JRCT: Sustainable Future Grant Program

JRCT: Sustainable Future Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
Last Updated: November 05, 2025

Summary

The JRCT Sustainable Future Grant Program aims to support innovative projects addressing climate change and social injustice. It prioritizes funding for organizations that tackle root causes of conflict, promote sustainable practices, and amplify marginalized voices. The trust is particularly interested in proposals that foster community power, challenge economic inequalities, and develop alternative models to consumerism. With a focus on long-term impact, JRCT encourages grassroots initiatives that engage diverse communities in creating systemic change.

Overview

NOTE: Account registration deadline refers to pre-proposal deadline above. Please see separate grant pages for Power and Accountability and Peace and Security. About Us The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) is an independent Quaker trust which makes grants to organisations and individuals working to produce positive social change through their charitable work. This support is provided, primarily, through funding applied for by applicants. Our mission is to support people who address the root causes of conflict and injustice. Joseph Rowntree, the founder of JRCT, believed that you must tackle the roots of a problem to achieve any lasting benefit; treating the “superficial manifestations” of social or economic problems might provide temporary relief but won't create lasting solutions. To create real change which challenges the existing power imbalances in society, JRCT does not shy away from supporting those working on unpopular or contentious issues. We believe in creating dialogue to support change towards a better world. We recognise that change can take many years to achieve. We are willing to take the long view, and to take risks. We try to be flexible enough to respond to the changing needs and demands of our world. Sustainable Future Vision Climate change caused by human activity is threatening the well-being of humanity. The wealthiest countries and individuals are responsible for a disproportionate share of emissions, whilst the poorest countries and sections of society are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Similarly, our use of natural resources is unsustainable and unjust. Technological change is essential but not sufficient; fundamental changes to economic models and social norms will also be required, but there is not yet sufficient public or political consensus to make these changes. From groups and organisations who struggle to obtain funding elsewhere (for example, only one core funder, or no core funding)From those who are actively building power amongst communities- From those with a solid understanding of the causes of the climate and/or economic crisesFrom those with a track record of community organising around climate, economics, or environmentFrom groups and organisations who effectively connect the intersecting harms of climate breakdown, racial injustice, economic inequality and the legacies of colonialismWhich considers the needs and wellbeing of staff, volunteers and other participantsFor which there is  has a demonstrable needWhere it is clearly explained why you are the right organisation or group to carry out this project. Funding Priorities The overall focus is on developing and promoting sustainable, low-carbon alternatives to the current consumerist and growth-based paradigm.  We will support a range of actions to achieve these aims, recognising this might include defending current policies, frameworks and regulations. Better economicsCurrent economic systems encourage unsustainable growth and do not adequately reflect the true costs and risks of resource depletion, climate change and other environmental problems. We will fund work that: explores and promotes ways that well-being and sustainability, rather than traditional forms of economic growth, could be placed at the heart of public policyexplores and promotes mechanisms that could better align business and investor behaviour with environmental sustainability and the long-term public interestresearches and develops innovations and new practical models of enterprise that can be embedded within community practicechallenges future investment in, or subsidies for, fossil fuels. Beyond consumerism There is evidence that the ever higher levels of consumption, once basic needs for security and comfort are met, do not result in greater happiness or well-being. At the same time, such ever-increasing consumption is not environmentally sustainable, and contributes towards social problems including overwork, anxiety and loss of community. We will fund:campaigns, initiatives and mechanisms which encourage radical, large scale shifts in behaviour and culture away from consumerism towards more sustainable ways of living and using resourcesexploration of initiatives and models which promote positive alternatives to materialism for a more fulfilled lifework which engages people individually and collectively in holistic and value-led approaches to transformed behaviour and lifestyle, as an alternative to consumerism. New voicesIn order to create a broad-based, democratic and lasting transition to a low carbon sustainable society, we need to involve everyone. JRCT is particularly concerned that marginalised groups and young activists have a voice in decisions which affect them.We will fund: campaigns and movements that give marginalised or under-represented groups a voice on issues of environmental and economic justiceinitiatives that encourage organisations from outside the traditional environmental field to get involved in environmental justicenetworks that link and support local environmental justice groupsthe replication of innovative local projects to involve New Voices regionally or nationally. JRCT recognises that the issues are worldwide. However, this programme has a UK focus, to take advantage of the body of thought and expertise that already exists here, and in recognition of the UK’s influential global role in maintaining current financial and market systems.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. JRCT is interested in funding work which:is about removing problems through radical solutions, and not simply about making problems easier to live withhas a clear sense of objectives, and of how to achieve themis innovative and imaginativeand where the grant has a good chance of making a difference.Within its areas of interest, the Trust makes grants to a range of organisations and to individuals.If your organisation is a registered, excepted or exempt charity based within any of the four jurisdictions of the UK and all of your work fits within our published programmes, we encourage you to consider applying for unrestricted or core support, although you may apply for programme or project funding if you prefer.If you are based outside the UK and you are registered as a charitable organistion in your local jurisdiction, you may apply for general support if all of your work fits within our published programmes, and the following criteria are also met:your organisation is governed by an unpaid boardyour organisation is not for profityour organisation's formal purposes fall within the list of charitable purposes recognised within English law.For all other organisations or individual applicants, you may apply for a specific project or defined programme of work that would provide public benefit and further our aims as set out in our published policies.

Ineligibility

Due to the limits of our available funding, we are less interested in work:Which already receives significant funding from a range of sources (for example more than one core funder, or over £1 million in annual income)Which is primarily focused on conveningWhich seeks to include the perspectives of marginalised groups without a careful understanding of power and a track record in delivering thisWhich is about superficial changes to consumer behaviour.We cannot fund organisations or work that is party political (eg supporting or opposing a political party) or which is commercial in nature or otherwise intended for private benefit.The Trust will not fund:Organisations:larger, older national charities which have an established constituency of supporters and substantial levels of reservesstatutory bodiesfor-profit organisationsProjects:medical researchacademic research, except as an integral part of policy and campaigning work that is central to our areas of interestbuilding, buying or repairing buildingsbusiness development or job creation schemesservice provision, including providing care, support or training services, such as for elderly people, children and young people, people with learning difficulties, people with physical disabilities, mental health service users, refugees or asylum seekershousing and homelessnessthe arts, except where a project is specifically concerned with issues of interest to the Trust.Individuals:travel or adventure projectseducational bursaries, including graduate and post-graduate studiesthe personal support of individuals in need.Types of funding:general appealswork which we believe should be funded from statutory sources, or which has been in the recent pastwork which has already been undertakenPlace:the Trust funds individuals or groups based in the UK to undertake work at a national level. This means work that seeks to make positive change across the UK as a whole, or across one or more of its member countries - England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Irelandunder some of our programmes, we make a small number of grants for work at a pan-European level, in relation to international institutions, or to replicate or amplify local work in the UK with wider significance. Please see individual grant policies for detailsthe Trust does not fund local or national work anywhere outside the UK.In addition to this the following types of work will not be funded:Conservation projects.Anti-consumerism campaigns which simply exhort people to be less consumerist, rather than encourage behaviour change resulting in sustainable living.Measures that are limited to adapting to the effects of climate change rather than leading to long-term change.Academic research and books, except as an integral part of policy, campaigning work or leading to practical change in enterprises or community action.Local or national work anywhere outside the UK except for the specific circumstances outlined in New Voices.Beyond Consumerism: We understand the problem of consumerism to relate to the links between extracting raw materials from the earth, producing goods using these materials and using advertising to compel or persuade people to consume these. We see the solution to this as a transformation in human behaviour and the structures which shape it. We do not believe that changing patterns of consumption or encouraging people to be ‘better’ consumers will produce the change we need.Local work: In order to ensure our grants have the greatest impact possible, we tend to avoid solely local work. By this we mean, work with a single council or in a single town. We do see merit in work which begins at a local level, covering multiple local areas, and which can produce lessons which can be applied regionally or nationally.