Benesco Charity Limited
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £5.39m (charitable activities expenditure)
- Total Income: £7.09m (primarily from investments)
- Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
- Geographic Focus: UK
- Application Process: No public application process - trustee discretion
Contact Details
Registered Address: 55 Baker Street, London
Charity Number: 269181
Note: This charity does not have a website. Information available through the UK Charity Commission register.
Overview
Benesco Charity Limited was incorporated on 18 February 1970 as a private company and registered charity operating as an investment vehicle for grant-making. The charity generates income from property and other investments, which it then distributes as grants to registered charities. With total income of £7.09 million (year ending April 2024), primarily from investments (£6.94m), and charitable expenditure of £5.39 million, Benesco operates as a subsidiary of the Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust. While the majority of Benesco's grants support the Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust, it also makes a limited number of grants in its own right to UK registered charities, hospitals, schools, and similar institutions. The charity focuses on supporting work in medicine, education, and welfare, with particular (though not exclusive) regard to the needs of the Jewish community.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
Benesco does not operate formal grant programs. Grants are made at trustee discretion, with the following patterns:
- Primary beneficiary: Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust (receives the majority of grants)
- Independent grants: Limited number made directly to UK registered charities, hospitals, schools, and similar institutions
- Focus on capital and fixed-term projects: Grants are directed especially towards capital or fixed-term projects
Priority Areas
- Medicine: Medical research and healthcare institutions
- Education: Educational institutions and schools
- Welfare: Child welfare and poverty relief initiatives
- Jewish community: Particular (but not exclusive) regard to the needs of the Jewish community
What They Don't Fund
- Specific exclusions are not publicly documented
- The charity operates through trustee discretion rather than open applications, suggesting they do not fund unsolicited requests
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Governance and Leadership
The charity is governed by 4 trustees, some of whom receive payments or benefits for providing services to the charity.
Key Leadership Connection: Andrew Wolfson serves as chairman of both Benesco Charity Limited and the Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust, reflecting the close operational relationship between the two organizations.
The charity has no employees with benefits exceeding £60,000.
How to Apply to Benesco Charity Limited
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process.
Benesco Charity Limited operates primarily as an investment vehicle to support the Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust. While it does make a limited number of grants in its own right to UK registered charities, hospitals, and schools, these grants appear to be made at trustee discretion rather than through a public application process.
The charity does not maintain a website and does not publish application guidelines or deadlines. Grants are awarded based on trustee decisions, likely informed by the trustees' knowledge of organizations and projects that align with the charity's purposes.
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - no public application process.
Success Rates
Not applicable - no public application process means no data on application success rates.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable - no public application process.
Application Success Factors
Given that Benesco does not operate a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have historically received funding appear to share these characteristics:
- Alignment with priority areas: Strong focus on medicine, education, or welfare
- Institutional credibility: Established UK registered charities, hospitals, schools, or similar institutions
- Capital or fixed-term projects: Preference for specific projects rather than ongoing operational costs
- Connection to Jewish community: While not exclusive, there is particular regard for organizations serving the needs of the Jewish community
- Trustee awareness: Organizations appear to be funded based on trustees' knowledge and discretion
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No public application process: Benesco operates primarily to support the Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust, with only limited independent grant-making
- Trustee-driven decisions: All grants are made at the discretion of the 4-member board of trustees
- Investment-funded model: The charity generates £6.94m annually from property and investments to fund its grant-making
- Focus areas are clear: Medicine, education, and welfare, with particular attention to the Jewish community
- Institutional focus: Preference for established organizations - registered charities, hospitals, schools, and similar institutions
- Project-based funding: Emphasis on capital or fixed-term projects rather than ongoing operational support
- No website or public presence: All information must be obtained through the Charity Commission register
Similar Funders
These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:
- The Phillips And Rubens Charitable Trust
- E And E Kernkraut Charities Limited
- The Esfandi Charitable Foundation
- The Alan Sugar Foundation
- Gerson Berger Association Limited
- The Mintz Family Foundations Trust
- Hachzokas Torah Vechesed Charity
- Mishkan Yerushulayim
- Teshuvoh Tefilloh Tzedokoh
- Donating Charity Limited
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References
- UK Charity Commission Register of Charities, Benesco Charity Limited (Charity No. 269181), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/269181
- Companies House, Benesco Charity Limited (Company No. 00972762), https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00972762
- Charity Choice, “Benesco Charity Limited,” https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/benesco-charity-limited-151125
- Bath and North East Somerset Council, “The Benesco Charity Limited,” https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/89507
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