The James Pantyfedwen Foundation

Charity Number: 1069598

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £545,253 (2023-24)
  • Endowment Fund: £16.6 million
  • Grant Range: Up to £5,000 (students); amounts vary (church buildings, equipment, eisteddfodau)
  • Geographic Focus: Wales
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months (quarterly trustee meetings)

Contact Details

Address: Pantyfedwen, 9 Market Street, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1DL

Phone: 01970 612806

Email: post@jamespantyfedwen.cymru

Website: www.jamespantyfedwen.cymru

Charity Number: 1069598

Overview

The James Pantyfedwen Foundation began operations on 1 April 1998 as the successor to two charitable trusts established by the late Sir David John James (1887-1967), a Welsh businessman and philanthropist who made his fortune through cinema ownership in London. With an endowment fund valued at £16.6 million, the Foundation distributes approximately £500,000-£545,000 annually to support religion, education, and culture in Wales. The Foundation operates under the founder's vision of creating a permanent endowment to benefit the people of Wales, with a particular focus on Welsh language and culture, postgraduate education, church renovation and mission, and the preservation of eisteddfod traditions. The Foundation is governed by 19 trustees, including six ex-officio trustees representing major Welsh religious denominations and cultural institutions, plus 12 ordinary trustees with expertise in finance, education, and Welsh cultural affairs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Postgraduate Student Grants (£362,713 in 2023-24)

  • Up to £5,000 per student for tuition fees
  • Rolling applications with annual deadline (typically 31 May for following academic year)
  • Supports Masters and PhD students
  • At least 75% of student grants allocated to those studying at Welsh universities
  • Priority given to research students

Church Building Grants (£78,500 in 2023-24)

  • Amounts vary by project
  • Applications reviewed quarterly (March, July, November meetings)
  • Priority for renovation projects linked to mission and outreach plans
  • Strong preference for ecumenical projects
  • Must submit at least one month before trustee meeting

Church Resources and Equipment Grants (£9,000 in 2023-24)

  • Technical or musical equipment
  • Resources for specific projects
  • Preference for interdenominational projects or community development initiatives
  • Quarterly review cycle

Eisteddfod Grants (£85,040 in 2023-24)

  • Based on percentage of previous year's prize money
  • Specific grants to National Eisteddfod, Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Urdd Eisteddfod
  • Local eisteddfodau may apply
  • Quarterly application review
  • Recognition in eisteddfod programme required

Publications Grants

  • Books on religion, theology, or philosophy
  • Supports Welsh-language and English-language publications
  • Application details available from Foundation

Christian Training Course Grants

  • Intensive training courses for ministers, Christian workers, and leaders in Wales
  • Must contribute directly to developing ministry and mission
  • Applicants must be active members of Christian churches in Wales
  • Quarterly review cycle

Priority Areas

Education: Postgraduate students with Welsh connections studying all academic disciplines, with priority for those at Welsh universities and undertaking research

Religion: Church buildings requiring renovation for mission and outreach, with emphasis on ecumenical cooperation; equipment and resources for churches; training for Christian leaders

Culture: Local and national eisteddfodau preserving Welsh cultural traditions; publications advancing knowledge of religion, theology, and philosophy

Geographic Focus: Exclusively Wales

Welsh Connection: Strong preference throughout all programs for Welsh language, Welsh institutions, and Welsh cultural preservation

What They Don't Fund

Student Grants - Exclusions:

  • Undergraduate courses
  • Students who already hold a higher degree (except progression from Masters to PhD)
  • Masters courses longer than one year
  • Non-approved institutions
  • Supplementing awards from local education authorities or research councils

Church Grants - Limitations:

  • Churches without regular Sunday services or membership of around fifty
  • Pure maintenance work (though not excluded, receives lower priority)
  • Churches without denominational affiliation or charity registration
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Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees

Gwerfyl Pierce Jones – Retired former Director of the Welsh Books Council

Ex-Officio Trustees

  • Reverend Judith Morris – General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Wales
  • Reverend Nan Powell-Davies – General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Wales
  • Elinor Wyn Reynolds – General Secretary, Union of Welsh Independents
  • Gethin Thomas – Chair of the Council of the National Eisteddfod of Wales
  • The Most Reverend Cherry Vann – Archbishop of Wales

Ordinary Trustees

The Foundation's 12 ordinary trustees bring expertise in education (including three professors and a former schools inspector), finance and accounting (former Finance Director of Aberystwyth University, former Deputy Chair of Principality Building Society), Welsh history and culture (multiple academics from Welsh universities), and local government finance.

Founder's Vision

Sir David John James (1887-1967) established the original trusts from his fortune earned through cinema ownership in London. Despite living in London for business, he maintained strong connections to Wales and Pantyfedwen in Cardiganshire. With no children, he dedicated his wealth to supporting Welsh religious and educational causes, receiving an honorary LL.D from the University of Wales (1957), a knighthood (1959), and the Freedom of the Borough of Aberystwyth (1964).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Student Grants:

  • Download guidelines and application forms from website (available from 1 April each year)
  • Submit completed application by 31 May for courses starting in following academic year
  • Can submit before examination results are known (must inform Foundation of outcome later)
  • No late applications accepted

Church Buildings, Equipment, Eisteddfodau, and Training Courses:

  • Download relevant guidelines and application forms from website
  • Submit at least one month before trustee meeting
  • Include required supporting documents (varies by grant type)
  • For eisteddfodau: include audited accounts and official programme from previous event

All Applications:

  • Contact Foundation office for guidance: 01970 612806 or post@jamespantyfedwen.cymru

Decision Timeline

Trustee Meetings: Three times per year (typically March, July, November)

Process Timeline:

  1. Submit application at least one month before meeting
  2. Trustees review applications at quarterly meeting
  3. Decisions communicated after meeting
  4. Typical timeline: 3-4 months from submission to decision

Student Grants: Annual cycle with May 31 deadline; decisions typically made in summer for following academic year

Success Rates

Success rate statistics are not publicly available. However, the Foundation distributed £362,713 to students in 2023-24, suggesting substantial support for multiple applicants at the maximum £5,000 level (potentially 70+ students annually).

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation's published materials do not specify a formal reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. It appears applicants may reapply in subsequent funding cycles, particularly for student grants which have annual application windows. Contact the Foundation directly for specific guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

For Student Grants

Strengthen Your Welsh Connection: At least 75% of student grants go to those studying at Welsh universities. To be eligible, you must have a permanent address in Wales AND meet one of these criteria: born in Wales, have at least one parent born in Wales, OR studied for at least seven years in Wales.

Research Students Have Priority: The Foundation currently gives priority to postgraduate research students (PhD candidates). If you're considering a PhD, emphasize your research plans and contribution to scholarship.

Timing Matters: Application forms become available 1 April and the deadline is firm at 31 May. The Foundation explicitly states they “do not accept any late applications.”

What Makes Applications Successful: Based on beneficiary case studies, successful applicants have studied diverse fields including Welsh literature, Shakespeare translations, film studies, fashion design, sociology, and Celtic studies at prestigious universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Cardiff, Bangor, and Central Saint Martins.

For Church Grants

Link Renovation to Mission: “Priority is given to those applications where the renovations are clearly linked with the mission and outreach plans of the church.” Don't just describe building needs—explain how the work will enable ministry and community engagement.

Ecumenical Projects Stand Out: The Foundation emphasizes “the highest priority will be given to those projects which demonstrate a clear link with the mission and outreach plans of the church, and where there is evidence of sharing church buildings, such as the coming together of a number of traditions to create a new and united congregation.”

Meet Basic Requirements: Churches must have “a membership of around fifty” and hold regular Sunday services. Must be part of a denominational structure or registered as a charity.

Equipment Grants: Emphasize how expensive technical or musical equipment will support "interdenominational projects or projects developing the church's involvement with the community."

For Eisteddfod Grants

Charity Status Required: Your eisteddfod must be registered as a charity or organized under the auspices of a registered or exempt charity.

Document Your Previous Event: Applications require audited accounts and official programme from your previous eisteddfod.

Recognize the Funder: "Recognition of the Foundation's support is required on the eisteddfod programme."

For Training Course Grants

Active Church Involvement Essential: You must be “a member, or be involved on a regular basis, with a Christian church in Wales.”

Ministry Development Focus: Courses must “contribute directly towards developing ministry and mission.” Make the connection explicit in your application.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Welsh identity is central: Every grant program prioritizes Welsh connections, Welsh language, Welsh institutions, and Welsh culture. Emphasize your Welsh credentials and how your project serves Wales.
  • Mission over maintenance: For church grants, renovation for the sake of building preservation is less compelling than renovation that enables mission, outreach, and community service—especially ecumenical cooperation.
  • Plan ahead for quarterly cycles: Church, equipment, training, and eisteddfod grants are reviewed three times yearly. Submit at least one month before meetings (typically March, July, November) and expect 3-4 month timelines.
  • Student deadline is absolute: The 31 May deadline for student grants is firm with no late applications accepted. Forms become available 1 April, giving a two-month window.
  • The founder's vision still guides decisions: Sir D.J. James established these trusts to benefit Welsh people through education and religion. Applications that reflect his original vision of supporting Welsh cultural and religious life are likely to resonate with trustees.
  • Trustees bring deep Welsh expertise: The board includes leaders of major Welsh denominations, the National Eisteddfod chair, academics specializing in Welsh history and literature, and financial professionals from Welsh institutions. They understand the Welsh context deeply.
  • Contact them for guidance: The Foundation office (01970 612806, post@jamespantyfedwen.cymru) can provide advice on eligibility and application preparation. Use this resource.

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