The Claims Conference

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately $1 billion globally for social welfare services
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 6-8 months (institutional grants); 10 months (research/education grants)
• Grant Range: Up to $10,000 (capital improvements, not currently accepting applications) - £250,000+ (major programmes)
• Geographic Focus: International (83 countries including UK)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.claimscon.org

Grantee Portal: claimsconference.fluxx.io

Technical Support: fluxxhelp@claimscon.org

General Inquiries: info@claimscon.org

UK Partner Organisation: Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR)

UK Allocation: £13.1 million annually for UK Jewish Nazi victims

Overview

The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) was founded in 1951 by representatives of 23 major international Jewish organisations. With offices in New York, Israel, and Germany, the organisation secures material compensation for Holocaust survivors worldwide and seeks the return of Jewish property stolen during the Holocaust. Since 1952, the Claims Conference has negotiated more than $90 billion in compensation from the German government. The organisation provides grants to more than 300 social welfare agency partners across 83 countries and supports over 200 agencies working on Holocaust research, education, and documentation. The Claims Conference distributes individual compensation and social welfare funding for survivors' needs including home care, medicine, and food. Current President Gideon Taylor leads the organisation's ongoing negotiations with governments and oversight of global grant-making programmes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Social Services Grants (Semi-annual application cycle)

• Homecare/housekeeping services for Holocaust survivors
• Case management programmes
• Food programmes and emergency assistance
• Transportation and medical services
• Socialisation programmes
• Application Method: Online via Fluxx portal, semi-annual deadlines
• Grant Range: Varies by programme scope; major programmes can exceed $250,000
• Capital improvements: The Claims Conference is NOT currently accepting applications for institutional capital projects (previously funded up to $10,000 on matching basis)

Holocaust Research, Education & Documentation Grants

• Application Deadline: March 15 annually
• Decision notification: Approximately 10 months after application deadline
• Grant Range: Varies by project scope
• Matching funds required for all projects

Film Grants

• Development: Up to $25,000 USD
• Production/Post-production: Up to $100,000 USD
• Matching funds required
• Application Method: Online portal with specific deadlines

Priority Areas

Social Services:

• Direct services to vulnerable Jewish Nazi victims
• Homecare and housekeeping for aging Holocaust survivors
• Case management by professional social workers
• Emergency financial assistance for critical needs (rent, medical care, utilities)
• Food programmes and transportation services
• Health and medical-related services
• Socialisation programmes and day centres
• Home modifications for safety and accessibility

Research, Education & Documentation:

• Projects that enhance knowledge and understanding of the Shoah
• Programmes emphasising the Holocaust's unprecedented nature
• Educational initiatives addressing antisemitism history
• Archival projects making materials publicly available online (digitising, cataloguing, indexing)
• Holocaust denial and distortion rejection initiatives
• Programmes incorporating Israel's centrality to Jewish communities destroyed in the Shoah
• Projects with robust evaluation components

Film and New Media:

• Documentary films about the Holocaust
• Projects with strong distribution and educational plans
• Films with historical consultant involvement

What They Don't Fund

For All Programmes:

• 100% of any project cost (matching funds always required)
• Running costs of institutions
• Institutional deficits
• Direct funding to individuals for trips to Nazi atrocity sites
• Applications from individuals (except film/new media with exceptions)

For Research & Education:

• Fine arts projects (art exhibitions, music performances, theatre)
• Research projects submitted by individuals
• Fiction literature
• Personal memoirs
• Commemoration ceremonies
• Programmes with significant travel (will fund only up to 1/3 of total cost)

For Social Services:

• Institutional capital projects (no longer accepting applications)

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Governance and Leadership

President: Gideon Taylor (appointed 2020, succeeding Julius Berman after 18 years)

Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat, Claims Conference Special Negotiator, noted that Gideon Taylor “is held in very high esteem by key government figures in the United States, Israel and in the many governments with which we deal.”

Holocaust survivor Roman Kent, lead negotiator for 25+ years, stated: “I believe that his devotion to Holocaust survivors, his drive and commitment on their behalf and his deep experience dealing with the German, United States and other governments, as well as with the Jewish world, make him uniquely suited to serve as President of the Claims Conference.”

Board Structure: Board of Directors reviews and ratifies all grants based on Allocations Committee recommendations

UK Partner Network:

• Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) - primary partner
• Agudas Israel Community Services
• Bikur Cholim
• Jewish Care/Shalvata

Nearly 400 Nazi victims receive homecare with Claims Conference funds through this UK umbrella network, supported by the £13.1 million UK allocation.

How to Apply to The Claims Conference

How to Apply

Social Services & General Institutional Grants:

• Submit via Claims Conference Grantee Portal at claimsconference.fluxx.io
• Applications accepted on semi-annual basis
• Must be submitted by registered non-profit organisations or research institutions
• Applications must be in English
• Technical support available at fluxxhelp@claimscon.org

Research, Education & Documentation Grants:

• Annual deadline: March 15 at 11:59 pm EST
• Portal opens 4-6 weeks before deadline
• Must include robust evaluation component
• Applications in English only

Film Grants:

• Separate application portal at film.claimscon.org
• Rolling or specific deadlines (check portal for current dates)
• Individuals may apply with certain exceptions

Decision Timeline

Social Services/Institutional Grants:

1. Application submitted via Fluxx portal
2. Acknowledgment email sent upon receipt
3. Thorough review by Claims Conference staff (6-8 months total)
4. Allocations Committee prepares recommendations
5. Board of Directors reviews summary booklet
6. Board ratification by majority vote
7. Official Allocation Letter sent to approved institutions

Research & Education Grants:

1. Application deadline: March 15
2. Review process: Approximately 10 months
3. Notification of decision: Approximately 10 months after application deadline

Film Grants:

• Timeline varies by application cycle
• Check specific deadlines on film grants portal

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Claims Conference notes that funding is competitive and not all projects will be awarded funding. Projects may receive less funding than requested.

Reapplication Policy

Film Grants: Denied applicants may reapply once after at least one year from first application date.

Other Programmes: Specific reapplication policies not publicly disclosed. Applicants should contact the Claims Conference directly for guidance on resubmissions.

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirements

Matching Funds: All projects require matching funds. The grantee is responsible for securing remaining funding sources. The Claims Conference never funds 100% of project costs.

Evaluation Plans: All proposals must include evaluation plans, and evaluations must be shared with the Claims Conference. Applications for funding above $250,000 require detailed evaluation plans and budgets.

Reimbursement Basis: All funding provided on reimbursement basis only. No advance payments.

Strategic Guidance

For Social Services:

• Focus on direct services to vulnerable Jewish Nazi victims
• Demonstrate capacity to deliver services through professional social workers
• Show how services address critical needs (homecare, food, medical, emergency assistance)
• Work through established partner networks when possible

For Research & Education:

• Emphasise robust evaluation components (mandatory for consideration)
• Demonstrate commitment to rejecting Holocaust denial, distortion, and trivialisation
• Focus on the Holocaust's unprecedented nature
• Include educational distribution plans
• Make archival materials publicly available online

For Film Projects:

• Include strong distribution plans for both educational and non-educational platforms
• Work with historical consultants throughout development and production
• Allocate budget funds for historical consultations (highly recommended)
• Demonstrate educational value and historical accuracy

Language and Terminology

The Claims Conference consistently uses specific terminology:

• “Jewish Nazi victims” (not just “Holocaust survivors”)
• “Shoah” interchangeably with “Holocaust”
• Focus on “material compensation” and “restitution”
• Emphasis on “unprecedented nature” of the Holocaust

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Requesting 100% funding (automatic rejection)
• Omitting matching funds strategy
• Weak or absent evaluation plans
• Programmes focused primarily on travel
• Individual applications for institutional grant programmes
• Applications for running costs or deficit coverage
• Projects that don't directly serve Nazi victims or advance Holocaust memory

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Matching funds are mandatory: Never request 100% funding. Clearly demonstrate your strategy for securing the remainder, as this is a fundamental requirement.

• Evaluation is non-negotiable: Build robust evaluation plans into every application, especially for research and education projects. Budget for external evaluators if requesting over $250,000.

• Timeline planning is critical: With 6-8 month decision timelines (10 months for education/research), plan applications well in advance of when funding is needed. All payments are reimbursement-only.

• Focus on direct beneficiaries: For social services, emphasise how your programme directly serves vulnerable Jewish Nazi victims. For education/research, show clear Holocaust memory advancement.

• Partner with UK networks: For UK applicants, consider partnering with established Claims Conference partners like AJR, Jewish Care, or other umbrella network members.

• Historical accuracy matters: Especially for film and education grants, budget for and demonstrate commitment to historical consultants and academic rigour.

• Distribution and accessibility: For education and film projects, strong distribution plans and plans to make materials publicly available significantly strengthen applications.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Rothschild Foundation (hanadiv) Europe
• The Association Of Jewish Refugees (ajr)
• The Wolfson Family Charitable Trust
• The Gerald And Gail Ronson Family Foundation
• The Archie Sherman Charitable Trust
• The European Association For Jewish Studies
• The Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation
• The Charles Hayward Foundation
• The Allen Lane Foundation
• The Pilgrim Trust

References

1. Claims Conference Official Website - Applications for Grants. https://www.claimscon.org/for-agencies/applications/

1. Claims Conference - General Guidelines for Institutional Grants. https://www.claimscon.org/for-agencies/applications/guidelines/general-guidelines-for-allocations/

1. Claims Conference - Grants Process. https://www.claimscon.org/for-agencies/applications/process/

1. Claims Conference - Holocaust Research Education & Documentation Guidelines. https://www.claimscon.org/for-agencies/applications/guidelines/holocaust-research-education-documentation/

1. Claims Conference - Film Grants Application Guidelines. https://film.claimscon.org/guidelines/

1. Claims Conference - United Kingdom Regional Information. https://www.claimscon.org/regions/western-europe/united-kingdom/

1. Claims Conference - Guide to Services Funded by Claims Conference Grants. https://www.claimscon.org/for-agencies/services-funded/

1. Claims Conference Press Release - “Over $1 Billion In Home Care Secured By The Claims Conference For Holocaust Survivors Globally.” October 2025. https://www.claimscon.org/2025/10/negotiations-25/

1. Claims Conference Press Release - “Claims Conference Announces $720 Million USD To 300 Social Welfare Organisations Globally To Support Holocaust Survivors.” March 2022. https://www.claimscon.org/2022/03/claims-conference-announces-720-million-usd-to-300-social-welfare-organisations-globally-to-support-holocaust-survivors/

1. Claims Conference - About Us and Leadership. https://www.claimscon.org/about/

1. Claims Conference - “Claims Conference Announces New Board President.” July 2020. https://www.claimscon.org/2020/07/claims-conference-announces-new-board-president/

1. Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) - Claims Conference Information. https://ajr.org.uk/service/claims-conference/

1. Claims Conference Wikipedia Entry. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claims_Conference