Fowler Smith And Jones Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £400,000 - £500,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Applications decided at quarterly meetings (February, May, September)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £25,000
• Typical Grant: £2,000 - £3,000
• Geographic Focus: Essex only

Contact Details

Website: www.fsjtrust.org.uk

Email: plangran@fsjtrust.org.uk (also enquiries@fsjtrust.co.uk)

Phone: 01245 809899 (alternatively listed as 1245809899)

Address: 3rd Floor, Marlborough House, Victoria Rd. South, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1LN

Pre-Application Support: Applicants are encouraged to contact Penny Langran (Grant Administrator) to discuss applications before submission.

Overview

The Fowler Smith and Jones Trust was formally established as a unified charity in October 2009, incorporating three separate trusts established at different times by the Fowler Family, Albert & Florence Smith, and Edward Cecil Jones—all 'Essex people' who lived in the South-East of the county. The Trust distributes £400,000-£500,000 annually to 120-150 organizations throughout Essex. The Trust supports over 180 local charities and not-for-profit groups each year, with particular focus on helping develop young people into better members of society through preventative intervention, alongside strong emphasis on other marginalized or disadvantaged members of the community including the elderly, isolated, and disabled. The Trust takes a flexible, accessible approach with no formal application form, recognizing that each request is unique.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a flexible grant-making approach with quarterly decision meetings:

• Standard Grants: £1,000 - £5,000 (majority of grants awarded) - For project-based work, core funding, equipment costs, or premise refurbishments
• Capital Grants: Up to £25,000 - Occasionally awarded for larger infrastructure projects
• Application Schedule: Fixed deadlines for three annual trustee meetings (February, May, September)

Priority Areas

The Trust funds projects across six main categories:

• Youth Development: The largest category of funding; projects that help develop young people into better members of society through preventative intervention
• Community Schemes: Community-based initiatives throughout Essex
• Support for Elderly: Projects supporting isolated or elderly community members
• Support for Disabled: Services for people with disabilities
• Medical Causes: Health-related projects
• Arts: Arts and cultural initiatives
• Churches: Church-based community projects

Applications may be for core funding, project-based initiatives, refurbishment of premises, or equipment costs.

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Political activities
• Festivals
• Animal charities
• Commercial ventures
• Parish councils
• Replacements for statutory funding

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Philip Tolhurst (Chair) - Appointed as trustee in 1980, initially managing assets and investment strategy. Took on management of grant applications in 1985 and later merged the three separate trusts into one unified entity.
• Nicholas Charrington
• Richard Furlonger
• Lucy Bettley

Grant Administrator:

• Penny Langran (plangran@fsjtrust.org.uk)

The Trust maintains a deeply rooted connection to Essex, with all original founders being “Essex people” from the South-East of the county.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust operates without a formal application form, recognizing that each request is unique. Applicants should submit:

1. Description of your organization (maximum 2 pages)
2. Project outline including what you want to achieve
3. Total project costs and amount requested
4. Latest accounts
5. Details of community impact

Important: Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Grant Administrator (Penny Langran) by phone or email to discuss the application before submission.

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: Three times per year (February, May, September)
• Application Deadlines: Typically 3-4 weeks before each meeting (specific dates published on website)
• Decision Process: Each application is considered by the Trustees collectively; if approved, an appropriate donation amount is determined
• Notification: Specific notification timeline not publicly stated

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the Trust reports:

• Over 70 grants awarded at February 2025 meeting alone
• Over 180 grants awarded to local charities annually
• 120-150 organizations receive funding each year
• Annual giving of £400,000-£500,000

Reapplication Policy

At least 12 months must pass between applications from the same organization. Grants are not awarded annually to the same recipients.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Indicators:

1. Essex Connection is Essential: All founders were Essex people, and the Trust exclusively funds Essex-based projects. Your application must demonstrate clear Essex location and benefit.

1. Community Impact: Clearly articulate how your project benefits the local Essex community. The Trust values practical, tangible outcomes.

1. Priority Populations: Applications focused on youth development (preventative intervention), elderly care, or support for marginalized/disadvantaged groups align strongly with Trust priorities.

1. Pre-Application Contact: The Trust actively encourages applicants to discuss their application with Penny Langran before submitting. This is a strong indicator they value dialogue and want to help applicants submit strong proposals.

1. Flexibility in Format: The absence of a formal application form reflects the Trust's understanding that “each request is unique.” Tailor your submission to your specific project rather than trying to fit a template.

1. Core and Capital Funding: Unlike some trusts, FSJ will consider core funding, not just project costs. They also occasionally fund larger capital projects up to £25,000.

Recent Grant Examples:

• Wivenhoe Tempest FC: £1,000 for new goalposts
• BASICS Essex: Funding for medical emergency services
• Platform Theatre Arts: Arts programming support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Essex-only focus: Your organization must be based in Essex and your project must benefit Essex residents. This is non-negotiable.
• Pre-application contact is encouraged: Call or email Penny Langran to discuss your application. This signals the Trust values relationship-building and wants to help you succeed.
• No formal form means flexibility: Tailor your 2-page organizational description and project outline to your specific circumstances rather than fitting a template.
• Youth and marginalized communities: Projects with preventative intervention for young people or support for elderly/isolated/disabled populations are prioritized.
• Core funding available: Unlike many trusts, FSJ will consider core funding applications, not just restricted project funds.
• Patience between applications: Wait at least 12 months between applications; grants are not awarded annually to repeat recipients.
• Realistic grant expectations: Most grants fall in the £1,000-£5,000 range, with £2,000-£3,000 being typical. Capital grants up to £25,000 are rare but possible for significant projects.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Garfield Weston Foundation
• AKO Foundation
• The Education Endowment Foundation
• The Tudor Trust
• The Edward Gostling Foundation
• Charity of Sir Richard Whittington
• Cambridgeshire Community Foundation
• THE ZOCHONIS CHARITABLE TRUST
• P F Charitable Trust
• The Shanly Foundation
• Baron Davenport's Charity
• The Hiscox Foundation
• THE THOMAS J HORNE MEMORIAL TRUST
• The Marsh Charitable Trust
• SIR JOHN PRIESTMAN CHARITY TRUST
• The Green Hall Foundation
• THE CHARIS TRUST
• INSPIRATIONS
• LONDON CATALYST
• THE LEIGH TRUST

References

• Fowler Smith and Jones Trust official website: https://fsjtrust.org.uk/
• UK Charity Commission Register, Charity Number 1132249: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1132249
• The Essex Alliance - FSJ Trust information: https://www.essexalliance.co.uk/fowler-smith-jones-trust/
• Uttlesford Community Action Network - FSJ funding information: https://www.ucan.org.uk/funding/fowler-smith-and-jones-accepting-grant-applications-for-consideration/
• AWN (Action With Communities) - FSJ Trust profile: https://www.awn.org.uk/post/fowler-smith-and-jones-trust-supporting-charities-in-essex