification

Typical Timeline: 3-6 months from submission to decision, depending on when application is submitted relative to committee meeting dates

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Trust does not publish the number of applications received versus grants awarded.

Reapplication Policy

Yes, reapplication is permitted with the following conditions:

• Unsuccessful applicants can reapply for consideration at the next committee meeting
• No waiting period between unsuccessful applications
• However: Charities that have received a grant from AJCT cannot apply again for 3 years from the date of the award
• This 3-year restriction applies regardless of whether a subsequent application is for a different project

Application Success Factors

Specific Guidance from the Trust

Clear Financial Information: “The application should state clearly whether the grant would be used for the running costs of the charity, or for a particular project and it should include the costings involved: target for the appeal and the amount raised and pledged towards it at the time of writing the appeal letter.”

Compliance is Essential: The Trust only considers applications where financial accounts have been submitted to the UK Charity Commission on time (no more than 28 days overdue). This demonstrates good governance and financial management.

Alignment with Trust Principles

Applications that demonstrate the following are more likely to succeed:

1. Self-sufficiency focus: Projects that help beneficiaries develop autonomy and independence rather than creating dependency
2. Early intervention: Preventative approaches that address problems before they escalate
3. Inspiring examples: Work that can serve as a model for others or create social ripple effects
4. Purposeful action: Clear articulation of why the work matters and its deeper meaning

Project vs. Running Costs

The Trust accepts applications for both specific projects and general running costs. Be explicit about which you are requesting and provide appropriate justification and costings for either approach.

Size and Maturity Requirements

• Your charity must have been registered for at least 3 years (demonstrates stability)
• Annual income must not exceed £500,000 (Trust targets smaller organizations)
• Applications from charities at the lower end of this income range may be particularly competitive

Language and Terminology

Use language that emphasizes:

• Social disadvantage or disability
• Empowerment and self-sufficiency
• Prevention and early intervention
• Specific, measurable outcomes for beneficiaries
• Clear demonstration of need

Common Success Factors

• Detailed, realistic budgets with clear breakdown of costs
• Evidence of need in the community
• Demonstrated track record (important for 3+ year requirement)
• Strong alignment with disability or social disadvantage focus
• Clear explanation of how the grant will make a difference
• Evidence of fundraising effort for project applications

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small charity focus: With a £500,000 income ceiling and most grants between £1,000-£6,000, this Trust specifically targets smaller charities that may struggle to access larger funders
• Be patient and strategic: With only two decision points per year (May and November), plan your application timing carefully and don't expect quick responses
• No news is bad news: The Trust only contacts shortlisted applicants; if you don't hear anything within a reasonable time after the relevant meeting, assume your application was unsuccessful
• Three-year cycle: If successful, factor in that you cannot reapply for 3 years; if unsuccessful, you can try again immediately at the next round
• Financial compliance matters: Ensure your Charity Commission accounts are up to date before applying; late accounts will result in automatic rejection
• Demonstrate empowerment: Frame your work in terms of building self-sufficiency and autonomy, not creating dependency - this aligns with the Trust's core principle of personal initiative
• Think prevention: Early intervention projects that prevent problems from developing are particularly valued
• Detailed costings essential: Whether requesting project or running costs, provide comprehensive financial breakdown showing fundraising progress and specific allocation of funds

References

• Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust official website. “Grant Information.” https://ajct.org.uk/en
• UK Charity Commission. “THE ANTON JURGENS CHARITABLE TRUST - Charity 259885.” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=259885&subid=0
• Stichting Anton Jurgens Fonds. “Criteria - Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust (UK).” https://www.antonjurgensfonds.nl/en/applications/ajct/
• Action Together. “Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust.” https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/anton-jurgens-charitable-trust
• Funding for All. “Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust.” https://fundingforall.org.uk/funds/anton-jurgens-charitable-trust/