Project Funding
The Johnson & Mukherjee Brothers Charitable Trust provides funding to help schools create enriching opportunities that go beyond the core curriculum.
Supporting inspiring projects in schools
We are particularly interested in projects that enhance the learning experience of children while also benefiting the wider school community. Successful projects often bring together pupils, teachers, families, and local communities, helping schools become even stronger centres of learning and connection.
Our aim is to support ideas that inspire curiosity, creativity, and wellbeing – especially where funding from local authorities or other sources is limited or unavailable.
Applications are usually welcomed from primary schools in Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire, reflecting the historic focus of the Trust.
What we support
The Trust welcomes applications from schools for projects that:
Enrich pupils’ learning experiences beyond the standard curriculum
Encourage creativity, curiosity, and wellbeing
Involve pupils in planning or shaping the project where possible
Strengthen connections between the school and its wider community
Provide opportunities that may not otherwise be possible through existing school budgets
Examples of projects we have supported include sensory spaces, reading initiatives, creative arts projects, outdoor learning environments, and wellbeing activities.
What we do not fund
The Trust generally does not support capital expenditure projects such as:
Building extensions
Structural refurbishments
Major building works
IT Equipment
Curriculum-related items
Furniture
Instead, we aim to support initiatives that schools would otherwise need to fund from their own resources and that do not receive financial support from the local authority or other statutory funding streams. Examples include:
Sensory or wellbeing resources
Books for reading libraries
Resources for outdoor classrooms
STEAM equipment
Creative arts and science resources
If you are unsure whether your project is suitable, you are welcome to contact the Trustees for guidance before applying.
How to apply for a grant
We aim to keep the application process simple. There is no need to prepare a lengthy proposal — our online application form will guide you on what we need but so you know, applications should include:
Confirmation that the school is happy to provide brief progress updates every six months
There is no need to seek pre-approval from the Trustees before applying, although you are welcome to contact us if you would like to discuss your idea.
What happens next
Once your application has been submitted, the Trust Secretary will arrange for it to be considered at the next meeting of Trustees, which usually takes place twice a year in May and November.
After the meeting, the Secretary will write to your school to confirm the Trustees’ decision. If your application is successful, the letter will also include:
The amount of funding approved
Details of the Trust Treasurer
Instructions on how to submit a claim for payment
Schools can then submit claims up to the agreed funding level.
Payments are normally made to the school’s account, either by cheque or bank transfer, once the Treasurer has received details of the expenditure. We aim to keep the process as simple as possible and minimise paperwork wherever we can.
Schools may submit separate claims during the year if this helps manage project costs and school cash flow. Supporting invoices or receipts should be provided where available.
Level of funding available
Funding levels vary depending on the nature and scale of the project.
In previous years, the Trust has typically awarded between £1,000 and £4,000 per year for individual projects, with overall support usually capped at around £15,000 over the life of a project.
Each application is considered individually, and the Trustees aim to support projects where the funding can make a meaningful and lasting difference for pupils.
Create an account to start your application online.
Thinking of applying for funding for your project?
Annual deadlines for project applications to be considered by the Trust are the end of May and the end of October.