John James Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ??276,372 (grants in FY 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed at bi-annual trustee meetings (April and November)
• Grant Range: Average grant ??2,000 (specific range not disclosed)
• Geographic Focus: UK national (or UK-based mission agencies working internationally)

Contact Details

Website: www.johnjamestrust.org

Email: info@johnjamestrust.org

Phone: 01483 464224

Registered Office: 6 Mina Road, London SW19 3AU

Charity Number: 328359

Overview

The John James Charitable Trust was founded over 30 years ago (registered 1989) by a Christian businessman from Leeds, guided by two biblical principles: “Christians are to love one another” (1 John) and “faith without works is dead” (James). The trust focuses on supporting Christian ministry and training, particularly among children and young people. With total income of ??1.3 million in FY 2024 and charitable expenditure of ??276,372, the trust operates with four trustees who receive no remuneration. The trust has evolved its approach in recent years, shifting from individual student grants to supporting selected Christian training organizations through bursary schemes, while maintaining support for church-based, practical ministry training.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Ministry Training Grants

• Average grant: ??2,000
• For individuals undertaking church-based, practical “Minister-in-Training” roles
• Applications accepted: April and November only
• Must pass two-question pre-qualification questionnaire

Organizational Grants

• For UK registered charities working in Christian ministry
• Focus on youth and children's ministry projects
• Support for theological training organizations through bursary schemes
• Applications accepted: April and November only

Priority Areas

The trust considers applications based on six key factors:

• Long-term ministry sustainability - Evidence of ongoing commitment
• Applicant's dedication to ministry - Demonstrated calling and commitment
• Funding challenges - Difficulty obtaining support elsewhere
• Local support network - Church and community backing
• Community impact potential - Measurable benefit to those served
• Christ-centered focus - Clear advancement of Christian faith

Specific Funding Categories:

• Youth clubs and schools programs providing Christian support and teaching
• Training for various areas of Christian ministry
• Parish churches and organizations in deprived areas supporting families with opportunities to explore faith
• Sports, business development, or other activities advancing Christian faith (UK or overseas)

What They Don't Fund

• No longer funded: Individual students undertaking theological training at institutions (now supported through organizational bursary schemes only)
• Ineligible applicants: Non-UK based organizations (unless supported by UK-based mission agency)
• Out of scope: Non-Christian faith activities
• Organizational requirement: Organizations must be registered with the Charity Commission

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees: 4 trustees (names not publicly disclosed)

• No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
• Trustees meet bi-annually (April and November) to review applications

Financial Overview (FY ending March 2024):

• Total income: ??1,318,556
• Charitable activities expenditure: ??276,372
• Retained for future use: ??107,627
• No employees with benefits over ??60,000

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Pre-Qualification Required:

All applicants must first complete a two-question pre-qualification questionnaire on the trust's website. The qualifying questions assess:

1. Whether you are involved in ministry advancing the Christian faith
2. Whether you are based in the UK or supported by a UK-based mission agency

Application Windows:

Applications are accepted only in April and November

Process Steps:

1. Complete pre-qualification questionnaire online
2. Submit full application (if qualifying criteria met)
3. Application checked against Charitable Objects, Guidelines, and Funding Priorities
4. References taken up (if criteria fulfilled)
5. Application reviewed at next available trustee meeting
6. Applicants notified of decision

For Successful Applicants:

Recipients are asked to provide termly updates so the trust can support them in prayer

Decision Timeline

• Application deadlines: April and November
• Review schedule: Applications reviewed at next available trustee meeting following submission
• Notification: After trustee meeting (specific timeframe not disclosed)
• Total process time estimated at 1-3 months from application to decision

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The trust does not publish statistics on application numbers or percentage of successful grants.

Reapplication Policy

• Data retention: Unsuccessful applicant data retained for 6 months after the trustees' meeting
• Reapplication: Specific reapplication policy not publicly disclosed
• Contact the trust directly for guidance on reapplication timing

Application Success Factors

Trust's Stated Priorities

The trust evaluates applications based on these considerations:

1. Long-term sustainability: “Will it be possible for the ministry to continue in the long term?”
2. Genuine commitment: Evidence of applicant's dedication to the ministry
3. Funding need: “Is the applicant finding it difficult to get other people or organisations to fund him/her?”
4. Support network: “Is the local church supportive? Are other people or organizations keen to support him/her?”
5. Impact potential: “Will this activity benefit other people in a definite way?”
6. Faith focus: “Is Christ and his gospel clearly at the centre of this ministry?”

Biblical Foundation

The trust is guided by two principles from scripture:

• “Christians are to love one another” (1 John)
• “Faith without works is dead” (James)

Applications that demonstrate these principles in action may resonate with the trustees' values.

Strong Application Elements

• Clear Christian mission: Explicit focus on advancing Christian faith
• Youth and children's focus: Priority area for the trust
• UK church support: Letters of support from local churches or Christian networks
• Practical ministry training: Especially church-based, hands-on roles
• Deprived area ministry: Supporting families and communities in need
• Sustainability plan: Evidence of long-term viability beyond grant period

Examples of Funded Work

• Youth clubs providing activities, support, and Christian teaching
• Schools programs explaining Christian faith
• Church-based practical ministry training schemes
• Organizations supporting theological training through bursaries
• Parish work in deprived areas with pastoral support and faith exploration opportunities
• Ministry combining Christian faith with sports, education, or business development

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Timing is critical: Only apply in April or November application windows; plan accordingly
• Pass pre-qualification first: Complete the two-question online questionnaire before investing time in full application
• Demonstrate Christ-centered approach: The trust's foundation is biblical, and applications must clearly show how Christian faith is advanced
• Show local church support: Evidence of backing from your church or Christian network strengthens applications significantly
• Focus on sustainability: Trustees want to know the ministry will continue long-term, not just during the grant period
• Youth ministry is prioritized: Projects working with children and young people align with core charitable objects
• Be realistic about funding challenges: The trust considers whether you're finding it difficult to secure other funding
• Average ??2,000 grants: Set expectations accordingly; this is not a major grant program but focused support for Christian workers and smaller projects

References

• John James Charitable Trust official website: https://www.johnjamestrust.org
• About Us page: https://www.johnjamestrust.org/about-us/
• Application guidelines: https://www.johnjamestrust.org/apply/
• UK Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=328359
• Financial data from Charity Commission records for year ending March 2024