Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Charity Number: 1184957

Annual Expenditure: £50.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £50-100 million planned over 5-10 years (from 2025)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (mostly by invitation)
  • Decision Time: Not specified (invitation-based)
  • Grant Range: £3,000 - £50,000 (Storytellers Fund), larger strategic grants by invitation
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide (all four nations)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.jrf.org.uk/

Phone: 01904 629241

Email: christine.frame@jrf.org.uk (specific contact), info@jrf.org.uk (general)

Address: The Homestead, 40 Water End, York YO30 6WP

Overview

Founded in 1904 by Quaker businessman Joseph Rowntree, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is an independent social change organization working to solve UK poverty. With over 120 years of experience, JRF conducts and funds research aimed at creating a future free from poverty where people and planet can flourish. The foundation recently announced plans to make more unrestricted grants, committing an additional £50-100 million over the next 5-10 years from 2025. Since 2015, they have allocated £20 million (5% of their endowment) to social investment, making fewer than 10 investments annually. JRF works across all four UK nations and has received recognition for its comprehensive poverty research, including the influential UK Poverty 2024 and 2025 reports.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Strategic Grants: By invitation only for projects aligned with their three focus areas (amounts not publicly specified)
  • Storytellers Fund: £3,000 - £50,000 for content creators sharing stories that inspire social change (launched 2023, continuing 2024)
  • Multi-year Partnerships: Four-year research partnerships (e.g., with Loughborough University's Centre for Research in Social Policy)
  • Social Investment: £250,000+ minimum for charities/social enterprises; £5,000,000+ for fund managers

Priority Areas

JRF focuses on three core areas:

  • Poverty and Economic Security: Household economic security, worst forms of poverty, and relationships with the wider economy
  • Housing: Social housing investment, housing costs, and support for renters
  • Work and Employment: Quality jobs, adequate pay, support for carers, and minimum wage improvements

Additional focus areas include:

  • Insight Infrastructure: Democratizing access to poverty data
  • Grassroots organizing led from positions of marginality
  • System change through mindset shifts and cultural narrative change

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects outside the UK
  • Work not aligned with poverty reduction and social change goals
  • Individual research projects without strategic alignment to their focus areas
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Governance and Leadership

Group Chief Executive: Paul Kissack (stepping down September 2024 to join DEFRA as Permanent Secretary)

Chair of Trustees: Professor Carol Tannahill OBE

Paul Kissack, who joined in September 2020 from a Director General role in UK Government during COVID-19, stated: "Joseph Rowntree's vision of a prosperous country free of poverty has never felt more relevant or urgent. As we emerge from the Covid crisis, it is vital that we redouble our efforts to address stark social and regional inequalities.“ Professor Tannahill praised his ”visionary, values-driven leadership“ over five years, noting how both JRF and JRHT have ”gone from strength to strength" under his leadership.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Most funding is by invitation only, though JRF occasionally issues calls for proposals. Interested organizations should:

  • Sign up for their newsletter to receive updates on calls for proposals
  • Contact them directly via info@jrf.org.uk for strategic discussions
  • Monitor their website for rare open funding opportunities

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified due to invitation-based approach

Success Rates

Not publicly available as most funding is strategic and by invitation

Reapplication Policy

Not specified, but given the invitation-based model, unsuccessful approaches may be reconsidered as strategic priorities evolve

Application Success Factors

Given JRF's invitation-based funding model, success factors include:

  • Strategic Alignment: Projects must directly address UK poverty through their three focus areas
  • Evidence Base: Strong research foundation and data-driven approaches
  • System Change Focus: Work that addresses root causes rather than just symptoms
  • UK-wide Impact: Potential for national influence across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
  • Partnership Approach: Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with other organizations
  • Long-term Vision: Projects that contribute to sustained change rather than short-term interventions

Recent funding decisions show preference for:

  • Organizations democratizing access to poverty data
  • Grassroots movements led from positions of marginality
  • Work that challenges existing narratives and mindsets
  • Multi-year research partnerships with established institutions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Relationship Building: Most funding is by invitation - focus on building relationships with JRF staff through their research and policy work
  • Research Excellence: Strong evidence base and research methodology are essential
  • Strategic Fit: Ensure perfect alignment with their three focus areas of poverty/economic security, housing, and work/employment
  • System Change Approach: Demonstrate how your work will create lasting change beyond immediate outputs
  • Multi-year Vision: Be prepared to articulate long-term impact and sustainability
  • UK Context: Show deep understanding of UK poverty challenges and policy landscape
  • Newsletter Subscription: Essential for the rare occasions when open calls are issued

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