Rowlands Trust

The Trust funds a broad range of causes, including health, disability support, poverty relief, arts, culture, heritage, science, environmental conservation, children and young people, and elderly care. Within this, it prioritises capital investments in education, music and the arts, environmental efforts, and the restoration or re-ordering of church buildings for community use. Geographically, the Trust concentrates on the West Midlands and South Midlands, with a particular focus on Birmingham City and the surrounding counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. It seeks projects with measurable, lasting community benefits and often asks applicants to provide examples or case studies of previous impact.

Eligibility is open to registered charities and community groups operating within the Trust’s geographic focus, with a preference for small to medium-sized organisations. The Trust prioritises work benefiting people who are disadvantaged through education, health, finance, or disability, as well as support for the armed services, children and young people, and older people. There is no religious restriction on applicants. While the Trust is keen to help grassroots groups, it looks for evidence of clear, lasting change and may ask for case studies or examples demonstrating past impact.

The Trust is a capital-only funder, so it does not support revenue costs such as salaries, rent, or general running expenses. It does not fund individuals; applications are accepted only from organisations. Projects that are unlikely to show sustained community benefit may not fit the Trust’s priorities.

The Trust makes capital grants and favours initiatives with measurable, perpetual community benefits. It welcomes unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Its funding style is focused on projects that will deliver long-term outcomes, often asking applicants to demonstrate their track record through examples or case studies.