Coral Samuel Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 239677
• Annual Expenditure: £100,269 (2024)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £5,000 (occasional larger awards)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom
• Application Method: Rolling, written applications
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed

Contact Details

Registered Address:

45 Gresham Street

London

EC2V 7BG

Application Address:

Sarah and Peter Fineman, Trustees

The Coral Samuel Charitable Trust

Smith & Williamson

25 Moorgate

London

EC2R 6AY

Telephone: 020 7131 4376

Note: The Trust does not maintain a website or email address.

Overview

The Coral Samuel Charitable Trust was established by trust deed on 3 July 1962 and registered with the Charity Commission on 2 February 1965. Named after the late Coral Samuel CBE (1927-2023), a prolific philanthropist who was trustee of over 30 charities and co-founder of the Friends of the Royal Academy and the Friends of the V&A Museum, the Trust continues her legacy of supporting charitable causes across the UK.

The Trust operates as a family-based grant-making charity with broad charitable objects, giving trustees discretion to support “such charitable purposes as the trustees shall think fit whether in England and Wales or elsewhere.” With annual expenditure of approximately £100,000, the Trust makes numerous grants to educational, cultural, and socially supportive charities. The trustees receive no remuneration, and the charity has no trading subsidiaries, ensuring all resources are directed toward charitable giving. The Trust is currently managed by members of the Fineman family, continuing the philanthropic tradition established by Coral Samuel.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single, flexible grant program supporting registered charities across the UK:

• General Charitable Grants: £1,000 - £5,000 (with occasional larger awards) - Rolling application basis, supporting projects that promote education, welfare, and culture.

Priority Areas

The Trust functions as a generalist grant-maker with broad charitable interests, demonstrating preference for:

• Education: Reflecting Coral Samuel's particular passion for educational causes, including schools, educational programs, and learning initiatives
• Culture and Arts: Supporting museums, galleries, music organizations, theatre, and cultural institutions
• Social Welfare: Funding charities providing social support and community services
• Animal Welfare: Supporting organizations working with animals
• Medical Causes: Funding health and medical charities
• General Charitable Purposes: The Trust has discretion to support a wide range of charitable causes

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals: Grants are only made to UK registered charities, not to individuals
• Non-charitable organizations: Applicants must be registered with the Charity Commission

No other specific exclusions are documented, though the Trust's broad charitable objects give trustees considerable discretion.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Trust is currently managed by three trustees, all members of the Fineman family:

• Sarah Elizabeth Fineman (appointed 2013)
• Peter Julian Fineman - Son of Coral Samuel CBE
• James Harry Fineman (appointed 2023)

All three trustees also serve as trustees of The Fineman Trust. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring all resources support grant-making activities.

Historical Context

The Trust is named after Coral Samuel CBE (1927-2023), who died aged 95. Born Coral Cynthia Julius in the East End of London on 10 August 1927, she was awarded a CBE for her extensive philanthropic work. Her charitable interests were wide-ranging, serving as trustee of over 30 organizations including:

• Education: Governor of St Paul's Boys' and Girls' School and Dauntseys School; founded the first day nursery for mentally handicapped children under five
• Jewish Community: President of Stepney Jewish Settlement and Union of Jewish Women; supporter of Community Security Trust, Nightingale, Maccabi GB, and Magen David Adom
• Arts and Culture: Co-founded Friends of the Royal Academy and Friends of the V&A; trustee of Dulwich Picture Gallery, Chelsea Physic Garden, and National Gallery Trust; Honorary life patron of British Museum, Tate Britain, and Natural History Museum

The Trust continues her legacy of supporting diverse charitable causes with a particular emphasis on education and culture.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust accepts written applications on a rolling basis. There is no online application system or downloadable forms.

Application Method:

• Submit written applications by post to: Sarah and Peter Fineman, Trustees, The Coral Samuel Charitable Trust, Smith & Williamson, 25 Moorgate, London, EC2R 6AY
• Applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year
• The Trust does not maintain a website or email contact

Application Requirements:

• Applicants must be UK registered charities
• Applications should clearly outline the charitable purpose and how the grant would be used
• Projects should align with the Trust's focus areas of education, welfare, and culture

No requirement for matched funding is specified.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a small family-based trust without fixed application deadlines, processing times likely vary depending on trustee meeting schedules and application volume.

Success Rates

Success rates and statistics on the number of applications received versus grants awarded are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented. Organizations are advised to contact the Trust directly if they have questions about reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public guidance from the Trust, applicants should consider the following based on the Trust's history and priorities:

Alignment with Founder's Interests:

• The Trust honors the legacy of Coral Samuel CBE, whose particular passion was education. Educational projects, especially those supporting children and young people, may be particularly well-received.
• Cultural and arts organizations, especially museums and galleries, align with Coral Samuel's documented interests as co-founder of Friends of the Royal Academy and Friends of the V&A.

Appropriate Grant Size:

• Most grants fall between £1,000-£5,000. Tailor your request to fit within this range, with clear justification if requesting a larger amount.
• Ensure your request is proportionate to the Trust's annual giving capacity of approximately £100,000.

Clear, Concise Written Applications:

• With no application form or online system, trustees rely on written proposals. Ensure your application is professional, clearly written, and provides all necessary information about your charity and project.
• Include your charity registration number and evidence of your charitable status.

Demonstrable Charitable Impact:

• Clearly articulate the charitable purpose and impact of your project.
• Focus on how your work promotes education, welfare, or culture in alignment with the Trust's priorities.

UK Focus:

• While the Trust's objects allow funding “in England and Wales or elsewhere,” ensure you clearly establish your UK charitable status and, where relevant, the UK benefit of your work.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Family-based generalist funder with broad charitable interests and trustee discretion - suitable for a wide range of charitable causes
• Education and culture are priority areas, reflecting the founder's documented passions and charitable work
• Small to medium grants (£1,000-£5,000) suit project funding, equipment purchases, or contributions to larger initiatives
• Simple, traditional application process via written postal applications - no website, online forms, or email
• Rolling applications mean you can apply at any time, though decision timelines are not disclosed
• No matched funding requirement makes this accessible for organizations without other secured funding
• Strong legacy of arts and cultural philanthropy - organizations in museums, galleries, music, and the arts should consider applying

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Dischma Charitable Trust
• THE BASIL SAMUEL CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE ANDOR CHARITABLE TRUST
• Susanna Peake Charitable Trust
• The Scotshill Trust
• Langdale Trust
• The Batchworth Trust
• The Bay Tree Charitable Trust
• The Thompson Family Charitable Trust
• THE ROBERT GAVRON CHARITABLE TRUST

References

1. Charity Commission Register of Charities - CORAL SAMUEL CHARITABLE TRUST (239677). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=239677&subid=0 []

1. Find that Charity - GB-CHC-239677 | Coral Samuel Charitable Trust. Available at: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-239677 []

1. Funding Eye - The Coral Samuel Charitable Trust. Available at: https://www.jonmatthews.co.uk/the-coral-samuel-charitable-trust/ []

1. Making Music - Coral Samuel Charitable Trust funding opportunity. Available at: https://www.makingmusic.org.uk/funding-opportunity/coral-samuel-charitable-trust []

1. The Jewish Chronicle (6 July 2023) - Obituary: Coral Samuel, CBE. Available at: https://www.thejc.com/news/obituary-coral-samuel-cbe-c97m4h7t []

1. Royal Academy of Arts - Coral Samuel Charitable Trust organisation page. Available at: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/organisation/coral-samuel-charitable-trust []

1. Theatre and Dance NI - Coral Samuel Charitable Trust; Applications Open. Available at: https://theatreanddanceni.org/coral-samuel-charitable-trust-applications-open/ []

1. Charity Commission Register - Trustees of CORAL SAMUEL CHARITABLE TRUST. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/239677/trustees []