The Children's Aid Committee Charitable Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £139,478 (FY 2023)
• Annual Expenditure: £187,813 (FY 2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Decisions made on meeting day; applicants notified within 7 days
• Grant Range: Up to £2,000 (Schools & Shuls Initiative with matching requirement)
• Geographic Focus: London and Home Counties
• Reapplication: Must wait one year from completion of previous grant

Contact Details

Website: www.thecac.org.uk

Email: info@thecac.org.uk

Phone: 0208 3711646

Address: PO Box 68019, London NW4 9HN

Overview

Established in 1955, The Children's Aid Committee Charitable Fund is a charitable trust dedicated to “Investing in Jewish Youth.” With annual income of approximately £139,478 (FY 2023), the organisation provides grant aid to sustain effective youth provision for young Jewish people in their leisure time across London and the Home Counties. The charity has provided grants totalling hundreds of thousands of pounds to hundreds of organisations over the decades. Patroned by Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, with Vice Presidents Alan Grant, Michael Green, and Anthony Littman, the committee has continuously adapted to the changing face of the Jewish community, regularly examining and updating their funding policies to meet evolving needs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The Children's Aid Committee operates through funding meetings with applications accepted on a rolling basis:

• Schools & Shuls Initiative: Up to £2,000 (requires matching funds from applicant) - £100,000 allocated over 4 years for lunchtime and after-school clubs in schools and Shabbat afternoon programmes in synagogues

All applications require up-to-date statutory accounts and a current Safeguarding policy.

Priority Areas

Top Priority:

• Leadership and professional development of youth workers and those working with young people active in the community

High Priority:

• Innovative grants that promote Jewish identity and enhance resilience

General Funding Areas:

• Youth centre staffing and programmes
• Synagogue youth clubs
• Holiday schemes
• Special needs projects
• Israel Experience scholarships
• After-school clubs
• Youth arts projects
• Equipment and capital projects
• Lunchtime clubs in schools
• Shabbat afternoon programmes in synagogues

Eligibility:

• Must be registered charities operating in London and Home Counties
• Must serve children and young people up to age 21 of the Jewish faith
• Must provide facilities for leisure time recreational activities

What They Don't Fund

The charity's objects specifically limit funding to:

• Organisations serving young persons of the Jewish faith only
• Activities within London and Home Counties region only
• Recreational and youth development activities (not other charitable purposes)

Ready to write a winning application for The Children's Aid Committee Charitable Fund?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save hours and increase your success rate.

Learn more >

Governance and Leadership

Chair: Marc Herman

The charity is governed by 5 trustees who are responsible for controlling the work, management and administration of the charity on behalf of its beneficiaries.

Patron: Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis

Vice Presidents:

• Alan Grant
• Michael Green
• Anthony Littman

The organisation has stated: “We have always recognised the changing face of the Jewish community and are continuously examining our funding policies.”

How to Apply to The Children's Aid Committee Charitable Fund

How to Apply

1. Download the Grant Application Form from www.thecac.org.uk (available in Word or PDF format)
2. Complete the application form demonstrating clearly how the project meets current priorities
3. Prepare up-to-date statutory accounts
4. Include a copy of your organisation's Safeguarding policy
5. Email completed application to info@thecac.org.uk

Applications must already have a charity number to be processed.

Decision Timeline

• Committee Review: Applications reviewed at committee meetings
• Site Visits: May be conducted for some applications
• Decision: Made on the day of the meeting
• Notification: Applicants notified within 7 days of the meeting
• Total Timeline: Typically 1-2 weeks from meeting date to notification

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The charity has supported “hundreds of organisations” over its 70-year history, suggesting a broad reach within the Jewish youth sector in London and Home Counties.

Reapplication Policy

Organisations must wait one year from the date of a completed grant before being able to apply again. This one-year waiting period applies from grant completion, not from the award date.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Clear Alignment with Priorities:

Applications must “demonstrate clearly how the project meets our current priorities” - this is explicitly stated in their guidelines. Priority ranking matters, with leadership development of youth workers being the top priority.

Up-to-Date Documentation:

Applications require up-to-date statutory accounts - ensure all financial documentation is current before applying.

Safeguarding:

Must submit Safeguarding policy with application, demonstrating commitment to child protection and safety standards.

Jewish Identity and Resilience:

Innovative approaches that promote Jewish identity and enhance resilience among young people are specifically prioritised. Applications should articulate how programmes strengthen Jewish connection and build resilience.

Geographic Eligibility:

Must operate within London and Home Counties - be explicit about your geographic reach and beneficiary location.

Age Range:

Activities must serve children and young people up to age 21 - clearly state the age groups served.

Matching Funds (Schools & Shuls Initiative):

For the Schools & Shuls grants up to £2,000, applicants must match the grant amount - demonstrate your organisation's financial commitment and capacity to match.

Professional Development Focus:

Given the top priority on youth worker development, applications that include training, professional development, or capacity-building for staff are strategically positioned.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Prioritise leadership development: Applications focused on youth worker training and professional development receive top priority - frame your project to include this element where possible
• Quick turnaround: With decisions made on meeting day and notification within 7 days, the process is notably faster than many funders
• Plan ahead for reapplication: The one-year waiting period from grant completion means you need to factor this into long-term funding strategies
• Jewish identity is central: Clearly articulate how your programme promotes Jewish identity and builds resilience in young people
• Demonstrate innovation: The second priority explicitly values innovative approaches - show what makes your approach distinctive
• Safeguarding is essential: Have your safeguarding policy ready as a mandatory requirement for all applications
• Matching requirement: For Schools & Shuls Initiative grants, be prepared to match the funding amount requested

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Shaarei Rachamim Limited
• The City And Diocese Of London Voluntary Schools Fund
• The Mrs Smith And Mount Trust
• Sows Charity
• All Aboard Shops Limited
• T & S Trust Fund
• Hitchin Youth Trust
• The United Reformed Church (southern Synod) Trust Limited
• J & J Charitable Trust Limited
• Rand's Educational Foundation

References

1. The Children's Aid Committee Charitable Fund official website - www.thecac.org.uk
2. The Children's Aid Committee Charitable Fund - About Us page: https://www.thecac.org.uk/about-us/
3. The Children's Aid Committee Charitable Fund - Grant Applications page: https://www.thecac.org.uk/grant-applications/
4. The Children's Aid Committee Charitable Fund - Objects of the Fund: https://www.thecac.org.uk/objects-of-the-fund/
5. Charity Commission Register - THE CHILDREN'S AID COMMITTEE CHARITABLE FUND (Charity Number 1177803): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5113782
6. Charity Commission Register - Trustee Information for Charity 1177803
7. Charity Commission Register - Financial Information for Charity 1177803, FY ending 31 December 2023