In October 1999 the Irish Christian Brothers decided in principle to establish a new lay trust, the Edmund Rice Schools Trust. In June 2008 it assumed trusteeship responsibility for almost one hundred schools. This study had six research aims. Firstly, this study examined the original charism or visionary commitment of Edmund Rice (1762-1844). The second aim was to trace the historical development of this charism through three phases of unequal duration, the founding phase, the congregational phase and the trust phase. The third aim was to evaluate issues of concern that arose during development of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust Charter. This is a key foundation document that defines the founding inspiration of the new lay entity. Fourthly, this study analysed the planning processes for the Edmund Rice Schools Trust. A fifth research aim was to evaluate how the commitment at the heart of Rice’s original vision fares in practice in those schools that participate in the Delivering Equality in Schools (DEIS) scheme. The final research aim was to explore possibilities for a more promising future for Rice’s mission in 21st century Ireland. Preparations for this transfer are conceptualised in three dimensions, the religious – spiritual dimension, the formation or professional development dimension and the institutional–financial dimension. The successful aspects of the transfer in each of these dimensions were appraised, a number of concerns raised and shortfalls identified. Employing archival research and conducting interviews with key figures the study concluded that the challenges involved in the transfer were underestimated. This has resulted in fundamental structural issues that call into question the capacity of the trust to have a vibrant future, not the least of which is the recurring diminution of a commitment to the poor, a commitment that was at the heart of Edmund Rice’s educational mission.