Sarah Jane Leigh Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £384,299 (2023/24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (grants vary by project)
• Geographic Focus: UK-based charities, particularly London area

Contact Details

Website: https://sjlcharitabletrust.org

Email: lingoldkorn@aol.com

Phone: 07956828471

Address: 21e Highgate Close, London

Overview

The Sarah Jane Leigh Charitable Trust (Charity No. 1189202) was established in 2020 in memory of Sarah Jane Leigh, who passed away in August 2015 in New York. Founded by Sarah and her cousin Lindy Goldkorn, the Trust aims to help vulnerable children and their families overcome challenges inclusively and compassionately. The charity focuses on supporting mental health and wellbeing through transformational programs, partnering with UK-based charities that align with their mission. Despite relatively modest income (£19,029 in 2023/24), the Trust deployed substantial resources (£384,299 in charitable expenditure) to support partner organizations, drawing on reserves to make meaningful impact. The Trust takes a collaborative approach, working closely with partner charities to create impactful mental health services for vulnerable communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust does not operate formal grant programs with fixed amounts or deadlines. Instead, they provide flexible support to partner organizations through a relationship-based approach. Recent grants have included:

• Year-long project grants: Supporting significant initiatives like the Museum of Homelessness therapeutic community garden (2024)
• Program-specific funding: Such as making the first year of the Museum of Homelessness's SHIFT leadership programme free for participants
• Multi-year partnerships: Ongoing support for organizations like Haringey Shed for theatre projects

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses on:

• Children and young people's mental health: Supporting therapeutic interventions, creative arts programs, and development initiatives
• Vulnerable families: Programs that address family wellbeing and support systems
• Community-based mental health services: Projects that promote belonging, independence, and community involvement
• Therapeutic and creative interventions: Including farming therapy, arts empowerment, performing arts, and horticultural therapy
• Homelessness and displacement: Supporting organizations working with homeless and displaced populations
• Bullying and online culture: Projects addressing modern mental health challenges facing young people

Organizations previously supported include: CREATE (arts empowerment), Haringey Shed (inclusive theatre), Jamie's Farm (farming therapy), Museum of Homelessness, JAMI Mental Health, Woodford Homes, Ben Uri Gallery, Museum of Monotropism, Kentish Town City Farm, and Comic Relief.

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but based on their focus, they likely do not fund:

• Organizations outside the UK
• Projects unrelated to mental health and wellbeing
• General operating costs without clear mental health outcomes
• Capital projects without therapeutic elements

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (all appointed 2020):

Lindy Goldkorn (Chair/Founder): Group Analyst and Psychotherapist with NHS experience. Cousin of Sarah Jane Leigh, she co-founded the Trust and is focused on “supporting vulnerable communities, and supporting mental health and well-being.”

Gabriella Brooke: Background with the Department for Education, studied Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology, and currently training as a child therapist. Dedicated to “improving the mental health and development of children.”

Leah Goldkorn: Extensive community outreach experience including volunteering internationally in Ghana and Calais refugee camp. Has fundraised for homeless and social support charities. Committed to “supporting disadvantaged, homeless and displaced people.”

Executive Administrator:

Sarah Whitney: Long-term asset to the Leigh Family since 1989, with expertise in leadership, management, and nonprofit operations. Skilled in networking and financial management, ensuring “projects and initiatives are executed with the highest standards of ethical conduct.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Trust operates through a relationship-based model, identifying and partnering with charities that align with their mission. Grants appear to be made at the discretion of the trustees based on their knowledge of the sector and direct engagement with organizations.

The Trust's approach emphasizes collaboration and partnership rather than competitive applications. They work closely with supported organizations to understand needs and develop appropriate funding relationships.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no formal application rounds or decision timelines are published.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only nature of funding.

Application Success Factors

Since this Trust operates on an invitation-only, relationship-based model, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that align with the Trust's priorities are more likely to come onto their radar:

Mission Alignment: The Trust seeks charities with demonstrated commitment to mental health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations, particularly children and families. Their website emphasizes they partner with “like-minded charities.”

Therapeutic Approach: Many supported organizations incorporate therapeutic elements - farming therapy (Jamie's Farm), creative arts therapy (CREATE, Haringey Shed), horticultural therapy (Museum of Homelessness garden). This suggests the trustees value evidence-based or trauma-informed approaches.

Community Impact: The Trust emphasizes projects that “benefit and impact local communities by equipping individuals with knowledge and skills” and foster “a sense of belonging and independence.”

London/Regional Connection: While not explicitly stated, many supported organizations operate in the London area, particularly North London (Haringey, Finsbury Park), suggesting possible geographic preference.

Trustee Expertise: Given Gabriella Brooke's Department for Education background and child therapy training, projects focused on children and education-based interventions may resonate. Lindy Goldkorn's NHS psychotherapy background suggests clinical credibility is valued.

The Trust's support for organizations like the Museum of Homelessness (where they funded both capital development and program access) and Haringey Shed (multi-project partnership) indicates they value long-term partnerships over one-off grants.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not an open application funder - they identify and approach organizations rather than accepting unsolicited applications
• Building sector relationships is key - being active in the mental health, children's services, or therapeutic intervention space in the UK (particularly London) increases visibility
• Therapeutic credibility matters - trustees have clinical and educational backgrounds and support evidence-based approaches
• Think partnership, not transaction - the Trust appears to build ongoing relationships with supported organizations rather than making one-off grants
• Focus areas are clear - mental health and wellbeing of vulnerable children, families, and displaced populations through therapeutic and creative interventions
• Contact details provided - while they don't accept applications, having a direct email and phone number suggests they are approachable for relationship-building conversations
• Financial capacity is significant - despite modest income, they deployed £384,299 in 2023/24, indicating substantial reserves and commitment to their mission

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The John Armitage Charitable Trust
• Bernard Lewis Family Charitable Trust
• The Kristina Martin Charitable Trust
• ODIN CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Payback Time Trust
• Chapman Charitable Trust
• The Glastonbury Trust CIO
• THE LINBURY TRUST
• Duke of Devonshire's Charitable Trust
• The George Goodsir Charitable Trust

References

• Sarah Jane Leigh Charitable Trust official website: https://sjlcharitabletrust.org
• Sarah Jane Leigh Charitable Trust “About Us” page: https://sjlcharitabletrust.org/about-us/
• Sarah Jane Leigh Charitable Trust “Meet the Team” page: https://sjlcharitabletrust.org/meet-the-team/
• UK Charity Commission Register of Charities, Charity No. 1189202: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1189202
• Museum of Homelessness news announcement about 2024 opening programme and funding acknowledgment
• Various charity directory listings including Giving is Great, Find that Charity, and Charity Choice