David & Ruth Lewis Family Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 259892

Annual Expenditure: £4.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £4,008,940 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Under £50,000 - £376,300
  • Geographic Focus: UK and overseas (particularly Israel)

Contact Details

Address: Chelsea House, West Gate, Ealing, London, W5 1DR

Phone: 020 8991 4502

Email: Not publicly available

Website: The Trust does not have a website

Note: The Trust does not have a website. Applications should be made in writing to the registered address. For details of grants below £50,000, contact the Trustees at the registered address.

Overview

The David & Ruth Lewis Family Charitable Trust was registered on 24 November 1969 (formerly known as the Lewis Family Charitable Trust) and is a family-based grant-making charity based in London. Founded by David Lewis, co-founder of the River Island clothing chain, the Trust is managed by three family trustees who are personally involved in each grant decision. During the year ended 31 May 2023, the Trust awarded grants totalling £4,008,940, significantly increasing from £2,257,339 in 2022. While the Trust's legally permitted objectives are very wide and cover virtually every generally accepted charitable object, in practice the Trustees have devoted the bulk of resources to medical research, education, and relief for the less fortunate. The Trust provides administrative support through employees of Lewis Trust Group Limited and River Island Clothing Co. Limited. Jewish causes are regularly supported by the Trust.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a rolling application system with no fixed deadlines. Applications may be made at any time in writing. Grants typically range from under £50,000 to over £376,000.

  • Standard Grants: Often £50,000 or more to UK registered charities working in the UK and/or overseas
  • Medical Research Grants: Normally run for a period of three years
  • Multi-Year Commitments: A few grant commitments cover a period of two to three years

Priority Areas

The Trust awarded grants across the following categories in 2023:

  • Medical Research and Support: £574,280 - Supporting medical research initiatives and healthcare facilities
  • Education: £579,279 - Educational programs and institutions
  • Child and Social Care: £351,541 - Supporting vulnerable children and social welfare programs
  • Support for the Elderly: £157,939 - Programs benefiting elderly populations
  • General Charitable Purposes: £2,345,901 - Broad charitable activities aligned with Trust objectives

The Trust regularly supports Jewish causes and organizations working in Israel, including significant support to institutions such as the British Friends of Rambam (which received £376,300 in 2023 to support Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, Israel).

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly listed. The Trust does not invite donations from members of the general public and operates as a private family foundation.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

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

  • Rachel Lewis
  • Benjamin Lewis (appointed 14 September 2011)
  • Simon Lewis (appointed 14 September 2011)

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trustees are personally involved in each grant decision and meet regularly to consider requests for grant support.

Family Legacy

David Lewis, co-founder of River Island (formerly Chelsea Girl), opened his first store in Hackney in 1948 and built one of the United Kingdom's most successful retail companies. The Trust was established to continue the family's philanthropic legacy.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Method: Written applications only
  • Deadline: None – applications may be made at any time (rolling basis)
  • Contact: Applications should be sent to Chelsea House, West Gate, Ealing, London, W5 1DR
  • Pre-application: No formal pre-application process is mentioned
  • Note: The Trust does not have a website or online application portal

Applications are processed and handled by employees of Lewis Trust Group Limited and River Island Clothing Co. Limited on behalf of the trustees.

Decision Timeline

The trustees meet regularly to consider requests for grant support. However, specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a family trust with personal trustee involvement in each decision, timelines may vary based on the complexity of the application and trustee meeting schedules.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available. As a private family trust, the organization does not publish data on the number of applications received versus grants awarded.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly available. Applicants seeking clarification on reapplication procedures should contact the Trust directly.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment

  • Family Trust Character: The Trust operates as a private family foundation with trustees personally involved in each grant decision. This suggests applications should be clear, compelling, and aligned with the family's philanthropic values.
  • Focus on Core Areas: While the Trust has broad charitable objectives, focusing applications on their priority areas (medical research, education, child and social care, support for the elderly) appears advantageous based on historical giving patterns.
  • Jewish Causes: The Trust regularly supports Jewish causes and organizations working in Israel. Organizations with connections to these areas may find stronger alignment.

Recent Grant Recipients

The Trust has supported organizations including:

  • British Friends of Rambam (£376,300) - supporting Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, Israel
  • Royal Trinity Hospice
  • Schneider Children's Hospital Medical Centre of Israel
  • The Clink Charity - supporting research into ways of reducing recidivism
  • St. Columba's Hospice
  • Beam - helping homeless people get into work
  • Campaign Against Antisemitism (£149,367)

Grant Size Considerations

  • Grants “often for £50,000 or more” suggests the Trust favours substantial commitments
  • The largest award in 2023 was £376,300
  • Details of grants below £50,000 can be obtained from the Trustees
  • Multi-year grants are possible, particularly for medical research (typically three years)

Application Tips

  • Be Specific: As there are no formal application guidelines, ensure your written application clearly articulates your organization's mission, the project requiring funding, expected outcomes, and budget
  • Demonstrate Impact: Given the family's business success, applications demonstrating measurable impact and sustainability may resonate
  • Consider Multi-Year Funding: If your project is in medical research or requires sustained support, consider requesting multi-year funding
  • Alignment with Values: Research the Trust's recent grants (available in their annual accounts pages 14-15) to understand current funding priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Rolling applications welcome: With no fixed deadlines, applications can be submitted at any time, allowing flexibility in timing submissions
  • Substantial grants available: The Trust typically makes grants of £50,000 or more, making it suitable for significant projects requiring substantial funding
  • Family decision-making: All three Lewis family trustees are personally involved in grant decisions, suggesting applications should be compelling and clearly demonstrate impact
  • Medical research and vulnerable populations: Priority areas include medical research (often three-year commitments), education, child welfare, and elderly support
  • Jewish causes regularly supported: Organizations with connections to Jewish communities or Israel-based projects may find strong alignment
  • No website or online portal: All applications must be submitted in writing to the registered address, emphasizing the importance of clear, professional written proposals
  • Significant growth in giving: The Trust's annual giving increased from £2.26 million (2022) to £4.01 million (2023), indicating expanded capacity for grant-making

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References

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