Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust

The Trust funds work across five stated priorities: money in politics, voter participation and election systems reform, political rights including freedom of expression and protest, tackling disinformation, and upholding checks and balances. It supports research, project delivery, core costs, and salaries, and offers multi-year grants. Funding is available for UK-wide initiatives, with a focus on those that have clear national impact. The Trust prioritises systemic democratic reform over local or remedial activities, and is open to supporting campaigning and advocacy that may be considered politically contentious.

Eligible organisations include registered charities, social enterprises, community interest companies, and unincorporated associations. The Trust does not fund individuals, but individual campaigners or researchers may apply if they have a host organisation. It prioritises initiatives with national impact, so local campaign groups without clear national reach are unlikely to be supported. Organisations based outside the UK may apply only if the focus of the work is wholly within the UK and satisfactory due diligence can be conducted. There is no religious restriction on applicants.

The Trust does not fund work that has already taken place, legal fees or costs, personal support for individuals in need, educational bursaries, or general appeals. It also excludes individual campaigners or researchers without a host organisation, and local campaign groups without clear national impact. Organisations based outside the UK are not supported unless the focus is wholly within the UK and due diligence can be completed.

The Trust provides funding for research, project delivery, core costs, and salaries, and offers multi-year grants. It welcomes unsolicited applications, and its approach is characterised by a willingness to support politically contentious campaigning that may not be eligible for funding from other sources. The Trust focuses on systemic democratic reform rather than service delivery, and works in partnership with organisations that share its commitment to strengthening UK democracy.