Barzilai Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
• Founded: 2022
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: £5,000+ (varies by programme)
• Geographic Focus: UK, Gibraltar, United States, India, Morocco
• Application Process: Partnership-based (no public application process for organisational funding); direct applications available for some scholarship programmes

Contact Details

Website: https://barzilaifoundation.org

Email: info@barzilaifoundation.org

Location: Gibraltar

Overview

Founded in 2022, the Barzilai Foundation is a Gibraltar-based philanthropic trust that supports individuals and families dealing with difficult life challenges beyond their control. Led by CEO Brandon Sosa with principal benefactor David Barzilai, the foundation operates internationally with a primary focus on the UK and Gibraltar, alongside initiatives in the United States, India, and Morocco. The foundation's approach is distinctive: support is “active, customised and temporary” with the aim to help people overcome challenges and excel beyond. Since inception, the foundation has funded grants, awarded scholarships and bursaries, provided access to healthcare, and worked with multiple community partners across several countries. The foundation is structured as a trust with Phenix Philanthropic Limited (Gibraltar company number 125358) serving as trustee, with trustees including Peter Montegriffo and Graham Olivero.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation operates through four main programme areas:

Barzilai Grants (Partnership-based)

• Hardship Grants: Provide “just in time support for critical life moments” including essential home needs, food insecurity, and new employment costs
• Exceptional Needs Grants: Address larger, more complex challenges to either remove obstacles reducing long-term potential, allow individuals to maintain a standard of living, or help families avoid long-term debilitating financial arrangements

Education Programmes (Direct scholarships/bursaries and partnerships)

• Undergraduate Studies Bursaries: Up to £5,000 each (eight bursaries awarded in collaboration with EV Foundation for students from low-income households studying abroad)
• University Scholarships: Full tuition coverage at University of Gibraltar (nursing, maritime science, environmental science) and University of Wisconsin-Madison (for adult learners facing significant life challenges); renewable annually with satisfactory academic progress
• Access to Healthcare Bursary: Support for students with financial need enrolled in Access to Healthcare courses at University of Gibraltar (provides pathway for those without standard entry requirements to pursue nursing degrees)
• Apprenticeship Programme: Vocational and skills training support including job placement and housing assistance

Vocational Training

• Sewing and tailoring programmes (India, Morocco) including equipment provision and job placement support
• Partnership with Operation Fresh Start (Wisconsin) providing startup grants for vocational training in construction, conservation, and healthcare for individuals aged 18-24
• Programmes designed to create pathways to employability and financial independence

Healthcare Access

• Support for medical treatments and healthcare needs
• Partnership with Cancer Relief Gibraltar to provide emergency support to cancer patients and their carers facing urgent financial need
• Support for Calpe House providing accommodation for Gibraltarians travelling to London for medical treatment

Multi-year Organisational Support

• Committed multi-year financial support to partner organisations (£10,000 annually for three years to Calpe House)

Priority Areas

• Individuals from low-income backgrounds facing circumstances beyond their control
• Educational access for high-potential students who cannot fully fund their studies
• Healthcare access for those facing medical hardships
• Vocational training for skills development and poverty reduction
• Crisis intervention providing just-in-time support to prevent financial distress escalation
• Families experiencing hardship due to loss, trauma, or cost-of-living challenges
• Adult learners returning to education after prolonged challenges (single parents, individuals recovering from illness or dangerous situations)

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation focuses exclusively on supporting individuals and families (not organisational projects or infrastructure) through either direct programmes or partnership arrangements.

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Governance and Leadership

CEO: Brandon Sosa

Principal Benefactor: David Barzilai

Trustee: Phenix Philanthropic Limited (Gibraltar company number 125358)

Trustees: Peter Montegriffo (Director), Graham Olivero

Leadership Perspectives:

Brandon Sosa (CEO) explained the foundation's rationale: “We are excited about this work because for many trying to lift themselves out of poverty, the story is small financial hardships that turn into bad debt or close the door on opportunities to move forward financially, a vicious repeating cycle.”

The foundation's mission statement emphasises: “The Barzilai Foundation works with individuals whose life has been derailed by challenges beyond their control. Our support is active, customised and temporary. The aim is to help people overcome those challenges and excel beyond.”

How to Apply to Barzilai Foundation

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process for organisational funding.

The Barzilai Foundation operates through two distinct models:

1. For Organisations: The foundation works through invited partnerships with established charitable organisations rather than accepting unsolicited grant applications. They identify partner organisations aligned with their mission and establish collaborative funding arrangements where the partner organisation administers grants to individuals on behalf of the foundation.

1. For Individual Scholarships: The foundation does accept applications for some educational scholarship and bursary programmes. Interested students should contact info@barzilaifoundation.org for application details.

Current Partner Organisations Include:

• National Benevolent Charity (UK) - hardship grants for low-income families
• Calpe House (Gibraltar/UK) - multi-year support for Gibraltarians travelling to London for medical treatment
• Cancer Relief Gibraltar - support for cancer patients and carers
• EV Foundation (Gibraltar) - educational bursaries for students
• University of Gibraltar - scholarship programmes in nursing, maritime science, environmental science
• University of Wisconsin-Madison - scholarships for adult learners
• Operation Fresh Start (Wisconsin) - vocational training startup grants
• Chetana Foundation (India) - vocational training programmes

Getting on Their Radar

Contact: Organisations interested in partnership opportunities can reach out to the foundation at info@barzilaifoundation.org to discuss potential collaborative arrangements.

Partnership Model: The foundation seeks organisations that:

• Work directly with communities experiencing hardship
• Have established infrastructure for administering individual grants
• Serve populations facing circumstances beyond their control (low-income families, students, medical patients, individuals in crisis)
• Can provide referral-based support to identify individuals in exceptional need

Geography: The foundation currently focuses on UK and Gibraltar operations, with additional programmes in the United States, India, and Morocco. Organisations in these jurisdictions may be considered for partnership.

Approach: Given that the foundation was only established in 2022 and has already formed multiple partnerships across several countries, they appear open to developing new relationships with organisations aligned with their mission of supporting individuals dealing with life challenges.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Partnership arrangements appear to be established through direct negotiation.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - partnership-based model.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates through invited partnerships rather than open applications, the following insights are relevant for organisations seeking to understand their funding approach:

For Potential Partner Organisations:

1. Mission Alignment: The foundation's CEO Brandon Sosa emphasises their focus on breaking the “vicious repeating cycle” where small financial hardships create long-term barriers. Organisations demonstrating how they address this cycle would align with their priorities.

1. Individual-Focused Support: All foundation grants ultimately support individuals, not organisational operations. Partner organisations must have infrastructure to administer grants directly to people in need.

1. Just-in-Time Intervention: The foundation values support that arrives at “critical life moments” - partnerships that can identify and respond quickly to urgent needs align with their model.

1. Evidence of Impact: While specific metrics aren't published, the foundation tracks individuals supported, healthcare access provided, and scholarships awarded, suggesting they value measurable outcomes.

1. Established Community Connections: Current partners (National Benevolent Charity, Cancer Relief Gibraltar, University of Gibraltar) have long track records and deep community roots. The foundation appears to prefer working with trusted, established organisations rather than newer entities.

For Partnership Proposals:

Ali Russell, Chief Executive of National Benevolent Charity (a current partner), noted: “The number of people looking for support and the urgency of their need has grown at an unprecedented pace” and “The grants we provide in moments of crisis can prevent an onslaught of financial distress.” This suggests the foundation responds to demonstrated urgent need and crisis prevention.

Funding Examples:

• National Benevolent Charity: Funding for up to two-dozen additional hardship grants providing vouchers for essential home needs, food insecurity support, and clothing for job interviews
• Calpe House: £10,000 annual commitment for three years supporting Gibraltarians travelling to London for medical treatment, plus collaboration on facility refurbishment
• EV Foundation: Eight bursaries of up to £5,000 each for students from low-income households
• University of Gibraltar: Full tuition scholarships in select fields plus Access to Healthcare Bursary for students without standard entry requirements
• University of Wisconsin-Madison: Full tuition scholarships for adult learners facing significant life challenges
• Operation Fresh Start: Startup grants covering initial costs for vocational training programmes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - the foundation works exclusively through invited partnerships with established charitable organisations
• Partnership-based model: If your organisation works with low-income individuals facing hardship, healthcare crises, or educational barriers, contact the foundation directly to explore collaboration opportunities
• Individual focus: All funding ultimately supports individuals, not organisational projects or infrastructure - partnerships must enable direct grants to people in need
• Quick intervention valued: The foundation emphasises “just in time” support at critical moments, suggesting they value partners who can respond rapidly to urgent needs
• Young but active foundation: Established only in 2022, they have already formed multiple partnerships across UK, Gibraltar, United States, India, and Morocco, suggesting openness to new relationships
• Four priority areas: Education, healthcare, hardship grants, and vocational training with established funding streams
• Geographic scope: Currently UK and Gibraltar focused for most programmes, with selective international initiatives in United States, India, and Morocco
• Gibraltar-based: The foundation is registered in Gibraltar (not UK) and operates as a Gibraltar discretionary settlement with charitable objects

For Individual Applicants: The foundation does offer direct scholarship and bursary programmes for students - contact info@barzilaifoundation.org for application information.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Silver Lady Fund Incorporating The All Night Travelling Cafe
• Lifelines International Fund For Education
• The Cosaraf Charitable Foundation
• The Considered Ask Foundation
• Wellington Management Uk Foundation
• Societe Generale Uk Foundation
• The Sterry Family Foundation
• Ps Foundation
• Hollick Family Foundation
• The Kenora Charitable Foundation

References

1. Barzilai Foundation Official Website - https://barzilaifoundation.org/
2. Barzilai Foundation, “Barzilai Grants” - https://barzilaifoundation.org/our-work/barzilai-grants
3. Barzilai Foundation, “Supporting Low Income Families Facing Hardships” - https://barzilaifoundation.org/initiative/supporting-low-income-families-facing-hardships
4. Barzilai Foundation, “Access to Education” - https://barzilaifoundation.org/our-work/access-to-education
5. Barzilai Foundation, “Vocational Training” - https://barzilaifoundation.org/our-work/vocational-training
6. Gibraltar Chronicle, “Barzilai Foundation commits multi-year financial support for Calpe House” - https://www.chronicle.gi/barzilai-foundation-commits-multi-year-financial-support-for-calpe-house/
7. Hassans Law Firm, “Barzilai Foundation Impact Report 2023” - https://www.gibraltarlaw.com/insights/post/102j1uz/barzilai-foundation-impact-report-2023/
8. GBC News, “Barzilai Foundation offers bursaries to students in need, as EV Foundations highlights family struggles on the Rock” - https://www.gbc.gi/news/barzilai-foundation-offers-bursaries-students-need-ev-foundations-highlights-family-struggles-rock
9. Calpe House GA, “The Barzilai Foundation committed to support Calpe House GA” - https://www.calpehouse.com/past-events/the-barzilai-foundation-committed-to-support-calpe-house-ga/
10. Barzilai Foundation, “Hardship Grants for Individuals Impacted by Cancer” - https://barzilaifoundation.org/initiative/hardship-grants-for-individuals-dealing-with-cancer-diagnosis
11. Barzilai Foundation, “Scholarship Fund: University of Wisconsin” - https://barzilaifoundation.org/story/scholarship-fund-created-at-university-of-wisconsin-madison