Introduction
The Main Grants Programme offers grants ranging from below £5,000 to in excess of £1million and the Foundation continues to maintain a balance between supporting large-scale projects, with far-reaching effects, and small-scale community endeavours. All grants are awarded at a meeting of the Trustees, held twice a year. As there is no fixed schedule for these meetings, applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Whilst the Foundation does occasionally make donations to the health and social care sectors, it should be noted that the majority of its support is directed towards the cultural sector, and in particular to cultural learning and to musuem, gallery, heritage and performing arts learning spaces. Support for enhancing Jewish life is largely directed towards the new Jewish Community Centre for London.
Please note that organisations must be registered charities to be eligible for the Main Grants Programme.
Who can apply?
Registered charities with interests in the sectors listed above are welcome to apply to the Main Grants Programme. The Programme can match lottery funding, support capital redevelopments and learning space initiatives, and provide project, programme and revenue funding.
Unfortunately, the Foundation does not fund projects retrospectively and will not support applications from the following:
- Individuals
- General appeals and circulars
It should also be noted that the following are funded only very rarely:
- Projects outside the UK
- Staff posts
- Local branches of national charities
- Academic or project research
- Conference costs
Please also read the Frequently Asked Questions before submitting your application.
Applicants for learning space initiatives must read the additional guidance here.
To apply
There is no application form for your initial approach to the Foundation.
If your project falls within the Foundation's areas of interest, please send a letter of application. This letter should be no longer than two sides of A4 paper and must be written on your organisation's headed paper with your contact details and charity number clearly displayed. The letter should include the following information:
- A brief overview of the work of your organisation
- A concise account of the project you are seeking funding for
- A clear statement of the sum you are seeking from the Foundation and the total cost of the project
- No annual accounts or additional information should be included at this stage
Please note that the Foundation will only be able to respond to your application if you enclose a standard-sized (DL), stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Timing and Procedures
- There is no deadline for the Main Grants Programme and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You should receive a response from the Foundation within four weeks of contacting us if you have included a self-addressed envelope.
- All letters of application will be reviewed by the Foundation's staff in the first instance, and then by the Trustees
- If the Foundation decides to progress your application to the next stage (i.e. a meeting of the Trustees), you will be asked to submit a full proposal, for which guidance will be provided
- Trustees meetings are typically held twice a year in June and November. Successful and unsuccessful applicants are usually contacted in writing within two weeks of the meeting
- Please do not send applications by recorded delivery as the Foundation is not able to guarantee that a member of staff will be on site to receive them
- Email applications will not be accepted.