RTPI Trust

The Trust’s work has been funded through the generosity of RTPI members throughout its 40 year history. Their donations and bequests have been applied to further the Trust’s aims and charitable purposes.

It is our hope that RTPI members will continue to support their fellow members by making donations to the Trust, enabling the Trust to support future generations of town planners. All donations are gratefully received and greatly appreciated.

If you would like to make a one-off donation to fund the Trust’s work, please consider doing so through Gift Aid by completing this form.

Or you can donate directly by way of a bank transfer. The Trust's bank account details can be found here. 

If you would like to discuss an ongoing or larger donation or the possibility of leaving a legacy to the Trust in your will, please contact [email protected] who can put you in touch with the Trustees.

Donations refund policy

Donations to the RTPI Trust are only refunded if the donor can demonstrate that the donation was made in error or if a refund has been agreed by the RTPI Trust after an appeal.

• Any current member of the Royal Town Planning Institute who has been in membership for more than 12 weeks
• The spouse, partner or dependent of a current member
• The spouse, partner or dependent of a deceased member who was in membership at the date of their death

The Trust is able to help members of their families with financial support when they suffer a temporary period of difficulty with financial commitments due to an unforeseen or sudden change in their circumstances or personal situation. Support will be one-off and offer helps to cover the cost of specific items like childcare costs, a training course, technical equipment or household items.

Members are asked to read through the Trust's guidelines for making financial hardship grants for applicants first. Please click here to read.

Members seeking financial assistance are then asked to complete an application form providing details of the amount of grant they seek, their current financial circumstances (which may be due to disability, ill health, redundancy or other factors) and the benefits that the receipt of a grant would provide.

Trustees may ask applicants for provide further information regarding specific parts of their application for clarity or to verify information. In some case the Trust may ask applicants for permission to contact applicants directly as part of due diligence. The privacy of the applicant is respected at all times and information about decisions will be treated in the strictest confidence.

The financial assistance provided by the Trust is discretionary and decisions are made by the independent Trustees. Applications are considered carefully by the Trustees using agreed guidelines, who aim to reach a decision on applications as quickly as possible.

Financial hardship grants will not given for student debt, personal or business debt, business related costs or legal costs.

The Trust can provide one-off bursaries of £2,000 for student members at RTPI accredited planning schools who meet the eligibility criteria for each bursary.

• Undergraduates at RTPI Planning Schools in London can apply for the Michael Welbank Scholarship.
• Students attending RTPI Planning Schools in the UK and Ireland, outside of London, can apply for an RTPI Trust Undergraduate Bursary