The Joseph Rank Trust

Charity Number: 1093844

Annual Expenditure: £2.7M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £2,695,300 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Quarterly trustee meetings (applications processed in 2-4 weeks)
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £250,000 (typical £10,000 - £100,000)
  • Geographic Focus: United Kingdom
  • Application Type: Rolling (hard copy only)

Contact Details

Address: Worth Corner, Turners Hill Road, Crawley, RH10 7SL

Phone: 01293 873947

Email: secretary@ranktrust.org

Website: www.ranktrust.org

The Trust Secretary is available by telephone or email for advice on the application process. The Trust describes itself as “approachable and welcomes queries.”

Overview

The Joseph Rank Trust was established in June 2002, representing an amalgamation of charities founded by Joseph Rank (1854-1943) or his family members between October 1918 and April 1942. Joseph Rank, founder of one of Britain's largest flour milling and bakery companies, gave more than £3.5 million to Methodist charities during his lifetime. Today, the Trust is an independent Christian grant-maker working with all Christian denominations across the United Kingdom. The Trust's principal objective is to advance the Christian faith and help the less fortunate members of society. The Trust is committed to transparency and publishes grant data through 360Giving under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License, with grants totalling £2,695,300 in 2024 and £2,112,500 to date in 2025.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Capital Grants: One-off grants for property schemes including adaptation or improvement of church properties (including new build) to provide enhanced facilities for church and community use.

Three-Year Running Costs Grants: Core costs or project funding for initiatives demonstrating a Christian approach to practical, educational, and spiritual needs.

Methodist-Specific Support: Family workers at church, circuit, or district level; youth workers; and other areas of local home mission work.

Grant amounts range from £1,000 to £250,000, with typical awards between £10,000 and £100,000. There are no minimum or maximum levels - each application is considered on its own merits.

Priority Areas

  • Projects demonstrating a Christian approach to the practical, educational, and spiritual needs of people of all ages
  • Adaptation or improvement of church properties with a view to providing improved facilities for use by the church and its work in the community
  • Community-focused initiatives with clear Christian mission
  • Methodist churches and charities receive priority consideration

What They Don't Fund

Organizations: Individuals, overseas projects, heritage charities/projects, almshouses, arts organizations, hospices, village halls, school PTAs, school boards/governing bodies, social enterprises without charitable status, franchise partners, community interest companies, community benefit societies, non-Christian community trusts, umbrella bodies or third parties

Building Projects: Roof projects, insulation, solar energy, lightning conductors, electrical rewiring, heating systems, window repairs, memorial displays, deferred church maintenance, restoration projects

Other Exclusions: IT projects, media/broadcasting initiatives, musical equipment, performance-related funding, emergency grants, scholarships

Important Note: Grants cannot be paid to umbrella bodies or third parties. The Trust is not a repeat funder for previous grantees.

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees who meet four times per year (quarterly) to review grant applications, strategy, operational and investment performance, and set operating plans and budgets. An Annual General Meeting is held in July. All Trustees are involved in the grant-making process and no Trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. Grant commitments are decided by the Board of Trustees, with each application considered on its own merits.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Pre-Application: Contact the Trust Secretary by telephone or email for advice. Review the “Areas of Interest” page to ensure project alignment. The Trust is “approachable and welcomes queries.”

Application Format: Hard copy only (NOT email)

  • 2-page A4 narrative in portrait format (font size 11+)
  • Must include: What you're doing, Why you're doing it, What you aspire to do differently, Who is benefiting from your mission outreach, Work sustainability
  • Optional: 2-3 minute explanatory video (recommended)
  • For building projects: Evidence of existing mission, faculty/planning permissions
  • Do NOT include photographs (they photocopy black), DVDs, or glossy brochures
  • Do NOT submit a “laundry list” of activities - focus on the complete capital project or the work of the charity

Required Documentation:

  • Detailed budget/costings
  • Most recent monthly management accounts
  • Most recent annual report and accounts
  • Details of other grant applications
  • Covering letter

Submit to: The Trust Secretary directly

Decision Timeline

  • Applications treated on a “first come, first served” basis
  • Acknowledged when assessed (may take 2-4 weeks)
  • Trustees meet four times per year (quarterly): meetings scheduled for January, April, July, and October
  • Next trustee meeting: January 2026
  • Site visits may be conducted by the Secretary and Trustees
  • If no reply received by specified date, grant was not possible
  • The Trust cannot fund every application received

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the high volume of applications has led the Trust to periodically pause new applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. The Trust notes it is “not a repeat funder” for previous grantees, suggesting organisations that have received grants may face restrictions on reapplication. Contact the Trust Secretary for guidance on specific circumstances.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Trust

“If you need any advice on the application process, contact the Secretary by telephone or email - the Trust is approachable and welcomes queries.”

"Applicants should contact the Trust Secretary if they are in doubt about whether their work fits with the Trust's areas of interest."

Critical Application Elements

The Two-Page Rule: “Applicants must set out the essential details of a project on two sides of A4 paper, portrait not landscape (not 1.5 pages, not 2.5 pages but 2 pages).”

What to Include: Use suggested headings - What you are doing, Why you are doing it, What you aspire to do differently, Who it is benefiting from your mission outreach.

What NOT to Do:

  • “Do not place photographs in your 2 sides of A4 – they will only photocopy black and add no value”
  • “Do not send DVDs or glossary brochures”
  • "Do not submit a 'laundry list' of areas of activity – either focus on the complete capital project or the work of the charity"

Matched Funding

“Applicants are required to ensure that they have other sources of funding or can match any funding the Trust might provide (not applicable for capital grants).”

Assessment Priorities

The Trustees take into account the primary objective of the Trust - to advance the Christian faith - when considering all appeals. Projects should demonstrate a clear Christian approach and show how they serve both the church and the wider community.

Standing Out

  • Make the Christian mission and approach explicit and central
  • Demonstrate community impact beyond the church congregation
  • Show sustainability of work beyond the grant period
  • Provide clear, focused narrative rather than broad descriptions
  • Include a 2-3 minute explanatory video if possible
  • Engage with the Trust Secretary early for guidance
  • Ensure matched funding is secured or clearly planned

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Christian Focus is Essential: Every application must demonstrate how it advances the Christian faith - this is the Trust's primary objective and central to all funding decisions
  • Follow the Two-Page Rule Strictly: Exactly 2 sides of A4, portrait format, font 11+ - no photographs, no glossy materials, focused narrative only
  • Contact the Secretary First: The Trust actively encourages pre-application contact and is described as “approachable” - use this opportunity to test alignment
  • Matched Funding Matters: Except for capital grants, demonstrate other funding sources or ability to match the Trust's contribution
  • Methodist Charities Get Priority: While all Christian denominations are supported, Methodist churches and charities receive priority consideration
  • Hard Copy Only: Email applications are not accepted - postal submissions only
  • First Come, First Served: Applications are processed in order received and acknowledged within 2-4 weeks - apply early in the cycle
  • Not a Repeat Funder: Plan carefully as the Trust does not typically fund previous grantees again

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