The Bluston Charitable Settlement

Charity Number: 256691

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £410,806 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Trustees meet in March annually
  • Grant Range: £8,000 - £50,000
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales, with international Jewish causes

Contact Details

Address: c/o Prism The Gift Fund, 20 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8HA

Phone: 020 7486 7760

Email: Not publicly available

Note: The charity is administered by Prism The Gift Fund, which handles the administrative functions of the settlement.

Overview

The Bluston Charitable Settlement was established on 12 September 1968, originally as The Jack Bluston Charitable Settlement. The trust operates with an endowment fund that generates its income, with total income of £900,816 in the year ending April 2024. The charity's mission is to direct income towards charitable institutions as the trustees see fit, with particular emphasis on Jewish education, research, and welfare causes. The settlement supports both UK-based organizations and international Jewish institutions, making strategic grants that typically range from several thousand to £50,000, with annual grant expenditure of approximately £410,806 in 2024 (compared to £614,941 in 2023). The charity maintains a focused approach to grant-making, with decisions made annually by trustees Martin Paisner CBE and Daniel Isaac Dover BA (Hons) FCA.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Bluston Charitable Settlement does not operate formal named grant programs but awards grants through annual trustee decisions. Applications are considered once per year, with trustees meeting in March to award grants.

Types of Funding Available:

  • Research grants
  • Capital funding
  • Equipment costs

Priority Areas

The trust's funding policy focuses on:

  • Education of children: Particularly Jewish educational institutions and schools
  • Capital expenditure projects: For schools and educational establishments
  • Welfare of the underprivileged: Social welfare initiatives
  • Hospitals and medical institutions: Healthcare projects
  • University research projects: Specific research initiatives, particularly in Jewish and Hebraic studies
  • Jewish cultural institutions: Museums and cultural organizations
  • Religious institutions: Synagogues and rabbinical organizations

Recent Grant Examples (2021):

  • British Institute of International & Comparative Law: £50,000
  • Chief Rabbinate Trust: £50,000
  • Jewish Museum: £50,000
  • Ohel Torah Beth David: £30,000
  • London Academy of Jewish Studies: £30,000
  • Jaffa Institute: £25,000
  • University College London, Readership in Rabbinic Studies, Hebrew & Jewish Studies: £12,500
  • School of Oriental and African Studies: £8,000

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals: The charity does not make grants to individuals
  • Organizations outside their priority areas: The trustees focus exclusively on their stated areas of interest
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Mr Martin Paisner CBE: Senior trustee with extensive philanthropic experience. Paisner serves as trustee for several major grant-making foundations including the Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Charitable Foundation and the Dorset Foundation.

Mr Daniel Isaac Dover BA (Hons) FCA: Co-trustee, qualified chartered accountant.

Neither trustee receives remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Administration

The charity is administered by Prism The Gift Fund, a registered charity that provides professional management and administrative services for charitable settlements and donor-advised funds.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Bluston Charitable Settlement does not appear to operate a formal open application process or provide public application guidelines. As a discretionary grant-making trust administered by Prism The Gift Fund, the trustees likely identify beneficiaries through their networks and knowledge of the sector.

To express interest in funding:

  • Contact the charity via phone: 020 7486 7760
  • Write to: The Bluston Charitable Settlement, c/o Prism The Gift Fund, 20 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8HA

Eligibility: Charities and organizations that fall within the stated areas of interest are eligible for consideration.

Decision Timeline

  • Trustee meetings: Held annually in March
  • Decision timeframe: Not publicly disclosed, but as trustees meet once annually, organizations should expect decisions to be made following the March meeting
  • Notification method: Not publicly disclosed

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The charity made grants to multiple organizations in 2021, with the average grant around £15,000, though grants in excess of £50,000 are regularly awarded.

Reapplication Policy

No information is publicly available regarding reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information about the application process, the following factors appear important based on the charity's grant-making patterns:

Alignment with Jewish Education and Welfare

The settlement has a clear focus on Jewish causes, particularly educational institutions. Organizations working in Jewish education, research, Hebrew studies, or serving Jewish communities are well-positioned for support.

Established Institutions

The charity tends to support established organizations with clear track records. Recent beneficiaries include major universities (UCL, SOAS), established cultural institutions (Jewish Museum), and recognized educational bodies (London Academy of Jewish Studies).

Capital and Research Projects

The trust shows particular interest in capital expenditure projects for educational establishments and specific research initiatives at universities. Well-defined projects with clear outcomes may be favored over general operational funding requests.

Strategic Importance

Grants of £50,000 (the trust's higher range) have gone to organizations like the British Institute of International & Comparative Law, the Chief Rabbinate Trust, and the Jewish Museum, suggesting the trustees value organizations with strategic importance to Jewish scholarship, religious leadership, and cultural preservation.

Size and Scope

With annual grant expenditure around £400,000-£600,000, the settlement makes a limited number of grants. Organizations should be prepared for a competitive process and understand that funding availability may vary year to year.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Trustee discretion is paramount: With no formal application process and annual trustee meetings, building awareness of your organization with the trustees and their advisors may be important.
  • Jewish focus is essential: The charity's grant history shows a strong preference for Jewish educational, religious, and cultural causes. Organizations outside this focus are unlikely to receive support.
  • Quality over quantity: The settlement makes strategic grants to established institutions rather than numerous small grants. Your application should emphasize institutional credibility and project significance.
  • Timing matters: With trustees meeting only in March, plan your funding request timeline accordingly. Contact the settlement well in advance of the March meeting.
  • Research and capital projects: The trust specifically supports research grants, capital funding, and equipment costs, making these types of requests more aligned with their funding model.
  • Administration through Prism: As the charity is administered by Prism The Gift Fund, initial inquiries may be handled by Prism's administrative team before reaching the trustees.
  • No grants to individuals: Ensure your organization is a registered charity or eligible charitable organization before approaching the settlement.

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