Joseph Levy Foundation

Charity Number: 1165225

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

Geographic Focus: Northern Ireland, Scotland, Throughout England And Wales

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Quick Stats

Annual Giving: £300,000+ (minimum commitment)
Success Rate: Not publicly available (proactive/invitation-based model)
Decision Time: Not specified (proactive approach)
Grant Range: £5,000 - £25,000 (typical range)
Geographic Focus: UK (with historical support in Israel)
Age Focus: Young people under 35

Contact Details

Address: 1 Bell Street, London NW1 5BY

Phone: 020 7616 1200

Email: info@jlf.org.uk

Website: www.jlf.org.uk

Note: Do not attend the office address unless you have a scheduled meeting.

Overview

The Joseph Levy Foundation was established in 1965 by Joseph Levy, a key figure in London's post-war regeneration. For six decades, the foundation has supported vital causes including young people, cystic fibrosis research, and dementia care. With total grants exceeding £5.7 million distributed to 82 recipients since 2018, the foundation has launched its 2025-2030 strategy with a sharpened focus on supporting disadvantaged young people under 35. The foundation operates primarily through a proactive, invitation-based grantmaking model, actively identifying organizations to support rather than accepting unsolicited applications. Their approach emphasizes unrestricted core funding, “common-sense reporting,” and building long-term partnerships with trusted organizations tackling systemic inequality.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Core Grantmaking Programme

Grant Range: £5,000 - £25,000 (typical unrestricted grants)
Annual Commitment: Minimum £300,000 in grants
Application Method: Primarily proactive/invitation-based (foundation identifies and invites organizations)
Funding Type: Predominantly unrestricted core funding with occasional project funding
Multi-year Funding: Available for select partners
Top-up Grants: Available for existing grantees

Joseph Levy Education Fund (separate programme)

Administered by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Grants up to £660 for people with cystic fibrosis pursuing education
Decision panel meets twice yearly (June and December)

Priority Areas

The foundation's 2025-2030 strategy focuses exclusively on:

Disadvantaged Young People Under 35: Organizations supporting young people facing systemic barriers to opportunity
Tackling Systemic Inequality: Projects addressing deep-rooted disparities in structures, policies, and practices
Fair Access to Opportunities: Initiatives helping young people access resources needed to flourish
Holistic Support: Organizations addressing root causes rather than just providing services

Recent grant recipients include:

Youth zones and community organizations (e.g., Barking and Dagenham Youth Zone - £18,000)
Arts organizations serving young people (e.g., Resonate Arts - £5,250; National Theatre - £20,000 project funding)
Community support projects (e.g., Peckham Soup Kitchen - £15,000; The Southmead Project - £20,000)
Healthcare charities (e.g., UCLH Charity - £25,000 project funding)
Educational institutions (e.g., Chelsea Community Hospital School - £10,000)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not currently accept unsolicited applications. While specific exclusions are not detailed on their website, their current strategy is tightly focused on disadvantaged young people under 35 in the UK.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Jane Jason OBE (Chair, appointed 2016)

Background in dementia care; previously led Dementia UK. Passionate about supporting vulnerable populations.

James Jason (Trustee, appointed 2016)

Commercial property director with strong interest in cystic fibrosis support; actively involved with Cystic Fibrosis Holiday Fund.

Katy Ellison (Trustee)

Primary and SEN teacher with expertise in educational grants, particularly for young people with cystic fibrosis and autism.

Mark Jason (Trustee)

Art world consultant interested in “sport, art and creative projects for disadvantaged young people.”

Claire Brown (Trustee)

Non-practicing solicitor and business consultant.

Henry Donne (Trustee)

Investment Director at Rathbones Plc, overseeing foundation's investment strategy.

Note: No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Staff

Denise Ramsey - Executive Director (20+ years nonprofit leadership experience)

Ben Brahams - Assistant Administrator (longest-serving employee; supports Resources for Autism)

Ragini Majithia - Finance Manager (chartered accountant specializing in nonprofits)

Alex Murtough - Operations Manager (experience across startup, public, and private sectors)

Foundation Philosophy

The foundation is guided by the principle: “We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give” (attributed to founder Joseph Levy and his son Lawrence).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Primary Method: Proactive/Invitation-Based

The Joseph Levy Foundation uses a proactive approach to identify organizations they wish to support. They actively seek out and invite specific organizations rather than operating through an open application process.

For Organizations Interested in Support:

Contact the foundation to express interest: info@jlf.org.uk or 020 7616 1200
The foundation may consider approaches from organizations that align strongly with their mission
Building relationships and demonstrating alignment with their values is essential

Eligibility Requirements

UK-based organizations with charitable purposes (registered charities, CICs, etc.)
Robust safeguarding policies and procedures
Up-to-date accounts and reporting
Focus on supporting disadvantaged young people under 35
Commitment to tackling systemic inequality

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified, as the foundation operates through a proactive identification and invitation model rather than fixed application cycles.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available due to the invitation-based model. The foundation has made 123 grants to 82 recipients since 2018, demonstrating a pattern of supporting multiple organizations over time with potential for repeat funding.

Reapplication Policy

Information about unsuccessful applications is held for historical purposes. The foundation has supported organizations with multi-year and top-up funding, suggesting that successful grantees can receive additional support. Specific reapplication policies for invited organizations that were not initially funded are not publicly detailed.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Foundation Values

The foundation seeks partners demonstrating:

Equity and Inclusivity: Targeting resources toward young people experiencing the greatest disadvantage
Connectivity and Collaboration: Recognizing that complex problems require creative, collaborative solutions
Commitment and Integrity: Being reliable, dedicated, open, honest, and clear in intention
Innovation and Imagination: Ambitious thinking about what can be achieved with new approaches
Engagement and Joy for Life: Developing trusted relationships within communities

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Focus on Root Causes: The foundation explicitly states they "don't fund services, activities and programmes - they want to help shift the conditions that make services necessary in the first place"
Tackling Systemic Inequality: Recent funded organizations demonstrate commitment to addressing deep-rooted structural disparities
Flexible Age Understanding: The foundation recognizes that “every person transitions into adulthood at different rates, and unnecessarily stringent age brackets can strip support from young people when they need it most” (supporting up to age 35)
Strong Safeguarding: Robust safeguarding approaches are essential given the focus on young people
Clear Organizational Health: Up-to-date accounts and transparent reporting demonstrate organizational stability

Partnership Approach

The foundation emphasizes that “financial support alone is not enough.” They offer:

Access to networks and additional support
Young Advisory Board opportunities (6-8 paid positions for young people with training)
Cultural Learning Days for young people connected to funded organizations
Partnership opportunities for collaborative work

Project Examples

Recent funding demonstrates interest in:

Youth Development: Youth zones providing safe spaces and opportunities
Arts and Culture: Creative projects for disadvantaged young people (aligned with trustee Mark Jason's interests)
Community Infrastructure: Organizations providing holistic community support
Healthcare Access: Projects supporting young people with health challenges
Education: Alternative education settings for vulnerable young people

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Relationship-Building is Essential: The foundation operates through proactive identification. Building awareness of your work and demonstrating alignment with their values is critical before formal engagement.

Think Systemically, Not Transactionally: Emphasize how your work addresses root causes and systemic barriers rather than just providing services. The foundation wants to “shift the conditions that make services necessary.”

Demonstrate Strong Safeguarding: With a focus on young people under 35, robust safeguarding policies and procedures are non-negotiable.

Emphasize Unrestricted Impact: The foundation prefers unrestricted core funding. Show how flexible support would strengthen your organization's ability to address systemic inequality.

Age 35 is a Flexible Ceiling: The foundation recognizes that transitions to adulthood vary. If your work serves slightly older young people who are disadvantaged, don't self-exclude—explain the context.

Value Partnership Beyond Money: Be prepared to engage with the foundation's broader support network, Young Advisory Board, and cultural learning opportunities. Show enthusiasm for collaboration.

Align with Foundation Values: Use language reflecting equity, collaboration, integrity, innovation, and community engagement. Quote their values in applications if genuinely aligned.