Jewish Child's Day

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £4,000,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Variable (multi-stage process)
• Grant Range: Up to £30,000 (£135,000 NIS for Israel)
• Geographic Focus: UK, Israel, and smaller Jewish communities worldwide
• Beneficiaries: 25,000+ children annually through 100+ projects

Contact Details

Website: www.jcd.uk.com

Email: info@jcd.uk.com

Phone: 020 8446 8804

Grants Enquiries:

• Adele Busse, Head of Grants
• Email: adele.busse@jcd.uk.com
• Phone: 020 3307 6656

Overview

Founded in 1947 to support Jewish children displaced during World War II, Jewish Child's Day has evolved from a single day of fundraising on the first Sunday of Chanukah into the UK's leading grant-giving Jewish charity. With 77 years of history, the organization distributes approximately £4 million annually in grants across Health, Equipment, Education, Activities, and Therapy projects. Supporting over 25,000 Jewish children annually through partnerships with 100+ projects, JCD's mission is to ensure that no child lives in poverty, need, pain, or suffering. The organization proactively seeks out smaller charities that lack extensive fundraising resources and emphasizes long-term collaborative partnerships. No trustees receive any remuneration, ensuring all funds support vulnerable children.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

2025 Pilot Programme

• Grants up to £30,000 (UK) or NIS 135,000 (Israel)
• Currently closed to applications - check website for new rounds
• Application method: Rolling basis (when open)

Priority Areas

Target Beneficiaries:

• Jewish children aged 18 and under living in difficult circumstances
• Children affected by poverty, mental health difficulties, physical and learning disabilities
• Children directly affected by war in Israel

Funded Projects Include:

• Health: Medical equipment (incubators, cochlear implants), cancer patient rehabilitation accommodation
• Equipment: Wheelchairs, hoists, portable paediatric beds, walking aids
• Education: School sensory rooms, educational materials
• Activities: Summer camps, afterschool clubs, holiday camps (20 projects providing these services)
• Therapy: 6,000+ hours of therapy funded annually for vulnerable children

Recent Impact:

• £304,000 in equipment grants
• 31,772 meals provided to children in poverty
• 6,000 hours of therapy

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals (only registered charitable organizations)
• Projects already completed
• Core operational costs
• Organizations with annual income exceeding £1,500,000 (UK) or NIS 6,750,000 (Israel)
• Exception: UK schools can apply with higher income
• Organizations that received JCD grants within the last 12 months

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Charles Spungin - Chairman

• Joined 2017 (Honorary Treasurer since 2014)
• Managing Director, Allspring Global Investments
• Background in banking and finance

Miri Benchetrit - Vice Chair (Grants)

• Consultant to foundations and charities
• Extensive experience in grant-making and program management

Richard Reinhold - Co Vice Chair (Fundraising)

• 40+ years experience in business and fashion
• Quote: “I have seen the amazing work that is being carried out with the grant money”

Other Trustees:

• Melvyn Orton - Legal advisor, 45 years in real estate law
• Joshua Pelled - Founder and CEO of Bright Futures UK
• Lucy Adelman - Commercial lawyer
• Elizabeth Apfel - Teacher and former charity communications professional
• Eli Haroush - Investment and sustainability professional, Head of ESG at major UK financial institution

Key Staff:

• Adele Busse, Head of Grants - Navigates funding complexities while upholding transparency, equity, and effectiveness

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Stage 1: Initial Contact

Email Adele Busse (adele.busse@jcd.uk.com) with:

• Organisation name
• Charity registration number
• Who you support
• Project requiring funding

Stage 2: Expression of Interest

Complete a short form describing your organisation and proposed work

Stage 3: Full Application

If invited, submit full application including:

• Audited accounts
• Detailed project budget
• Safeguarding policy

Stage 4: Site Visit

First-time applicants must receive an organizational visit from JCD representative before funding can be awarded

Eligibility Criteria

• Registered charitable organisations in UK or Israel
• Annual income up to £1,500,000 (UK) or NIS 6,750,000 (Israel)
• Focus on Jewish children aged 18 and under
• Majority of project beneficiaries must be Jewish (though may benefit non-Jewish children)

Decision Timeline

Timeline varies depending on application stage and site visit requirements. Application volume has doubled since the pandemic, which may affect processing times.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. In 2024, JCD supported approximately 100 projects from increased application volumes.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that have received grants cannot reapply within 12 months of their last award. No specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants was found - contact Head of Grants for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Direct Guidance from JCD

Strategic Philosophy:

As stated in their grant-making philosophy: "Grant making at Jewish Child's Day (JCD) is not just about distributing funds—it's about creating long-term, meaningful change in children's lives."

Key Success Factors:

1. Community Understanding: JCD prioritizes understanding each community's unique social, economic, and cultural context. Demonstrate deep knowledge of the children you serve.

1. Transformational Impact: Focus on projects with potential for meaningful, lasting change. Quote from leadership: “All kids need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them” - 'Magic' Johnson

1. Partnership Approach: JCD seeks long-term collaborative partnerships, not one-off funding relationships. Show commitment to ongoing engagement.

1. Flexibility and Responsiveness: The organization values the ability to redirect funds during crises. Demonstrate organizational agility.

1. Smaller Organizations Welcome: JCD actively engages with smaller charities lacking extensive fundraising resources. Don't be deterred by size.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Impact on vulnerable children's lives
• Project's potential for transformational change
• Organization's dedication and community understanding
• Both quantitative and qualitative outcomes measurement

Recently Funded Organizations

Examples of successful grant recipients:

• ADI (Therapy)
• Beit Issie Shapiro (Equipment)
• Jordan River Village (Activity)
• Leoro Nelech (Therapy)
• Chabad Wimbledon (Therapy)

Project Examples

• Rehabilitation accommodation for child cancer patients
• Portable paediatric beds for children with disabilities
• Sensory rooms in schools
• Afterschool clubs and holiday camps
• Therapy programs for children with emotional, learning, or physical difficulties

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Emphasize Transformational Impact: Go beyond describing activities to articulate how your project will create “long-term, meaningful change” in children's lives. JCD sees itself as “stewards of social change.”

1. Demonstrate Community Context: Show deep understanding of the specific social, economic, and cultural factors affecting the children you serve. Generic applications won't stand out.

1. Build a Relationship Early: Contact Head of Grants Adele Busse before applying to discuss your project. First-time applicants require site visits, so early engagement is essential.

1. Be Specific About Need: With £4 million distributed annually across five categories (Health, Equipment, Education, Activities, Therapy), clearly position your project within their framework.

1. Smaller Organizations Have Advantage: JCD proactively seeks smaller charities without extensive fundraising capacity. Don't let limited resources deter your application.

1. Plan for Partnership: Frame your request as the beginning of a long-term collaborative relationship, not a one-time funding request. JCD values ongoing partnerships.

1. Monitor Application Windows: With applications currently closed and doubling since the pandemic, timing is crucial. Check the website regularly for new grant rounds and apply promptly when they open.

1. Prepare for Site Visit: First-time applicants won't be funded without an organizational visit. Ensure your organization is ready to showcase your work effectively.

References

1. Jewish Child's Day Official Website - www.jcd.uk.com
2. Jewish Child's Day Grants Page - https://jcd.uk.com/grants/
3. “The Gift of Grant Making: A Journey of Empowerment and Impact” - https://jcd.uk.com/the-gift-of-grant-making-a-journey-of-empowerment-and-impact/
4. Jewish Child's Day About Us - https://jcd.uk.com/about-us/
5. Jewish Child's Day Trustees Page - https://jcd.uk.com/about-us/whos-who/trustees/
6. Jewish Child's Day Impact Page - https://jcd.uk.com/our-impact/
7. UK Charity Commission Register - JEWISH CHILD'S DAY (1195764) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1195764
8. Jewish Legacy - Jewish Child's Day Profile - https://www.jewishlegacy.org.uk/charities/jewish-childs-day/
9. Charity Extra - Jewish Child's Day Campaign - https://www.charityextra.com/jewishchildsday