Jewish Child's Day Fund

Quick Stats

• Total Grants (past 10 years): Over £8,000,000 to 180+ organisations
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: To be determined under new structure
• Grant Range: Up to £30,000 (£135,000 NIS for Israel) - pilot programme
• Geographic Focus: UK, Israel, and smaller Jewish communities worldwide
• Beneficiaries: 25,000+ children annually through 100+ projects
• Status: Now operates as a fund managed by UJIA (transitioned February 2026)

Contact Details

Website: https://ujia.org/jcdfund/

UJIA Main Contact:

• Website: www.ujia.org
• The new application process for the Jewish Child's Day Fund will be announced on the UJIA website

Note: Jewish Child's Day closed its staffed office in February 2026 and now operates as the Jewish Child's Day Fund, managed by UJIA under the guidance of a joint Jewish Child's Day Grant Committee.

Overview

Founded in 1947 to support Jewish children displaced during World War II, Jewish Child's Day evolved from a single day of fundraising on the first Sunday of Chanukah into the UK's leading grant-giving Jewish charity. For almost 80 years, the organisation distributed millions of pounds in grants across Health, Equipment, Education, Activities, and Therapy projects.

Major Transition: Jewish Child's Day closed its staffed office and transitioned from an active charity to the Jewish Child's Day Fund, a dedicated grant-giving fund administered by UJIA. This strategic development was designed to safeguard the mission for generations to come. The fund operates under the guidance of a joint grant committee consisting of representatives from both Jewish Child's Day and UJIA.

Over the past 10 years, Jewish Child's Day made grants in excess of £8 million to over 180 organisations across the world. Supporting over 25,000 Jewish children annually through partnerships with 100+ projects, the mission remains to ensure that no child lives in poverty, need, pain, or suffering. The organisation has historically emphasised proactive outreach to smaller charities that lack extensive fundraising resources and long-term collaborative partnerships. No trustees received any remuneration, ensuring all funds supported vulnerable children.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Previous Pilot Programme

• Grants up to £30,000 (UK) or NIS 135,000 (Israel)
• Available to organisations that had not received JCD grants in the previous 12 months
• The new application process under UJIA management is to be announced

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 Have Included:

• 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
• Therapy: Therapy programmes for vulnerable children

Historical Impact:

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

What They Historically Didn't Fund

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

Note: Eligibility criteria under the new UJIA-managed structure are to be confirmed.

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How to Apply to Jewish Child's Day Fund

Current Status

Jewish Child's Day transitioned to become the Jewish Child's Day Fund managed by UJIA in February 2026. The new application process is being developed and will be announced on the UJIA website at https://ujia.org/jcdfund/

Prospective applicants should monitor the UJIA website for updates on how to apply for grants from the Jewish Child's Day Fund.

Historical Application Process

Prior to the transition, the application process included:

Stage 1: Initial Contact

Email the Head of Grants 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 required an organisational visit from JCD representative before funding could be awarded

Historical 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)

Note: Check the UJIA website for updated eligibility criteria under the new fund structure.

Decision Timeline

The decision timeline under the new UJIA-managed structure is to be announced.

Reapplication Policy

Historical policy: Organisations that received grants could not reapply within 12 months of their last award. Updated policy under the new structure should be confirmed through UJIA.

Application Success Factors

Historical Strategic Philosophy

As stated in their former 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."

Historical Key Success Factors:

1. Community Understanding: JCD prioritised understanding each community's unique social, economic, and cultural context. Applicants should demonstrate deep knowledge of the children they 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 sought long-term collaborative partnerships, not one-off funding relationships.

1. Flexibility and Responsiveness: The organisation valued the ability to redirect funds during crises.

1. Smaller Organisations Welcome: JCD actively engaged with smaller charities lacking extensive fundraising resources.

Historical Evaluation Criteria:

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

Note: These historical success factors may inform the approach of the new fund, but applicants should check for updated guidance from UJIA.

Previously Funded Organisations

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 programmes for children with emotional, learning, or physical difficulties
• Kindergarten garden at Kibbutz Be'eri (partnership with UJIA)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Monitor UJIA Website: The application process is being developed under the new structure. Check https://ujia.org/jcdfund/ regularly for updates on how to apply.

1. Emphasise Transformational Impact: Historically, JCD valued projects that created “long-term, meaningful change” in children's lives, not just short-term interventions.

1. Demonstrate Community Context: Show deep understanding of the specific social, economic, and cultural factors affecting the children you serve.

1. Be Specific About Need: Historically, JCD distributed grants across five categories (Health, Equipment, Education, Activities, Therapy). Clearly position your project within a framework of direct benefit to vulnerable children.

1. Smaller Organisations: Historically, JCD proactively sought smaller charities without extensive fundraising capacity.

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

1. Await New Guidelines: Given the transition to UJIA management, await official guidance on eligibility criteria, application processes, and funding priorities under the new structure.

1. Joint UJIA-JCD Mission: The fund is overseen by a joint committee, suggesting that alignment with both organisations' values may be beneficial.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• United Jewish Israel Appeal
• The Sobell Foundation
• The Manny And Brigitta Davidson Charitable Foundation
• Dollond Charitable Trust
• Chasdei Esther
• Alliance Family Foundation Limited
• The M Y A Charitable Trust
• Holmfield Charitable Trust
• David Tannen Charitable Trust
• Latate Limited

References

1. Jewish Child's Day Official Website - www.jcd.uk.com (Historical - now redirects to UJIA)
2. UJIA - Jewish Child's Day Fund - https://ujia.org/jcdfund/
3. UJIA News - "Jewish Child's Day fund created to secure long-term support for vulnerable Jewish children" - https://ujia.org/news/jewish-childs-day-fund-created-to-secure-long-term-support-for-vulnerable-jewish-children
4. Jewish News - "Jewish Child's Day to shut offices after 78 years as UJIA takes over its mission" - https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/jewish-childs-day-to-shut-offices-after-78-years-as-ujia-takes-over-its-mission/
5. The Jewish Chronicle - "Jewish Child's Day to close its office" - https://www.thejc.com/community/jewish-childs-day-to-close-its-office-xrf79shh
6. Jewish Child's Day Historical Grants Page - https://jcd.uk.com/grants/ (Archived)
7. Jewish Child's Day Historical About Us - https://jcd.uk.com/about-us/ (Archived)
8. UK Charity Commission Register - JEWISH CHILD'S DAY (1195764) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1195764
9. UK Charity Commission Register - JEWISH CHILD'S DAY (209266) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=209266
10. Jewish Child's Day - “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/ (Archived)