The endowment that created the three Rowntree trusts came in the form of Rowntree & Co. Ltd shares, which created a unique relationship between a company and trusts focussed on social reform. Up until 1969 when Rowntrees merged with Mackintosh, the trusts were majority shareholders in the confectionery company. There was also strong Rowntree family involvement in the governance of the Trusts through to the 1990s when Michael Rowntree (great-nephew of Joseph) stepped down from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.