Jack Brunton Charitable Trust

The Jack Brunton Charitable Trust, established in 1986 by fifth-generation Yorkshire farmer Jack Brunton, is dedicated to sustaining rural life in the old North Riding of Yorkshire—now northern parts of North Yorkshire—by supporting villages, towns, and communities where public resources are scarce. Rooted in Brunton's passion for farming, conservation, and community, the trust embodies values of stewardship, local resilience, and practical enhancements to rural wellbeing, agriculture, social welfare, and cohesion through quarterly trustee decisions.

It funds projects preserving rural assets, including health services (e.g., air ambulances, community transport), education, welfare, inclusion, youth clubs, countryside skills, environmental initiatives like tree planting, village improvements, religious building preservation, agricultural societies, and efforts tackling youth homelessness or social isolation. Grants target enduring, hyper-local impacts via established UK-registered charities and community groups delivering capital (equipment, refurbishments) or revenue support for activities, with a focus on grassroots solutions demonstrating tangible benefits.

Eligible applicants are small to medium-sized voluntary organisations with proven local ties and no strict income limits, but funding is strictly limited to the old North Riding except in rare cases; individuals and unrestricted core funding are excluded. Typical grants range from £1,000–£3,000 (around £2,000 average), exceptionally up to £7,500. Unsolicited applications are welcomed via post with a cover letter and downloadable form from the website; submit by the 21st of the month before quarterly meetings (February, May, August, November) for consideration, with decisions in 6–10 weeks and grants publicised online. Its distinctive hyper-local rural focus, farming heritage, and preference for evidence-led, place-based change set it apart for charities addressing acute Yorkshire countryside needs.