FAQ

On this page:

1. How does the Trust decide whom to benefit?
2. Who can apply?
3. What is the closing date for applications?
4. What do I have to put in my application?
5. Where do I send my application?
6. Will you let me know if my application has been received?
7. What are my chances of success?
8. How will I know if I’ve been successful?
9. Would the trustees like to be invited to fundraising or other events?
10. Who deals with matters relating to JRR Tolkien's literary works, contracts and permissions?

1. How does the Trust decide whom to benefit?

The Trust is wholly discretionary, which means that in almost all cases the trustees make their decisions about whom to benefit on the basis of their own knowledge of charities operating in areas of interest to them. They do not publish policies or  guidelines governing how they make their decisions.

The Trust is not a funding body and so does not invite applications for financial support from charities. It does, however, consider the applications which charitable organisations send to it. These are collected together and reviewed by the trustees once a year, in advance of making their annual decisions about donations.

2. Who can apply?

The Trust is not able to give to individuals.

3. What is the closing date for applications?

The Trust makes its decisions about donations annually at the end of March/beginning of April. Any applications should be timed to reach the Trust by no later than 15 December in the preceding year.

4. What do I have to put in my application?

The Trust does not publish guidelines on the content of applications. It is left to the discretion of applicants how they feel they can best present their case for support.

5. Where do I send my application?

Applicants are asked to make their applications in writing and to send them by post to the Trust: see the Contacting The Tolkien Trust page for further information. Applicants are asked not to e-mail or telephone. Given the large volume of applications the Trust receives, it is not practical or cost-efficient to deal with enquiries in this way. Like all charities, the Trust needs to do all it can to keep its administrative costs to a minimum, so as to maximise what is available to give to the causes it supports.

Applicants are asked not to make applications to the trustees personally, or to contact them at their home addresses. None of the trustees has secretarial or administrative support at home and none is therefore able to deal personally with applications or enquiries.

6. Will you let me know if my application has been received?

Applications to the Trust are not acknowledged; the volume is too great for this to be practicable.

7. What are my chances of success?

Because the Trust is wholly discretionary, it is not possible to give applicants a view on whether a particular application is likely to be successful or not. The Trust's representatives are not trustees, so can express no view.

8. How will I know if I’ve been successful?

In order to keep administrative costs to a minimum, the Trust does not notify applicants who have been unsuccessful or enter into correspondence with applicants. If applicants have not heard from the Trust by 15 April in response to an application made in the previous year, however, they can assume that they have been unsuccessful.

9. Would the trustees like to be invited to fundraising or other events?

Whilst the trustees are interested to hear of events that are organised by beneficiaries of the Trust, it should be assumed that trustees will not attend such events, unless notification is received to the contrary. In order to avoid administrative costs, invitations requiring a response will therefore not receive one unless a trustee is proposing to attend. Invitations and information about events should be sent to The Tolkien Trust contact address.

10. Who deals with matters relating to J R R Tolkien's literary works, contracts and permissions?

The Trust cannot provide any information about these matters. Questions relating to J R R Tolkien’s literary works, the Tolkien copyrights and to trade marks and licences, contracts or other business matters, are dealt with by the Tolkien Estate and its publishers, HarperCollins.

See also Applications for further information.

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