The John And Ruth Howard Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £106,468 (year ending March 2024)
• Annual Income: £63,427 (year ending March 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (varies by project)
• Geographic Focus: England (excluding Wales), with preference for Greater London, particularly Ealing and Hounslow boroughs

Contact Details

Phone: 020 8560 1837

Registered Charity Number: 1005072

Official Register: UK Charity Commission Register

Overview

The John and Ruth Howard Charitable Trust is a UK registered charity established in 1990 that provides grants across four distinct areas of heritage and education. The trust allocates its income equally across its four charitable purposes: 25% for the advancement of public education in archaeology, 25% for the preservation and protection of buildings for public benefit, 25% for the advancement of public education in choir schools and associated music of cathedrals, abbeys, colleges or similar institutions in England that are not already well endowed, and 25% to any other charitable object or charity chosen by the trustees. With total expenditure of £106,468 in the year ending March 2024, the trust demonstrates a commitment to supporting heritage preservation and education across England, with a particular focus on the Greater London area.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates under a unified grant-making approach divided into four equal allocation areas:

Archaeological Education (25% allocation)

• Advancement of public education in the field of archaeology
• Support for archaeological research and conservation projects
• Museums and heritage interpretation

Historic Building Preservation (25% allocation)

• Preservation and protection of buildings of historic or architectural interest
• Conservation of monuments and heritage structures
• Church restoration and heritage building maintenance
• Geographic focus: anywhere in England (excluding Wales), with preference for Greater London, particularly Ealing and Hounslow

Choir Schools and Associated Music (25% allocation)

• Advancement of public education in choir schools
• Music education associated with cathedrals, abbeys, colleges or similar institutions
• Focus on institutions in England that are not already well endowed

Discretionary Charitable Objects (25% allocation)

• Any other charitable object or charity chosen by the trustees
• Provides flexibility to support worthy causes aligned with the trust's overall mission

Priority Areas

The trust actively funds:

• Heritage Conservation: Historic buildings, monuments, and plaques commemorating significant historical figures or events
• Archaeological Projects: Major heritage acquisitions, conservation, and public education initiatives
• Religious Heritage: Church buildings and associated historic structures, particularly in Ealing and Hounslow
• Music Education: Choir schools and musical education programs associated with religious or historic institutions
• London Focus: Strong preference for projects in Greater London, especially Ealing and Hounslow boroughs

Examples of Funded Projects

• Staffordshire Hoard: Contributed to the acquisition, display, care, conservation and research of the significant Anglo-Saxon treasure
• Kenwood Bathhouse, North London: Supported restoration of the historic cold-plunge bathhouse at Kenwood (Iveagh Bequest), working alongside The Friends of the Iveagh Bequest, Pilgrim Trust, The Rose Foundation, The Aurelius Charitable Trust, and an individual donation from Helen Payne
• Spencer Perceval Memorial Plaque: Co-sponsored (with Ealing Civic Society and All Saints Church) a commemorative plaque unveiled in October 2009 at All Saints Church, Ealing, honoring Prime Minister Spencer Perceval who lived at Elm Grove and was assassinated in 1812

What They Don't Fund

Based on their stated objectives, the trust does not fund:

• Projects in Wales
• Institutions or organizations that are already well endowed (particularly for choir school/music applications)
• Projects outside their four core charitable purposes
• Non-heritage secular education programs
• International projects outside England

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The trust is governed by four trustees:

• Founding trustee (appointed 1990)
• Long-standing leadership providing continuity of vision

• Appointed 2007

• Appointed 1 June 2017

• Appointed 14 January 2020

All trustees serve without remuneration or benefits, demonstrating voluntary commitment to the trust's charitable mission. The charity has no employees or trading subsidiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The trust does not have a public application process or formal grant application guidelines available online. Organizations interested in applying should make initial contact via telephone at 020 8560 1837 to discuss potential projects and determine eligibility.

Given the trust's focused geographic preference (Ealing and Hounslow) and specific thematic areas (archaeology, historic buildings, choir schools, and discretionary objects), prospective applicants should be prepared to clearly articulate how their project aligns with these priorities.

Decision Timeline

Information about decision timelines is not publicly available. The trust's financial year ends on 31 March, and with annual expenditure of £106,468 (2024), grants are distributed throughout the year across the four allocation areas.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. Given the trust's relatively modest annual giving compared to larger foundations, and its specific thematic and geographic focus, competition for grants is likely to be significant, particularly for projects in the preferred Ealing and Hounslow areas.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy has been published. Applicants are advised to contact the trust directly to discuss reapplication possibilities if unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's funded projects and stated priorities, successful applications typically demonstrate:

Geographic Alignment: Projects in Greater London, particularly Ealing and Hounslow, receive preference. The Spencer Perceval plaque (All Saints Church, Ealing) and the trust's explicit geographic focus suggest strong local ties influence funding decisions.

Heritage Significance: The trust supports projects with clear historical, architectural, or cultural importance. The Kenwood bathhouse restoration and Staffordshire Hoard contribution demonstrate willingness to support nationally significant heritage projects alongside local initiatives.

Collaborative Funding: Several funded projects (Kenwood bathhouse, Spencer Perceval plaque) involved multiple funders. The trust appears comfortable participating in collaborative funding arrangements rather than sole funding.

Clear Charitable Benefit: Projects must demonstrate public benefit through education, preservation, or access. The trust's support for plaques, archaeological displays, and building conservation all serve public education and heritage preservation.

Appropriate Scale: With annual expenditure around £106,000 divided equally across four areas (approximately £26,500 per category), the trust likely provides smaller to medium-sized grants rather than major funding. Projects seeking total funding in the thousands to tens of thousands may be most appropriate.

Thematic Clarity: Applications should clearly identify which of the four allocation areas (archaeology, buildings, choir schools, or discretionary) the project falls under, as the trust divides funding equally among these categories.

Under-endowed Institutions: For choir school and music education applications, the trust specifically targets institutions “not already well endowed,” suggesting preference for organizations with genuine financial need.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Direct Contact Essential: With no online application process, telephone contact (020 8560 1837) is the first step for any prospective applicant

• Know Your Category: Understanding which of the four 25% allocation areas your project fits is crucial - archaeology education, historic building preservation, choir school music, or discretionary charitable objects

• London Advantage: Projects in Ealing and Hounslow have a distinct advantage, though other English locations (excluding Wales) are eligible for building preservation grants

• Partnership Approach: The trust has participated in collaborative funding arrangements; presenting your project as part of a broader funding package may be strategic

• Heritage and Education: Successful projects combine heritage preservation with public education or access - the trust values making history accessible to the public

• Modest Expectations: With approximately £26,500 available per allocation category annually, this is a grant-maker for smaller projects or contributions to larger initiatives, not a primary funder for major capital projects

• Local Historical Significance: The trust's support for the Spencer Perceval plaque demonstrates interest in commemorating and educating the public about local historical figures and events, particularly in their priority boroughs

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE WILLIAM DELAFIELD CHARITABLE TRUST
• William and Edith Oldham Charitable Trust
• BENNY WALKER CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Rowlands Trust
• THE HARDING TRUST
• Mobbs Memorial Trust Limited
• William Gibbs Religious and Educational Trust
• Skyrme Hart Charitable Trust
• The Englefield Charitable Trust
• Normanby Charitable Trust

References

• UK Charity Commission Register: The John and Ruth Howard Charitable Trust - Charity 1005072
• National Churches Trust: John & Ruth Howard Charitable Trust
• London Remembers: John & Ruth Howard Charitable Trust
• London Remembers: Spencer Perceval - W5
• The Staffordshire Hoard: Partners and Funders
• All information