Jerwood charity merger offers ‘streamlined’ funding process

The boards of Jerwood Foundation and Jerwood Charity are set to be combined from 1 January 2024 following completion of formalities to merge the two organisations.

The foundation, which has been supporting the arts since 1977, endowed Jerwood Charity with a fund of £25m in 1999. The merger creates a single UK charitable foundation to ensure “a sustainable future with maximum impact for beneficiaries”.

The rationalised charity aims to support excellence and emerging talent in UK arts and crafts, with up to £2m of grants awarded each year. Applications for the first round of grants will need to be submitted before 1 March 2024 and will be awarded in April 2024. 

Rupert Tyler, formerly Chairman of Jerwood Charity, has been appointed Chairman of the merged Jerwood boards. Meanwhile, Lara Wardle, Executive Director of Jerwood Foundation, leads the organisation and management.

Alan Grieve CBE, Chairman of Jerwood Foundation for the last 30 years, remains a Trustee of Jerwood Foundation and Chairman Emeritus.

Wardle said: “We hope that our new streamlined, easy-to-understand application process will enable us to distribute funds effectively for maximum impact, fulfilling John Jerwood’s original philanthropic vision to support excellence and emerging talent in the UK.”