The trustees give support to a wide range of charitable causes. However, in accordance with the wishes of the founder, they give some priority to purposes connected with the Society of Friends (Quakers) and to purposes connected with the city of Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Beyond those two priority areas, the trustees will consider support for national and regional charities, particularly those concerned with current social issues and whose work extends to the Hull and East Yorkshire areas.

Like most other grant makers, the trustees of the Sir James Reckitt Charity prefer to make grants to registered charities. Grants may be made to local non-registered organisations provided they are known to the local Council for Voluntary Service through whom grants may be channelled.

Grants to individuals are very occasionally made depending on the circumstances. Appeals from individual Quakers need the support of their local Monthly Meeting. Appeals from other individuals are normally only considered from residents of Hull or the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Trustees will not normally make grants to support activities for which central or local government are responsible. Neither are they likely to support activities which collect funds to be passed on to other organisations, charities or individuals.

International causes are considered only in exceptional circumstances, such as major disasters, with support usually being channelled through the Society of Friends or the British Red Cross Society.