The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust
Charity Number: 238043
Contact Info
Phone: 020 7079 2506
Email: admin@cwctcharity.org.uk
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £6.89 million (2024)
- Success Rate: Not applicable (invite-only grantmaking)
- Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
- Grant Range: £2,000 - £601,000+ (based on historical grants)
- Geographic Focus: UK (England and Wales) and Israel
Contact Details
Address: 8/10 Hallam Street, London W1W 6NS
Phone: 020 7079 2506
Email: admin@cwctcharity.org.uk
Charity Number: 238043
Note: This charity does not appear to accept unsolicited applications. Contact before submitting proposals.
Overview
The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust was created by Trust Deed on 14 July 1960 and registered as a UK charity on 8 January 1965. It is a private grant-making charity controlled by one branch of the wealthy Wolfson family (distinct from The Wolfson Foundation and The Wolfson Family Charitable Trust). The trust generates income from property and other investments to make grants to registered charities. With £6.89 million in grants made in 2024, the trust operates with broad charitable purposes including the encouragement of medical and surgical studies and research, advancement of medical and surgical science, education, child welfare, religion, and relief of poverty. The trust's grantmaking appears to be proactive and relationship-based rather than responsive to open applications.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust does not operate formal grant programmes with published guidelines. Based on available evidence, the trust makes grants through:
- Proactive/Invite-Only Grantmaking: Trustees identify and approach organizations directly
- No Fixed Application Deadlines: Not applicable for unsolicited applications
Priority Areas
Based on historical grant patterns, the trust has funded:
Think Tanks and Policy Organizations
- Policy research institutes and conservative think tanks
- Organizations focusing on economic policy, social affairs, and public policy research
- Past recipients include Policy Exchange (£601,000 in 2012), Civitas, Social Affairs Unit, Institute of Economic Affairs, and Adam Smith Research Trust
Israel-Related Causes
- Pro-Israel advocacy and diaspora organizations
- Past recipients include Israel-Diaspora Trust and Anglo-Israel Association
- The trust is registered to operate in Israel as well as England and Wales
Medicine, Education, and Welfare
- Medical and surgical studies and research
- Educational advancement
- Child welfare initiatives
- Relief of poverty
What They Don't Fund
Not publicly disclosed, but the trust's historical funding pattern suggests a focus on:
- Established organizations rather than grassroots groups
- Policy-focused organizations
- Organizations with connections to trustees or the Wolfson family interests
Governance and Leadership
Trustees
The Honourable Andrew Daniel Wolfson - Chair (appointed 2020)
Also serves as trustee of Benesco Charity Limited, Beit Halochem UK, and The Music in Secondary Schools Trust.
Lord Jonathan Neil Mendelsohn - Trustee (appointed 2020)
Company Director; also serves as trustee of Franks Family Foundation, Barnet Youth Zone, Follicular Lymphoma Foundation, and Hofenung Foundation.
Related Party Transactions
Historical accounts show related party transactions where trustees had connections to funded organizations. For example, Lord Wolfson of Aspley Guise's connection to Policy Exchange was disclosed when the trust made significant grants to that organization.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
Important: The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust does not appear to accept unsolicited applications.
The trust operates as a proactive grantmaker, with trustees identifying and selecting organizations for funding. There is no published application process, guidelines, or online portal for submitting proposals.
Organizations interested in the trust's support should:
- Contact the trust directly via email (admin@cwctcharity.org.uk) or phone (020 7079 2506) to inquire about potential funding
- Be prepared that the trust may not respond to unsolicited inquiries
- Build relationships through trustee networks or shared organizational connections
Decision Timeline
Not publicly disclosed. Given the proactive nature of grantmaking, timelines likely vary by relationship and opportunity.
Success Rates
Not applicable - the trust does not operate an open application process with measurable success rates.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable given the invite-only nature of grantmaking.
Application Success Factors
Given the limited public information and proactive grantmaking approach, organizations should note:
Relationship-Based Funding
The trust's historical grants suggest that personal connections, trustee relationships, and established organizational credibility are critical. Multi-year grants to the same organizations (such as Policy Exchange receiving funding across multiple years) indicate that building long-term relationships with the trust is important.
Alignment with Trustee Interests
Organizations should consider whether their work aligns with the known interests of the Wolfson family and the current trustees, particularly in areas of:
- Policy research and conservative thought leadership
- Israel-related causes and UK-Israel relations
- Medical research and education
- Areas where trustees serve on other boards
Organizational Profile
Past recipients have been established, well-known organizations with significant track records rather than small or emerging charities. Organizations seeking funding should have:
- Strong governance and financial management
- Established reputation in their field
- Clear policy impact or research outputs
- Professional operations and reporting capabilities
Strategic Approach
Rather than submitting unsolicited applications, organizations should:
- Network within philanthropic circles connected to the Wolfson family
- Seek introductions through shared trustees or contacts
- Attend events or forums where trust representatives may be present
- Build credibility in areas aligned with the trust's historical funding
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- This is not an open application funder: The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust operates through proactive, invite-only grantmaking. Do not submit unsolicited proposals without prior contact and expressed interest from the trust.
- Relationship and network-based: Success depends on personal connections, trustee relationships, or being identified by the trust as aligned with their strategic interests.
- Significant grant capacity: With nearly £7 million in annual grantmaking, individual grants can be substantial (£100,000+), particularly for multi-year commitments to aligned organizations.
- Policy and Israel focus evident: Historical funding shows clear interest in conservative policy think tanks and pro-Israel organizations, though stated objectives are broader.
- Distinct from other Wolfson trusts: Do not confuse with The Wolfson Foundation (charity 206495) or The Wolfson Family Charitable Trust - these are separate organizations with different funding approaches and guidelines.
- Limited public information: The trust maintains a low profile with minimal public-facing information, reinforcing its private, relationship-based approach to philanthropy.
- Direct inquiry recommended: If your organization appears well-aligned, a direct professional inquiry to admin@cwctcharity.org.uk is the only viable approach, though responses should not be expected.
Similar Funders
These funders frequently fund the same charities:
- The Hobson Charity Limited
- Sailors' Children'S Society
- The Bryan Christopher Corrigan Charitable Trust
- The Chandris Foundation
- The E And N Watson Charity
- The Gerald Bentall Charitable Trust
- The Worshipful Company Of Plaisterers Charitable Trust
- Doctor Munshi Foundation
- The E C Sosnow Charitable Trust
- The Joseph And Lena Randall Charitable Trust
References
- UK Charity Commission Register - The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust (238043)
https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=238043
Accessed: January 2025
- UK Charity Commission - Financial History (238043)
Accessed: January 2025
- UK Charity Commission - Trustees Information (238043)
Accessed: January 2025
- Powerbase - The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust
https://powerbase.info/index.php/The_Charles_Wolfson_Charitable_Trust
Accessed: January 2025
(Historical grant information to Policy Exchange, Civitas, and other organizations)
- NGO Explorer - The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust
https://ngoexplorer.org/charity/238043
Accessed: January 2025