George Elias Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 273993

Annual Expenditure: £1.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £990,125 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not specified - rolling applications
  • Grant Range: Variable (smaller and larger grants available)
  • Geographic Focus: UK and international

Contact Details

  • Email: textiles@kshaw.com
  • Phone: 0161 928 7171
  • Address: Shaws Fabrics Ltd, 1 Ashley Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 2DT
  • Charity Number: 273993

Charities are advised to contact the trust before submitting a formal application to determine whether an application would be encouraged.

Overview

Founded in 1977, the George Elias Charitable Trust is a UK-registered grant-making charity supporting organizations working in education, poverty relief, and the promotion of the Jewish faith. Based in Altrincham, Cheshire, and administered through Shaws Fabrics Ltd, the trust distributes approximately £990,000 annually (based on 2024 accounts). The trust makes donations to UK registered charities working both domestically and internationally across its three priority areas. With total income of £988,789 in 2024 (primarily from donations and legacies), the trust maintains an active grantmaking program. The charity is governed by two trustees and operates without paid staff or remuneration for trustees.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust offers both smaller and larger grants to UK registered charities, though specific grant ranges are not publicly defined. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Priority Areas

The trust funds charities working in three main areas:

  • Education: Supporting educational needs and educational organizations
  • Poverty Relief: Fighting poverty and supporting those in need
  • Jewish Faith: Promoting the Jewish faith in the United Kingdom and internationally

The trust accepts applications for work both within the UK and overseas.

What They Don't Fund

  • Non-UK registered charities
  • Individuals
  • Organizations outside the three priority areas (education, poverty relief, Jewish faith promotion)
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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by two trustees, including:

  • Stephen Edward Elias - Trustee

Stephen Edward Elias also serves as trustee for other charitable organizations including Wilbraham Road (Manchester) Trust Limited and South Manchester Jewish Student Trust Limited, demonstrating engagement with educational and community initiatives.

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring all resources are directed toward charitable activities.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications may be made at any time in writing. However, charities interested in applying for grant support are strongly advised to contact the trust in the first instance to determine whether an application would be encouraged.

Contact for initial enquiries: textiles@kshaw.com or call 0161 928 7171

This pre-application contact is recommended to avoid submitting unsuitable applications and to understand current funding priorities.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. As the trust operates on a rolling application basis rather than fixed funding rounds, decision times may vary.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed by the trust.

Reapplication Policy

Information on reapplication policies is not publicly available. Applicants should enquire about this when making initial contact with the trust.

Application Success Factors

Given the trust's focus areas and operational style, applicants should consider the following:

  • Pre-application contact is essential: The trust explicitly advises charities to contact them first to determine if an application would be encouraged. This suggests they prefer to guide potential applicants and avoid unsuitable applications.
  • Clear alignment with priorities: Projects should clearly demonstrate how they address education, poverty relief, or the promotion of the Jewish faith. The trust has maintained these three focus areas consistently since its founding.
  • UK registration required: Only UK registered charities are eligible, though the work funded can be domestic or international in scope.
  • Connection to Jewish community: Given the trust's origins, connection to Shaws Fabrics Ltd (a textile business in the Jewish community), and the trustees' involvement with Jewish organizations, applicants working within or serving the Jewish community may find particular alignment.
  • Flexibility in grant sizes: The trust describes offering both “smaller and larger grants,” suggesting they consider projects of varying scales. Applicants should be realistic about their funding needs and how they align with the trust's capacity.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Always make pre-application contact via textiles@kshaw.com or phone before submitting a formal application - this is explicitly recommended by the trust
  • The trust focuses exclusively on three areas: education, poverty relief, and Jewish faith promotion - ensure clear alignment with at least one
  • Only UK registered charities are eligible, but international work within priority areas can be supported
  • The trust distributes approximately £990,000 annually, indicating capacity for substantial grantmaking
  • With only two trustees and no staff, this is a lean operation - applications should be clear, concise, and well-targeted
  • Rolling applications mean no fixed deadlines, but pre-application contact helps establish timing expectations
  • The trust has maintained consistent priorities since 1977, suggesting stable funding approach

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