- plangran@fsjtrust.org.uk
- 01245 809899
Fowler Smith and Jones Trust:
supporting charities in Essex
The Trustees meet three times a year, to consider the applications being put forward. The meetings take place in February, May and September.
2026 UPDATE
FSJ Charities
Trusts
FSJ incorporates three Trusts established at different times by the Fowler Family, Albert & Florence Smith and Edward Cecil Jones. They were all very much ‘Essex people’ and lived in the South-East of the county. The Trust now makes awards throughout the county.
The Trust distributes, on average, £400-500,000 annually to between 120-150 organisations principally for projects within the county. As with many funds, the recent economic climate has reduced the value of the fund, but judicious investment has enabled the Trust to maintain its income.
Meetings & Applications
The Trustees meet three times a year, to consider the applications being put forward. The meetings take place in February, May and September.
At our May 2026 Trustees meeting, we awarded grants to nearly 60 applicants.
Very often we find an application falls across two or more categories. In these cases the Grant Administrators evaluate each application, before allocating them to whichever category they feel is more suitable. Allocation of funds is not restricted by the chosen category heading.
Our next Trustees meeting is scheduled for September 2026. The deadline for applications is Friday 7th August.
Applications are divided into the following categories:
- Arts
- Churches
- Community
- Medical
- Miscellaneous
- Youth
The Trust does not fund:
- Individuals
- Political activities
- Festivals
- Animal charities
- Commercial ventures
- Parish Councils
Direct replacement of statutory funding or activities that are primarily the responsibility of local or central government are not considered to be qualifying areas for awards by the Trustees. The Trust provides grants to institutions which are in the main UK based charities, and whose objectives comply with the Trust’s criteria. It is noted that the recipients themselves are thus regulated to ensure they operate for the public benefit.
Very occasionally, larger Capital grants may be considered. These require in-depth discussion prior to any formal application. Any potential project will require a visit from the Administrator.
Get Started
Applications
There is no formal Application Form, as the Trustees acknowledge every request to be unique.
If you wish to apply, please use the bullet points below for guidance as to the information required for assessment and possible consideration by the Trustees.
If you have received a grant from us before, please allow at least 12 months before reapplying – which in view of how our meetings fall, in effect means approximately a 16 month gap. If you have been lucky enough to receive three consecutive grants, we ask that you refrain from applying for two years to give uis the opportunity to support other organisations.
- A brief description of the organisation involved (no more than 2 pages A4), including staff / volunteer numbers.
- An outline of the project / or the needs identified (including core funding, if required).
- An outline of the total costing of the project, with an indication of size of grant applied for. (Average grant awarded £2-3,000).
- A copy of your latest accounts, including a current summary of your fundraising.
- An indication of any wider community use and an indication of those who might benefit from being involved with the project.
- If your application is successful, the Trustees expect a brief evaluation report to follow within 12 months, giving an indication of the benefit derived from the grant.
- Please confirm if you have a bank account in the name of the charity, with the correct Payee name. If not, please tell us how the funds are managed, and by whom.
- Please confirm whether 2 or more signatories are needed when paying out cheques; and if not, what expenditure controls are in place.
- We will need contact details for our records. These should include a postal address, an email address and a telephone contact number.
We are in the office 2 days a week, and will respond to any message when next in the office.
Tel: 01245 809899
3rd Floor, Marlborough House,
Victoria Rd. South, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1LN
Grants
Charities and Not for Profit groups within Essex
The great majority of funding is applied to projects and groups within Essex: either directly or through national charities for specific Essex-based projects. Each application is considered by the Trustees collectively, and if approved, an appropriate donation is determined.
The Grants Administrators may arrange to visit potential recipients before or after any grant is awarded in order to establish any anticipated benefit, or to monitor its outcome.
The Trust does not award annual grants. At least 12 months must elapse before further applications may be made.
Applications for core funding, project-based initiatives, refurbishment of premises and also equipment costs may all be considered for awards.
The allocation of grants between the category headings varies from year to year. The Trustees have referred to the guidance by the Charity Commission on public benefit when reviewing the aims and objectives of the Trust, and setting the grant making policy annually.
Meet Our Staff
Our Trustees & Staff
Philip Tolhurst (Chair)
Nicholas Charrington
Richard Furlonger
Lucy Bettley
Grant Administrators
Penny Langran
Caroline Marsh
Examples
Case Studies
“
One Community
“We find FSJ Trust to be supportive and caring beyond giving out grants to good causes. They embrace our ethos and values, and have gone the extra mile by visiting us at our premises to get a better understanding of what we do. We owe a depth of gratitude to the Trust for their swift action during the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure we did not suffer adverse financial hardship. Since being introduced to them in 2017 by Inkinddirect, they have proven to be one of our most consistent and reliable cheer leaders. They have awarded grants to help run our Headstart to Employment Project and to give capacity to our organisation by paying for a Business Admin Apprentice. They have given us a reference that has assisted us to get other funding, as well as introduced us to The Country Food Trust who supported our local Foodbank with quality produce. We are proud to be associated with FSJ Trust, as they do show that they genuinely care about the lives of residents in the diverse community that we serve here in Thurrock”.
HARP
We are so grateful to Fowler Smith and Jones for their generosity over the years. With their continued support we are able to be there for the vulnerable people in and around Southend enabling them to overcome homelessness for good.
St Clare Hospice
Fowler Smith and Jones Trust have been truly wonderful and committed supporters of our work at St Clare Hospice. Over the last 13 years, their generous donations have helped ensure our ability to provide ‘outstanding’ care, as recognised by the Care Quality Commission, benefiting residents right across West Essex. Despite the significant obstacles of the COVID-19 pandemic, FSJ’s continual loyalty and dedication to our work has allowed us to adapt and even expand our services, so that we could meet the growing need for our services.
From all the staff, volunteers, patients and families, thank you FSJ!
Lads Need Dads
Fowler Smith and Jones (FSJ) have been a consistent source of funding support since the inception of Lads Need Dads in 2015. From day one FSJ saw the potential in Lads Need Dads and what we were trying to achieve with our critical work, mentoring boys lacking a father figure. The FSJ team are approachable, friendly, and down to earth and share the same passion and concern for the work with vulnerable groups in our society, as we do. I have nothing but praise and gratitude for Fowler Smith and Jones’ continued support and encouragement to Lads Need Dads. Thank you FSJ!
Sonia Shaljean – Founder and Managing Director
Buffy Playbus
On behalf of our organisation we are very grateful to the Fowler Smith and Jones Trust for the financial support that they have given us over a number of years. As a small charity based in North West Essex we have felt that you have always been approachable and have a considerable understanding of the difficulties that we have faced due to the rural nature of Uttlesford.
Through the many conversations that I have had with Alix, I have always felt encouraged by her enthusiasm and ability to inspire confidence which in turn has allowed us to be more assured in our approach to other fund givers.
Open Road
Open Road is really proud that the Fowler Smith and Jones Trust champions our work with grant funding, and has done for many years. One project they support are our SOS Bus services. These buses, which are manned by dedicated volunteers, are based in Colchester and Chelmsford. The buses offering safe havens to vulnerable people every weekend night until early morning. Without the Trust’s generous funding support, the bus volunteers could not provide the vital help that they do.
Sarah Wright – Chief Executive
Kids Inspire
I would like to thank you again for your support; you were one of the first funders to come to our aid when all fundraising was lost and we cannot thank you enough.
You have enabled us to provide children and young people with consistent support, which has been so important in a year filled with uncertainty and disruption.
Get in Touch
Tel: 01245 809899
3rd Floor, Marlborough House,
Victoria Rd. South, Chelmsford,
Essex CM1 1LN
01245 809899
About Us
The Trustees meet three times a year, to consider the applications being put forward. The meetings take place in February, May and September.
Registered Charity Number 1132249
Our Address
3rd Floor, Marlborough House,
Victoria Rd. South, Chelmsford,
Essex CM1 1LN
Contact Us
01245 809899
plangran@fsjtrust.org.uk
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