Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation

Charity Number: 1095850

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £94,874 (2017 data - 39 grants awarded)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (trustees meet regularly)
  • Grant Range: £500 - £20,000
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales (UK-registered charities only)

Contact Details

Website: www.ernesthechtcharitablefoundation.org

Email: info@ernesthechtcharitablefoundation.org / applications@ernesthechtcharitablefoundation.org

Phone: 020 8458 7427

Application Email: applications@ernesthechtcharitablefoundation.org

Overview

The Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation was established in 2003 by Ernest Hecht OBE, a British publisher and philanthropist who passed away in 2018. Following his death, trustees Ben Barkow CBE, Barb Jungr, and Robert Ward have continued the Foundation's work. The Foundation's primary objective is to support UK-registered charities by awarding grants that benefit the disadvantaged and promote the advancement of the arts and education. With grants typically ranging between £500 and £20,000, the Foundation focuses particularly on making a difference for the vulnerable, the young, and the elderly. In 2017, the Foundation made 39 grants totaling £94,874, with an average grant of £2,433. The Foundation emphasizes supporting projects where their donation can make a tangible difference and help progress charitable initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grants Programme: £500 - £20,000

  • Rolling application basis via email
  • Applications accepted at any time
  • Electronic submissions only
  • Requires completion of application form and two years of audited accounts

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports UK-registered charities working in the following areas:

  • Arts and Culture: Theatre, music, visual arts, and cultural programming
  • Education: Educational advancement and access to learning opportunities
  • Healthcare: Medical services and health-related support
  • Youth Support: Services and programs benefiting young people in need
  • Elderly Care: Programs supporting older people, including dementia care
  • Disability Support: Services for mentally and physically disabled individuals
  • Relief of Poverty: Programs addressing poverty and deprivation
  • Religion: Advancement of religious causes

The Foundation particularly prioritizes projects that benefit the vulnerable, the young, and the elderly.

What They Don't Fund

  • Individual applications (only UK-registered charities eligible)
  • Charities whose primary area of benefit is outside the UK
  • Postal applications (electronic submissions only)
  • Incomplete applications (all sections must be fully completed)
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Ben Barkow CBE

  • Also serves as trustee for the Holocaust Survivors' Friendship Association
  • Part of the leadership team continuing Ernest Hecht's philanthropic vision

Barb Jungr

  • Long-serving trustee who served during Ernest Hecht's lifetime

Robert Ward

  • Joined the board shortly before Ernest Hecht's passing

The trustees continue to honor Ernest Hecht's legacy by giving priority to projects where their donation can make a meaningful difference and progress charitable initiatives.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Download Application Form: Available on the Foundation's website at ernesthechtcharitablefoundation.org
  2. Complete All Sections: Every section must be fully completed or the application will not be considered
  3. Gather Supporting Documents: Include copies of your most recent two years of audited accounts
  4. Submit Electronically: Email completed application and accounts to applications@ernesthechtcharitablefoundation.org
  5. Postal Applications Not Accepted: The Foundation only accepts electronic submissions

Important: The Foundation will not enter into correspondence beyond confirmation of submission, so ensure your application is complete and compelling from the start.

Decision Timeline

  • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
  • Trustees meet regularly to review applications
  • Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed
  • No detailed correspondence provided beyond submission confirmation

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. Historical data shows 39 grants were awarded in 2017 from the applications received that year.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly specified. Contact the Foundation directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirements

Complete Every Section: The Foundation explicitly states that “if each section of the application form is not completed fully, the application will not be considered for funding.” This is non-negotiable.

Electronic Submissions Only: Postal applications will not be considered or acknowledged. You must submit via email to applications@ernesthechtcharitablefoundation.org.

What the Trustees Look For

The trustees prioritize projects where their donation can make a difference and progress the charity's initiative. Focus your application on demonstrating tangible impact and how the grant will advance your work.

Geographic Eligibility: You must be a UK-registered charity. Charities whose primary area of benefit is outside the UK are not eligible.

Target Beneficiaries: Emphasize if your work benefits the vulnerable, the young, or the elderly, as these are specific priority groups for the Foundation.

Examples of Funded Projects

The Foundation has supported a diverse range of organizations, including:

  • Mildmay Mission Hospital: £50,000 for core services and Day Therapy Services
  • University of Westminster: £12,300 for weekly Monday Classic Matinée cinema events
  • Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge: Educational scholarships and programs
  • University College London: Student scholarships and support
  • Chickenshed Theatre: Arts programming
  • Royal College of Music: Music education
  • Alzheimer's Society: “Singing for the Brain” groups
  • Whizz-Kidz: Disability mobility support
  • React: Support for children with potentially terminal illness
  • Cardboard Citizens: Homelessness and theatre programs
  • 4Sight Vision Support: Visual impairment services
  • Age UK: Elderly care programs

Application Language and Approach

The Foundation uses language focused on “making a difference,” “benefiting the disadvantaged,” and “advancing” arts and education. Mirror this impact-focused language in your application. Demonstrate how your project will create tangible change for beneficiaries.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Complete Every Field: Incomplete applications are automatically rejected. Take time to thoroughly complete every section of the application form before submitting.
  • Electronic Only: Do not send postal applications. Use email submission to applications@ernesthechtcharitablefoundation.org with your completed form and two years of audited accounts.
  • Focus on Impact: Trustees prioritize projects where their grant will make a measurable difference. Clearly articulate how the funding will advance your charitable work and benefit vulnerable groups.
  • Target Beneficiaries Matter: If your work benefits the vulnerable, young people, or elderly, make this prominent in your application as these are explicit Foundation priorities.
  • Grant Range Awareness: Most grants fall between £500-£20,000, with an average of approximately £2,433 historically. Ensure your request is realistic and well-justified for the Foundation's giving capacity.
  • Diverse Portfolio: The Foundation funds across arts, education, healthcare, and social welfare. Don't assume you need to fit a narrow niche - demonstrate genuine charitable impact in your sector.
  • No Back-and-Forth: The Foundation does not engage in correspondence beyond submission confirmation. Your application must be compelling, complete, and clear on first submission - there's no opportunity to clarify or supplement later.

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