The Rowntree Legacy: The Joseph Rowntree Trusts

The Rowntree trusts – the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF); the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) and the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust (JRRT) – are perhaps Joseph’s greatest legacy and certainly the most visible aspect of his philanthropic activities here in the 21st century.

The Rowntree name as a chocolate and confectionery manufacturer is now starting to fade from public memory but the trusts still continue their work to effect social change. In his Founder’s Memorandum Joseph postulated a longevity of 35 years for the JRCT and JRRT stating that “If the enormous volume of the philanthropy of the present day were wisely directed it would, I believe, in the course of a few years, change the face of England.”

Many things have changed for the better since these words were written in 1904 but there is still work to do and all three Trusts continue their mission and take their inspiration from Joseph Rowntree.