Jo Li Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £68,000 - £241,000 (varies significantly by year)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: UK and Venice, Italy

Contact Details

• Charity Commission Page: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3983446
• Website: None
• Phone: 0121 449 0578
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The JO LI TRUST is a UK registered charity (1089476) established in memory of the late Dr Joseph Kwok Wai Li. The trust was created to support charitable organisations that Dr Li knew during his lifetime, or organisations that the trustees believe would have commanded his support. Dr Li appears to have been a medical professional with expertise in HIV and sexual health.

The trust has a distinctive combination of funding priorities: HIV infection and sexual health, special housing needs, and conservation in Venice. This unusual mix reflects the personal interests and connections of the late Dr Li. The trust is governed by three trustees and operates on a relatively modest scale, with annual expenditure typically ranging from £70,000 to £240,000. The trust does not receive any government funding and relies on investment income. In the most recent reporting year (2024), expenditure rose significantly to £241,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust makes grants in three specific areas:

• HIV infection and sexual health: Supporting organisations working in prevention, treatment, research, and support services
• Special housing needs: Supporting housing-related charitable work
• Conservation in Venice: Supporting preservation of Venice's historic and artistic heritage

Priority Areas

• Organisations known to the late Dr Joseph Kwok Wai Li
• Organisations working in HIV infection and sexual health
• Special housing needs projects
• Venice conservation initiatives

What They Don't Fund

Based on the trust's stated purposes, funding is unlikely to be available for:

• General charitable causes outside the three focus areas
• Organisations with no connection to the founder's interests
• Projects outside the UK or Venice

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

| Name | Role | Appointed |

|------|------|-----------|

| Kenneth Frank Jones | Chair | 04 August 2015 |

| John Dunworth | Trustee | 04 August 2015 |

| Dr Mohsen Shahmanesh | Trustee | 04 August 2015 |

Dr Mohsen Shahmanesh is a notable figure in HIV and sexual health research in the UK. He is affiliated with University College London's Department of Infection and Population Health and has authored academic publications on sexually transmitted infections. He also serves as a trustee of the Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Foundation (STIRF), which suggests a strong connection between the JO LI TRUST's HIV/sexual health focus and academic research in this field.

John Dunworth is also Chairman of the International Children's Trust (Charity 254781), which works with vulnerable children globally.

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

According to the charity's stated objectives, grants are made “primarily to support charitable organisations known to the late Dr Joseph Kwok Wai Li and others which, in the opinion of the trustees, would have commanded his support.” This indicates that grants are made at the trustees' discretion rather than through an open application process.

The trust appears to operate on an invitation-only basis, funding organisations with which the founder had pre-existing relationships or organisations identified by the trustees as aligned with the founder's values and interests.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. The trust submits annual returns to the Charity Commission but is not required to file detailed accounts due to its size.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Given the nature of this trust, organisations seeking support should consider:

• Connection to the founder's legacy: Organisations that had a relationship with Dr Joseph Kwok Wai Li would likely be prioritised
• Alignment with the three focus areas: HIV/sexual health, special housing needs, or Venice conservation
• Connection to the trustees: Given Dr Shahmanesh's involvement in sexual health research and STIRF, organisations in this field may have pathways to the trust through professional networks
• Demonstrated impact: Organisations with strong track records in the trust's focus areas

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This trust funds organisations at trustee discretion, primarily those known to the founder
• Very specific focus areas: Only HIV/sexual health, special housing needs, and Venice conservation are funded
• Small scale operation: Annual expenditure typically £70,000-£240,000 with only 3 trustees
• Academic connections: Trustee Dr Mohsen Shahmanesh's connection to STIRF and UCL may provide networking opportunities for sexual health researchers
• Memorial trust: Understanding Dr Joseph Kwok Wai Li's legacy and connections may help identify pathways to the trust
• No government funding: The trust operates independently from public funding streams

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - JO LI TRUST (1089476): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3983446
• STIRF (Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Foundation): https://stirf.org/
• Charity Commission Financial History for JO LI TRUST: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3983446/financial-history