Jewish Child's Day

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Historical data unavailable for current fund structure
• Grant Range: Up to £30,000 (UK) or NIS 135,000 (Israel) in pilot programme
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (two-stage process with site visit for first-time applicants)
• Geographic Focus: UK, Israel, and smaller Jewish communities worldwide
• Children Supported: 25,000+ annually across 100-130 projects
• Application Method: Rolling basis (when open)

Contact Details

Address: First Floor, Elscot House, Arcadia Avenue, London N3 2JU

Website: https://jcd.uk.com (redirects to https://ujia.org/jcdfund/)

Email: info@jcd.uk.com

Head of Grants: Adele Busse - adele.busse@jcd.uk.com

Phone: +44 (0)20 8446 8804

Overview

Jewish Child's Day (JCD) is the UK's leading Jewish grant-giving charity, founded in 1947 to support Jewish children affected by World War II displacement and trauma. From February 2026, JCD transitioned from an active, staffed charity to a dedicated fund within UJIA, managed by a Jewish Child's Day Grant Committee containing both UJIA and JCD representatives. The fund operates under charity registration number 1195764 (the original charity 209266 ceased operations in 2023). The organisation's mission is to benefit Jewish children in need, awarding grants to organisations to ensure that no child lives in poverty, need, pain or suffering - anywhere. JCD supports over 25,000 Jewish children annually through 100-130 projects across the UK, Israel, and smaller Jewish communities worldwide. In recent years, the organisation has prioritised funding for Israeli charities affected by war while maintaining support in the UK. In the past 10 years, JCD has made grants exceeding £8 million to over 180 organisations across the world.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Large Grant Programme: Up to £30,000 (UK) or NIS 135,000 (Israel)

• Organisations must not have received a JCD grant in the last 12 months
• Monitor website for application windows
• Two-stage application process: Expression of Interest, then full application

Historical Grant Activity: Over £8 million in grants over the past 10 years, including £304,000 in equipment purchases (wheelchairs, hoists, incubators, cochlear implants, walking aids).

Priority Areas

JCD funds projects in four main areas, with funding decisions prioritising:

1. Severe financial need and poverty support - Basic necessities including food, nutrition, clothing, and school equipment (31,772 meals provided through supported projects)

1. Mental health support - Various therapeutic interventions including art, drama, emotional, equine, music, occupational, physiotherapy, speech/language, and aquatic therapies (6,000+ therapy hours provided)

1. Disability assistance - Specialist equipment, therapeutic support, sensory spaces, outdoor sensory gardens for children with learning and physical disabilities

1. War-affected children in Israel - Building/outdoor space rehabilitation and child trauma rehabilitation programmes (recent priority following conflict, with over £360,000 awarded since October 7)

What They Don't Fund

JCD explicitly excludes:

• Individual grants directly to families
• Young people aged 19 and over
• Projects where majority costs are salaries (exceptions made for therapist positions)
• Summer/winter/school holiday camps
• Retroactive equipment or completed projects
• Organisations with multiple UK fundraising staff
• Organisations with annual income exceeding £1,500,000 or NIS 6,750,000 (except UK schools)

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Governance and Leadership

Current Structure: From February 2026, JCD operates as a fund within UJIA, managed by a Jewish Child's Day Grant Committee containing both UJIA and JCD representatives.

JCD Chairman: Charles Spungin (appointed 2017, previously Honorary Treasurer from 2014). Managing Director and Head of International Client Relations with Allspring Global Investments, with extensive banking and finance experience. Spungin states: "Jewish Child's Day measures our success on the impact our grants have on Jewish children in need."

Historical Leadership: Joy Moss MBE chaired JCD for over 35 years before being made Life President in November 2017. Awarded MBE for services to charity in 2012.

Vice Chairman: Virginia - Long-term involvement with JCD

Honorary Treasurer: Gary - Joined as council member in 2016, became trustee and treasurer

Trustees: Include Joshua Pelled (founder and CEO of Bright Futures UK), Melvyn (trustee since 2016), Richard Reinhold (40+ years in business and fashion), and Elizabeth (joined 2023)

Trustee Compensation: No trustees receive payments or benefits from the charity

How to Apply to Jewish Child's Day

How to Apply

Step 1 - Initial Contact: Email Head of Grants Adele Busse (adele.busse@jcd.uk.com) with:

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

Step 2 - Eligibility Confirmation: If eligible, you'll receive notification of the next application deadline via email with a link to the online application form

Step 3 - Expression of Interest: Complete short form describing:

• Your organisation
• The work requiring funding
• Project budget sheet showing where JCD grant would be used

Step 4 - Full Application: Selected organisations receive full application form

Required Documents:

• Audited accounts
• Detailed cost breakdown
• Safeguarding policy (mandatory)

Site Visits: First-time applicants are generally not awarded funds until a visit has been made by a JCD representative

Application Windows: Check website for updates on open grant rounds

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The process involves:

• Two-stage application (Expression of Interest, then full application if selected)
• Site visit for first-time applicants
• Review by Grant Committee

JCD maintains long-term relationships with grantees and conducts regular follow-up site visits after funding.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, JCD notes that “the number of good applications will far exceed the funding available,” indicating competitive process. Since the pandemic, application volume has doubled.

Recent Activity: 100-130 projects funded across UK, Israel, and worldwide Jewish communities, supporting 25,000+ children

Reapplication Policy

Organisations that have received a JCD grant cannot apply again within 12 months of their last award. No specific waiting period is mentioned for unsuccessful applicants, though organisations are encouraged to contact the Head of Grants to discuss eligibility before reapplying.

Application Success Factors

What JCD Values

Organisational Size: JCD prioritises “projects serving smaller organisations lacking substantial fundraising capacity” - they actively seek to support organisations that struggle to raise funds themselves

Direct Impact: Projects must provide “direct benefit to children under the age of 18 years” with clear, measurable outcomes

Long-term Relationships: JCD builds ongoing partnerships with grantees, conducting site visits and staying connected with funded organisations

Safeguarding: Mandatory safeguarding policies demonstrate organisational maturity and child protection commitment

Transparency and Accountability: JCD operates with core values of transparency and expects the same from grantees

Recent Funded Project Examples

• Rehabilitation accommodation for child cancer patients
• Portable paediatric beds for children with disabilities
• Sensory rooms in schools
• Afterschool clubs and holiday camps (850 children across 20 projects)
• Equipment including wheelchairs, cochlear implants, walking aids
• Dental care programmes
• Art and music therapy programmes
• Outdoor sensory gardens

Application Tips

1. Demonstrate clear budget allocation: Attach detailed project budget showing exactly where JCD funds would be used within the larger project

1. Emphasise small organisational capacity: JCD actively seeks to support organisations without extensive fundraising resources

1. Show first-time applicant readiness: Prepare for site visit by having clear documentation of operations, safeguarding policies, and project plans

1. Focus on direct child benefit: Avoid salary-heavy budgets (except therapists); emphasise equipment, direct services, or therapeutic interventions

1. Align with current priorities: Recent emphasis on Israel war relief, mental health, disability support, and poverty alleviation

1. Be patient with process: Two-stage application means initial Expression of Interest must be compelling enough to warrant full application invitation

Language and Terminology

JCD uses values-driven language: “caring,” “creative,” “supportive,” “loyal,” “transparent,” and “proactive.” Applications should reflect these values and use terminology emphasising:

• Tzedakah (Jewish charitable giving tradition)
• Transforming lives rather than simply “helping”
• Direct benefit to children
• Nurturing a better, brighter future

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Monitor website for application windows: Check website for announcements about grant rounds before investing time in application development

1. Smaller organisations have advantage: JCD explicitly prioritises organisations lacking substantial fundraising capacity - emphasise this in your application if applicable

1. Site visit is standard practice: First-time applicants should expect and prepare for a site visit before receiving funding - have operations, safeguarding, and project documentation ready

1. 12-month exclusion for previous grantees: If you've received JCD funding, you cannot reapply for 12 months, making each application critical

1. Budget clarity is essential: The Expression of Interest requires a detailed project budget showing exactly where JCD funds fit - vague budget requests unlikely to progress to full application

1. Safeguarding is non-negotiable: Safeguarding policy required for full application - develop this before applying if not already in place

1. Strategic focus on Israel: In recent years, JCD has prioritised Israeli charities affected by war while maintaining UK support - Israeli organisations addressing war impact have particular alignment

1. Relationship-building mindset: JCD conducts ongoing site visits and maintains long-term partnerships - approach this as beginning of a relationship, not one-time transaction

1. Income cap matters: Organisations over £1.5 million annual income are ineligible (except UK schools) - smaller charities are the target demographic

1. UJIA partnership: From February 2026, JCD operates as a fund within UJIA, with grant decisions made by a Joint Grant Committee

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Medlock Charitable Trust
• J E Joseph Charitable Fund
• Jewish Child's Day Fund
• Kusuma Trust Uk
• N And R Karnani Trust
• The Cosaraf Charitable Foundation
• The Walter Guinness Charitable Trust
• The Puri Foundation
• The Wolfson Family Charitable Trust
• Paul Hamlyn Foundation

References

• Jewish Child's Day Official Website: https://jcd.uk.com/
• UJIA - Jewish Child's Day Fund: https://ujia.org/jcdfund/
• UJIA News - Jewish Child's Day Fund Created: https://ujia.org/news/jewish-childs-day-fund-created-to-secure-long-term-support-for-vulnerable-jewish-children
• UK Charity Commission Register - Jewish Child's Day (Charity No. 1195764): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/5185333
• UK Charity Commission Register - Jewish Child's Day (Former Charity No. 209266): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/209266/charity-overview
• Charity Extra - Jewish Child's Day Transforming Lives Campaign: https://www.charityextra.com/jewishchildsday
• Jewish Legacy - Jewish Child's Day Profile: https://www.jewishlegacy.org.uk/charities/jewish-childs-day/
• The Jewish Chronicle - “Seventy years of caring for children”: https://www.thejc.com/life-and-culture/seventy-years-of-caring-for-children-flvqvi33
• The Jewish Chronicle - "Jewish Child's Day to close its office": https://www.thejc.com/community/jewish-childs-day-to-close-its-office-xrf79shh
• Quote from Chairman Charles Spungin: "Jewish Child's Day measures our success on the impact our grants have on Jewish children in need" - Source: Jewish Child's Day website