Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust
The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust (JRRT) is a long-standing charitable trust that supports initiatives to strengthen democratic accountability, civil liberties, and political reform in the UK. With a history of backing progressive causes and organisations, JRRT plays a vital role in funding campaigns that champion democratic engagement and challenge systemic injustice.
We were appointed by JRRT to modernise and future-proof their website as part of a broader effort to improve digital visibility and accessibility. Their existing site was outdated, difficult to maintain, and no longer met the needs of applicants, stakeholders, or internal users.
Working closely with the JRRT team, we delivered a modern, user-friendly website on the WordPress CMS, improving both front-end experience and back-end workflows. The new platform provides clear pathways for grant applicants, highlights the Trust’s impact, and supports internal efficiency.
The client’s primary objectives included:
- Improving accessibility and user experience
We redesigned the site with accessibility and clarity in mind, ensuring it was WCAG-compliant and easy to navigate for a wide range of users. Content is now organised around clear user journeys, helping visitors to understand JRRT’s mission, explore funding criteria, and submit applications with confidence. - Streamlining grant application and management processes
We introduced a structured, user-friendly application process integrated into the site, allowing applicants to submit proposals online. Administrators now have tools to manage applications more effectively, supporting smoother internal review and communication workflows. - Strengthening transparency and showcasing impact
The new site enables JRRT to clearly communicate its values and the outcomes of its grant-making. Case studies, funding criteria, and governance information are now presented more consistently, supporting greater trust and engagement with funders, partners, and the public. - Future-proofing content management
With a flexible WordPress CMS, the JRRT team can now manage content in-house with ease, updating pages, publishing news, and adapting application forms without technical support. This autonomy supports ongoing refinement of funding criteria and Trust communications.
User Experience research and design, custom WordPress theme development, and bespoke grant application and management tooling
Throughout the project, we collaborated with JRRT’s staff and governance team to ensure the site aligned with both operational requirements and the Trust’s broader mission. Our iterative approach enabled us to refine features in response to feedback and ensure compliance with accessibility standards and best practices in grant-making transparency.
We placed the grant-seeker journey at the heart of the site architecture, creating a clear and welcoming route for potential applicants, from initial enquiry through to submission. Administrators now benefit from a tailored backend experience, reducing manual effort and improving oversight of funding applications.
The result is a clean, intuitive, and robust platform that reflects JRRT’s position as a principled and forward-looking funder. It is designed to scale with future needs and provides a digital foundation for the Trust’s continued impact on UK democracy.
Project achievements
Since launch, the new JRRT site has delivered measurable benefits:
- Improved accessibility and user journeys for applicants and stakeholders
- Increased engagement with grant-related content and resources
- Reduced administrative overhead for application handling
- Greater transparency around funding criteria, values, and impact
- Enhanced ability for JRRT to manage and update content independently
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