# Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) ## Basic Info **Name:** Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) **What is it:** British social change organization working to solve poverty in the UK.​ Founded in 1904 by Joseph Rowntree, a Quaker philanthropist, to investigate and address the root causes of poverty and social injustice in the UK. JRF conducts and funds research, influences policy, and works in partnership with other organizations to create a prosperous UK without poverty. Focus areas include housing, income and benefits, work, and social security. **Who is involved:** Paul Kissack (Group Chief Executive) **Location:** York, London and Glasgow **Link:** https://www.jrf.org.uk --- ## Entries **[[2025-04-26]]**: JRF is associated with other entities that share historical roots in Joseph Rowntree’s philanthropic efforts but have distinct purposes today. - The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) is a registered housing association and social care provider that works closely with JRF to put research into practice, particularly in the areas of housing and community development. JRHT owns and manages land and housing and operates as a housing association (rather than a traditional [[Community Land Trust]]); it directly develops, rents and maintains affordable housing and provides social care services ( instead of just managing land separately from property ownership, as traditional land trusts do). - The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) is a completely separate organization, functioning as a [[Quakers (Religious Society of Friends)|quaker]] grant-making trust that funds work addressing the root causes of conflict and injustice. It is not operationally linked to JRF and focuses on broader international human rights and social justice issues. - The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust (JRRT) promotes democratic reform and civil liberties within the UK. Unlike the others, JRRT is not a charity and can therefore fund political advocacy and campaigning, which charities under UK law cannot do.