The Children's Aid Committee Charitable Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £168,623 (FY 2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £168,436 (FY 2024)
• 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) to £5,000 (Small grants)
• 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 £168,623 (FY 2024), the organization 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 totaling hundreds of thousands of pounds to hundreds of organizations over the decades. Patroned by Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, with Vice Presidents Alan Grant and Michael Green, 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 Programs

The Children's Aid Committee operates through quarterly funding meetings with different grant streams:

• Small Grants (March and October meetings): Up to £5,000
• Priority Area Grants (June and December meetings): Amount varies based on project
• Schools & Shuls Initiative: Up to £2,000 (requires matching funds from applicant) - £100,000 allocated over 4 years
• Summer Schemes (March meeting): For holiday programs
• Winter Schemes (October meeting): For winter holiday programs

Applications accepted on rolling basis with quarterly deadlines. All applications require up-to-date statutory accounts.

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 center staffing and programs
• 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 programs 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:

• Organizations 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 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Jonathan Ashley Steinberg FCA (Chair)
• Dawn Rebecca Frangi FCA
• Warren Spencer Starr FCA
• Henry Minkoff
• Abraham David Landy

Patron: Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis

Vice Presidents:

• Alan Grant
• Michael Green

The committee includes experienced financial professionals (FCAs) ensuring strong fiscal oversight. The organization has stated: “We have always recognized the changing face of the Jewish community and are continuously examining our funding policies.”

Application Process and Timeline

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 organization's Safeguarding policy
5. Email completed application to info@thecac.org.uk before the relevant meeting deadline

Applications must be received by the deadline for the specific quarterly meeting.

Decision Timeline

• Committee Review: Applications reviewed at quarterly 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

Quarterly Meeting Schedule

The committee meets quarterly with different focus areas:

• March: Small grants up to £5,000 and Summer Schemes
• June: Priority area grants
• October: Small grants and Winter Schemes
• December: Priority area grants

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

Organizations 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 prioritized. Applications should articulate how programs 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 organization'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

• Prioritize 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
• Match the meeting cycle: Target the appropriate quarterly meeting based on your project type (small grants vs. priority areas vs. seasonal schemes)
• Jewish identity is central: Clearly articulate how your program 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

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