J V Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £317,039 (expenditure FY 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Charity Number: 272232

Contact Details

• Address: Shakespeare Martineau, 1 Colmore Square, Birmingham B4 6AA
• Phone: 07495 188 123
• Email: robert.pallett.jvt@outlook.com
• Charity Commission: View on Charity Commission Register

Overview

The J V Trust is a UK registered charity (number 272232) established in 1976, operating as a trust throughout England and Wales. With an annual expenditure of £317,039 (FY ending April 2024), the trust focuses on promoting and advancing Spiritualism as a religion and religious philosophy. The trust's charitable objectives include the promotion, establishment, spread and advancement of the religion and religious philosophy known as Spiritualism, with particular regard for the training of ministers, and the promotion and advancement of spiritual healing. The trust makes grants to both individuals and organisations within the Spiritualist movement. The J V Trust is chaired by Minister Eric Hatton, with fellow trustees Hugh and Margaret Davis, and has played a significant historical role in the Spiritualist movement, including the acquisition and preservation of Psychic News and its archives in 2011.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The J V Trust makes grants to individuals and organisations aligned with its Spiritualist mission. Specific grant amounts and programs are not publicly advertised, as the trust operates primarily through trustee discretion rather than open application processes.

Priority Areas

• Minister Training: Support for the training and development of Spiritualist ministers
• Spiritual Healing: Advancement of spiritual healing practices and education
• Spiritualist Education: Promotion of Spiritualist religious philosophy and practices
• Preservation of Spiritualist Heritage: Supporting the preservation of Spiritualist historical materials and archives
• Relief of Need: Financial assistance to aged and infirm Spiritualists experiencing financial hardship

What They Don't Fund

The trust's charitable objects are specifically focused on Spiritualism. Organisations or individuals outside this religious philosophy would not be eligible for support.

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by 5 trustees who receive payments or benefits for providing services to the charity. Some trustees are also directors of the charity's subsidiaries.

Key Trustees:

• Minister Eric Hatton: Chairman of the J V Trust and former chairman of the Arthur Findlay College. Hatton has been described as a strong supporter of editorial independence and has been instrumental in preserving Spiritualist heritage, including the acquisition of Psychic News.
• Hugh Davis: Fellow trustee, involved in the trust's decision-making alongside Hatton and Margaret Davis.
• Margaret Davis: Fellow trustee, part of the core leadership team that has guided the trust's work in supporting Spiritualism.

Eric Hatton has stated publicly: “There is no greater supporter of editorial independence than Minister Eric Hatton,” demonstrating the trust's approach to supporting organizations while respecting their autonomy.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The J V Trust does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the trustees' discretion. The trust identifies beneficiaries through its connections within the Spiritualist movement and makes grants to individuals and organisations that align with its charitable objectives.

Those wishing to be considered for support should contact the trust directly via:

• Email: robert.pallett.jvt@outlook.com
• Phone: 07495 188 123

Any correspondence should clearly outline how the proposed work advances Spiritualism, supports minister training, promotes spiritual healing, or provides relief to Spiritualists in need.

Getting on Their Radar

The J V Trust has strong connections within the UK Spiritualist community. Specific strategies for building relationships with this funder include:

• Spiritualist National Union (SNU) Affiliation: The trust operates within the broader Spiritualist movement. Organisations affiliated with or recognised by the SNU may have better visibility with the trust.
• Arthur Findlay College Connection: The trust has historical ties to the Arthur Findlay College at Stansted Hall, the world's foremost college for the advancement of Spiritualism and psychic sciences. Involvement with or training at the college may bring organisations and individuals to the trust's attention.
• Spiritualist Heritage Work: The trust demonstrated significant commitment to preserving Spiritualist heritage through its acquisition of Psychic News in 2011. Organisations working on similar preservation, documentation, or education projects within Spiritualism may align with the trust's interests.
• Direct Contact with Trustees: Given the trust's small board and hands-on approach, direct communication with the trustees about work that advances Spiritualist objectives may be the most effective approach.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As grants are made at trustee discretion rather than through scheduled application rounds, timing will vary depending on the trustees' assessment and availability of funds.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Given the discretionary nature of grant-making, unsuccessful inquiries would likely be considered on their individual merits if circumstances or proposals change.

Application Success Factors

While the J V Trust does not publicise specific application criteria, success factors can be inferred from the trust's activities and charitable objectives:

• Clear Spiritualist Focus: Demonstrate clear alignment with Spiritualism as a religion and religious philosophy. Generic interfaith or multi-faith approaches are unlikely to align with the trust's specific objectives.
• Minister Training and Development: Projects that support the training, education, and development of Spiritualist ministers appear central to the trust's mission.
• Spiritual Healing Advancement: Work that promotes and advances spiritual healing practices, training, or accessibility will likely be of interest.
• Heritage and Preservation: The trust's 2011 acquisition of Psychic News and its archives demonstrates commitment to preserving Spiritualist history and making it accessible for future generations.
• Support for Spiritualists in Need: The trust's objects include relief for aged and infirm Spiritualists facing financial hardship, suggesting grants may be available for welfare support within the Spiritualist community.
• Connection to Established Spiritualist Infrastructure: Links to recognised Spiritualist organisations, churches, or educational institutions (such as the Arthur Findlay College or SNU) may strengthen credibility.

The trust's leadership has demonstrated a commitment to supporting organisations while respecting their independence and allowing them to operate autonomously once support is provided.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The J V Trust operates exclusively within the Spiritualist movement—applications from outside this specific religious philosophy will not be successful
• There is no public application process; contact the trustees directly with a clear explanation of how your work advances Spiritualism
• The trust has demonstrated particular interest in minister training, spiritual healing, and preservation of Spiritualist heritage
• Building connections within the wider Spiritualist community (SNU, Arthur Findlay College, Spiritualist churches) may increase visibility
• The trust values organisational independence and autonomy once support has been provided
• With only 5 trustees and an expenditure of around £317,000 annually, this is a focused, specialist funder rather than a large-scale grant-maker
• Historical involvement and established connections within Spiritualism may be more important than formal application materials

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Mosselson Charitable Trust
• Magen Charitable Trust
• The George Cadbury Trust (Edward Cadbury Section)
• The Weldon UK Charitable Trust
• The Rowse Family Trust
• Rachel Charitable Trust
• The Spear Charitable Trust
• ODIN CHARITABLE TRUST
• The John Hemingway Charitable Trust
• AHAVAS CHESED TRUST

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - J V Trust (Charity 272232): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=272232&subid=0
2. Charity Choice - J V Trust Financial Information: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/j-v-trust-151623
3. Spirit of PN - “STOP PRESS – PSYCHIC NEWS”: https://spiritofpn.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/3347/
4. Arthur Findlay College official website: https://www.arthurfindlaycollege.org/
5. Wikipedia - Arthur Findlay College: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Findlay_College
6. Spiritualists' National Union official website: https://snu.org.uk/