The Sir James Reckitt Charity

Charity Number: 225356

Annual Expenditure: £2.4M
Kingston Upon Hull City, East Riding Of Yorkshire

Contact Info

Website: http://www.thesirjamesreckittcharity.org.uk/

Phone: 07507 340121

Email: kelly@thesirjamesreckittcharity.org.uk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,000,000+
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Up to 6 months (twice-yearly meetings in May and November)
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000 (larger grants considered; urgent grants up to £2,000 possible)
  • Geographic Focus: Hull and East Yorkshire, plus national support for Quaker causes

Contact Details

Website: http://www.thesirjamesreckittcharity.org.uk/

Email: kelly@thesirjamesreckittcharity.org.uk

Phone: 07507 340121

Address: 4 Summergangs Drive, Thorngumbald, Hull, HU12 9PW

Administrator: Kelly Sykes

Overview

The Sir James Reckitt Charity was established in May 1921 with an endowment by Sir James Reckitt of shares in Reckitt & Sons Ltd. Over the past century, the charity has donated more than £30 million to charitable causes. In 2009, annual grants first exceeded £1 million, and the charity has maintained this level of giving in recent years, now distributing over £1 million annually. The charity is rooted in Quaker values and maintains a dual focus: supporting Quaker causes nationally and prioritizing charitable work that benefits the people of Hull and East Yorkshire. The charity celebrated its centenary in 2021-2022, marking the occasion with a special £2 million Centenary Grant fund for organizations it had previously supported.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grants: £1,000 - £10,000 (larger grants considered)

  • Applications reviewed at twice-yearly trustee meetings (May and November)
  • Applications must be received at least one month before meeting dates
  • Unrestricted grants preferred, allowing charities discretion in spending

Urgent/Small Grants: Up to £2,000

  • Can be approved within a few weeks for time-sensitive needs
  • Processed outside regular trustee meeting schedule

Starter Grants (administered through Hull CVS):

  • Up to £150 for new groups in Hull
  • Up to £200 for very small self-help groups with income under £2,000 annually

Bransholme Trust Fund (administered separately):

  • Up to £1,000 for voluntary and community groups on the Bransholme Estate in Hull

Priority Areas

Primary Funding Focus:

  • Quaker causes (wherever they may be)
  • Causes benefiting people of Hull and East Yorkshire

Supported Sectors:

  • Social and community projects (over 50% of funding)
  • Educational purposes (19% of funding)
  • Religious causes
  • Medical and healthcare
  • Youth programs
  • Hospitals
  • Schools and nurseries

Use of Funds:

  • Start-up costs
  • Core costs/running expenses
  • Equipment and materials purchase
  • Building improvements
  • Training costs
  • Project development costs

What They Don't Fund

  • Any purposes considered to be of a warlike character

Governance and Leadership

The Sir James Reckitt Charity comprises 13 descendants of the Reckitt family and 2 Quaker trustees, supported by two part-time administrators who review incoming grant applications.

Current Chair: Sarah Craven (great-great-granddaughter of Sir James Reckitt)

Longest-Serving Trustee: Robin Upton (great-grandson of Sir James, trustee since 1956, served as chair for several decades)

Other Named Trustees: Sue Coupland

The charity's governance structure ensures continuity with the founder's vision while maintaining strong connections to both the Reckitt family legacy and Quaker values. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Quote from Leadership:

Sarah Craven, Chair: “For any charitable organisation to reach 100 years of supporting good causes is a fantastic achievement... I encourage all organizations we currently work with to please get in touch.”

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application:

  • Available at www.thesirjamesreckittcharity.org.uk/apply
  • Takes approximately 30 minutes to complete
  • Google Docs format for organizational applications

Alternative Method:

  • Applications by letter or email accepted
  • PDF download available for Grant Giving Consortium (individual/hardship funding)

Required Documents:

  • Latest annual accounts/financial statements (required)
  • Annual report (optional)

Application Questions Include:

  • Charity registration status
  • Geographic association with Hull/East Yorkshire or Quaker connection
  • Previous grant application history
  • Project funding details and total costs
  • Requested funding amount
  • Funding timeline
  • Potential matching funds

Decision Timeline

Regular Grant Cycle:

  • Trustees meet twice yearly in May and November
  • Applications must be received one month before meeting dates
  • Decision timeline: up to 6 months from submission to decision

Urgent/Small Grants:

  • Amounts up to £2,000 can be approved within a few weeks
  • Available for time-sensitive needs

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The charity distributes over £1 million annually across its various grant programs.

Reapplication Policy

Two-Year Rule: The charity has a firm policy that further appeals will not normally be considered until two years have elapsed since a previous application (whether successful or unsuccessful), except in emergencies.

Core Charities: Some organizations receive annual funding as core supported charities, exempting them from the two-year rule.

Application Success Factors

Geographic and Values Alignment

The charity maintains two clear priorities that should be reflected in applications:

  • Quaker causes wherever they may be
  • Hull and East Yorkshire community benefit

Organizations demonstrating clear alignment with these priorities have the strongest foundation for funding.

Funding Flexibility

The charity emphasizes that it “generally gives unrestricted grants, for charities to spend at their discretion” and “funding is flexible, and can be used for start-up costs, core costs and other projects.” Applications should clearly state funding needs while demonstrating organizational capacity to use funds effectively.

Examples of Funded Projects

Education and Youth:

  • Ron Dearing UTC: £3,000 for science club creation
  • Mersey Primary Academy: £3,000 for science club and activities
  • Hull Sea Cadets: Annual grant for running costs (keeps subscription fees low)

Social and Community:

  • Humbercare: Supporting rehabilitation and mental/moral improvement of offenders
  • Humber All Nations Alliance (HANA): Promoting wellbeing of black, minority, and ethnic communities
  • Quaker Social Action
  • Spring Bank Community Centre
  • Sight Support

Application Timing Strategy

  • Submit applications well in advance of the April deadline (for May meeting) or October deadline (for November meeting)
  • For urgent needs under £2,000, clearly indicate time-sensitivity in application
  • Remember the two-year rule when planning repeat applications

Key Success Indicators

  • Clear demonstration of benefit to Hull/East Yorkshire communities or Quaker causes
  • Well-documented financial need with supporting accounts
  • Practical, achievable project plans
  • Alignment with charity's broad interpretation of charitable purposes
  • For repeat applicants: evidence of successful use of previous funding

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic or values alignment is essential: Your organization must be associated with Hull and East Yorkshire OR connected to the Society of Friends (Quakers) - clearly demonstrate this connection in your application.
  • Plan for the long decision timeline: With only two funding rounds per year (May and November) and applications due a month in advance, you may wait up to 6 months for a decision. Apply early and plan cash flow accordingly.
  • Unrestricted funding is the norm: The charity prefers to give unrestricted grants, so while you should explain your funding needs, demonstrate that you have the organizational capacity and judgment to use funds effectively at your discretion.
  • The two-year rule is firm: You cannot reapply within two years of a previous application (successful or unsuccessful) except in emergencies. Make each application count and request appropriate funding levels.
  • Think broadly about eligible costs: The charity funds start-up costs, core costs, equipment, building improvements, training, and project development - don't limit yourself to project-specific funding requests.
  • For urgent needs, highlight time-sensitivity: Grants up to £2,000 can be approved within weeks if urgency is clearly demonstrated, bypassing the twice-yearly meeting schedule.
  • Build on the charity's history: The Reckitt family and Quaker trustees value their century-long legacy of supporting good causes - reference the charity's mission and values in your application to show alignment with their founding principles.

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References