When Joseph Rowntree started his Charitable Trust a hundred years ago, he envisaged a world of greater justice and peace. We took the occasion of this centenary to search for people to carry the vision forward. We believe that our reward will be a world made better by their visions.

The application process has now closed and we have appointed our Visionaries.

This was a programme to mark our centenary and we will not be repeating it in the near future. Well, maybe in another 100 years ?!

Joseph Rowntree; JRCT; Values; Quakers

Joseph Rowntree

Joseph Rowntree was apprenticed to his father when he was 15 and he finally retired from business when he was 86. In the course of 71 working years, he saw the world turn away from the idea of paternalism towards the concept of industrial democracy. He played a significant part in this process.

The Rowntree business, dealing mainly in cocoa and chocolate, was a successful one, under Joseph's leadership. From a little factory staffed by twelve men, the business expanded in 55 years under Joseph's guidance, to a concern employing over 7000 people. He was imaginative, far-sighted and a pioneer on social issues.

The Quaker tradition played an important part in Joseph's life and work, providing him with the values and beliefs that were central to his way of working.

Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust

When the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust was set up in 1904, it was a family affair, the trustees comprising the founder and 5 relatives. The JRCT has flourished within the wider family of the Religious Society of Friends. Although it has no constitutional link to the Society, it draws its trustees and senior staff from within the membership of the Society.

Many organisations have started through the Trust's support that have gone on to effect major changes in society. For example, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), Child Poverty Action Group, the Low Pay Unit, Public Concern at Work and the Runnymede Trust.

For more information on the JRCT:- http://www.jrct.org.uk/ 

Values

The purpose that has guided the Trust's work over the last 100 years has been that of creating a more just and more peaceful society. Over the years, a wide range of work has been supported and is underpinned by those concerns for truth and integrity, justice and equality, peace and conflict resolution which Quakers hold dear.

The Trust's core values reflect those of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). The following describes some of the underlying values behind the Trust's support of organisations and individuals.

• Trying to discern those "who are effectively doing the work that needs to be done" (putting a high value on the change that can be wrought through the inspiration of individuals as well as through organisations)
• Addressing causes not symptoms (Joseph Rowntree referred to the importance of addressing and attacking the "underlying causes of weakness and evil in the community rather than remedying their more superficial manifestations" Founding Memorandum 1904)
• Pursuing and promoting non-violence in all its forms ("We utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fightings with outward weapons, for any end or under any pretence whatever" Religious Society of Friends 1661)
• Valuing diversity (the diversity of the human spirit which is likely to be expressed in differences of style etc)
• Taking risks - recognising that risking failure is necessary to achieve outstanding success
• Recognising that how things are done is often as important as what is done
• Holding ourselves open to the guidance of the spirit (in secular terms, this could be termed as being a 'learning organisation')
• Using the power of the Trust funds in ways that do not undermine the responsibility or accountability of others
• Avoiding change for its own sake (recognising that much change is not beneficial to society)
• Being bold - recognising that the Trust's position requires us to take decisions with which others will disagree
• Ensuring equality of opportunity - in all dealings with people
• Trying to be humble - recognising that it may be possible to be mistaken

Characteristically, work funded 

• is about removing problems through radical solutions, and not about making the problems easier to live with.
• has a clear sense of objectives, and of how to achieve them.
• is innovative and imaginative.
• has a good chance of making a difference. 

We try to maintain an adventurous approach to funding

The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

Quakers believe that there is 'that of God in everyone'. This means that Quakers believe in a society in which everyone is treated justly, all are valued and live in peace.

Joseph Rowntree was a Quaker as are the Trustees and senior staff of the Trust to this day. The Trust operates through Quaker values but actively seeks to support worthwhile work from and within all faith communities and from those outside such communities.

For more information on Quakers http://www.quaker.org.uk/