Joseph Rowntree (philanthropist) Joseph Rowntree (philanthropist) Joseph Rowntree (24 May 1836 – 24 February 1925) was an English Quaker philanthropist and businessman from York. Rowntree is perhaps best known for being a champion of social reform, partner and friend of Charles Booth, and his time as a chocolatier at family business "Rowntree's", one of the most important in Britain. Even as a powerful businessman, he was deeply interested in improving the quality of life of his employees; this led to him becoming a philanthropist, pursuing many charitable causes. In 1904 he created three trusts, the Joseph Rowntree Village Trust (JRVT) which was originally
Social Investment Business investment to support community enterprises with loans, grants and support. After obtaining charitable status and taking on the management of several high profile funds the Social Investment Business Group was formed in 2009. Social Investment Business is the trading name for the Social Investment Business Foundation, Social Investment Business Limited and Futurebuilders-England Limited. Together these organisations represent the SIB Group. Social Investment Business Social Investment Business (SIB) is a UK registered charity and trading company that offers loans, grants and other financial products to charities and social enterprises. SIB manages one of the largest social investment portfolios in the UK.