The Elliott Simmons Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 1038541
• Annual Giving: £339,303 (2024)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: UK and overseas
• Application Method: No public application process
• Founded: 1994

Contact Details

Address: Devonshire House, 1 Devonshire Street, London W1W 5DR

Phone: 020 7304 2000

Email: Not publicly available

Website: No dedicated website

Overview

The Elliott Simmons Charitable Trust was established in 1994 following the death of Elliott Simmons at age 59. Elliott Simmons was extremely proud of his Jewish heritage and maintained a close connection to Israel throughout his life. In his later years, he suffered from mental health issues but maintained a positive outlook. Having substantial family wealth and no close family connections, he requested that upon his death he wanted to support charities involved in mental health issues and music, the two great loves of his life. A private charitable trust was established in his name to ensure his wishes were complied with. The trust makes grants to registered charitable organisations and to organisations with charitable objects which are exempt from the requirement for charitable registration, operating both in the UK and overseas. In the year ending April 2024, the trust distributed £339,303 in grants, significantly exceeding its income of £49,605, indicating the trust is drawing on its capital to fulfill its charitable mission.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The trust focuses on two main areas reflecting Elliott Simmons' personal wishes:

Mental Health: The trust prioritizes mental health charities, particularly those serving the Jewish community. This reflects Elliott Simmons' own experience with mental health challenges and his desire to support others facing similar issues.

Music: Supporting music-related charitable causes was identified as “the other great love” of Elliott Simmons' life.

Jewish Community Organizations: While not exclusively focused on Jewish charities, the trust has demonstrated strong support for organizations serving the Jewish community, particularly those addressing mental health needs and supporting individuals with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Israel-Connected Programs: Given Elliott Simmons' close connection to Israel and his Jewish identity, the trust supports programs connecting young people to Israel.

Known Beneficiaries

The trust has supported several organizations including:

• Jami (Jewish mental health charity): The trust funded Jami's Hub in Finchley, now known as the Elliott Simmons Centre for Wellbeing, and provided a substantial grant to refurbish Head Room café in Golders Green, a social enterprise established by Jami in 2016 that provides mental health support alongside kosher food and beverages.

• Maccabi GB: The trust supports the Elliott Simmons Challenge Israel Tour, a longstanding program enabling young Jews with SEND to travel to Israel with appropriate support.

• Langdon: The organization partners with Maccabi GB on the Elliott Simmons Challenge Israel Tour for young people with special needs.

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions are publicly documented, though the trust's funding pattern suggests a focus on mental health, music, Jewish community organizations, and causes aligned with Elliott Simmons' personal values.

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by 3 trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The names of the trustees are not publicly disclosed in readily accessible sources. The trust operates as a private charitable trust with trustees making grant decisions based on Elliott Simmons' stated wishes to support mental health and music-related charitable causes.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Elliott Simmons Charitable Trust operates as a private trust with grants awarded at the discretion of the trustees. There is no publicly available application form, guidelines, or submission process. Grants appear to be made to organizations that align with Elliott Simmons' wishes regarding mental health and music, particularly within the Jewish community.

The trust identifies and supports beneficiaries through trustee discretion, focusing on causes that would have been “close to his heart” based on his life experiences and stated wishes.

Getting on Their Radar

The trustees have stated they are “extremely happy to support” causes knowing they would have been something close to Elliott Simmons' heart. Organizations working in mental health (particularly Jewish mental health), music, support for individuals with SEND, and Israel-connected programs for young people may wish to consider relationship-building approaches:

• Connections through supported organizations: The trust has established long-term relationships with organizations like Jami, Maccabi GB, and Langdon. These organizations may provide networking opportunities within the Jewish charitable sector.

• Jewish community sector events: Given the trust's focus on Jewish community organizations, engagement in Jewish communal events and networks in North London may provide opportunities for trustees to become aware of aligned organizations.

Application Success Factors

Since the trust operates without a public application process, success in receiving funding appears to depend on:

Alignment with Elliott Simmons' Values: Organizations must align with mental health support or music, the two causes Elliott Simmons specifically identified. The trustees work to ensure “his wishes were complied with.”

Jewish Community Connection: While not exclusively required, the trust has demonstrated strong support for Jewish community organizations, reflecting Elliott Simmons' pride in his Jewish heritage.

Mental Health Focus: Organizations addressing mental health challenges, particularly those affecting populations Elliott Simmons cared about, align strongly with the trust's mission.

Long-term Impact: The trust has made substantial capital grants (such as the Jami Hub and Head Room café refurbishment) suggesting interest in projects with lasting community benefit rather than ongoing operational support.

SEND and Inclusion: The trust supports the Elliott Simmons Challenge Israel Tour specifically because it enables young people with SEND to participate in experiences they might otherwise be excluded from, suggesting value placed on inclusive programming.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a private trust without a public application process - unsolicited applications are unlikely to be successful
• The trust focuses on mental health and music, with particular emphasis on Jewish community organizations
• Trustees make decisions based on what would have been "close to Elliott Simmons' heart" - alignment with his personal values and experiences is critical
• The trust makes substantial capital grants (£339,303 distributed in 2024) rather than small recurring grants
• Organizations already supported by the trust include Jami (mental health), Maccabi GB, and Langdon (SEND programs)
• Building connections within the North London Jewish charitable sector may provide the best route to trustee awareness
• The trust operates with 3 unpaid trustees who are committed to honoring Elliott Simmons' legacy

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Bernard Lewis Family Charitable Trust
• THE SYBIL SHINE MEMORIAL TRUST
• THE A M CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Gerald and Gail Ronson Family Foundation
• THE AIMWELL CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Lynne and Nigel Ross Charitable Trust
• Cannon Charitable Trust
• DAVID & RUTH LEWIS FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Jeremy and John Sacher Charitable Trust
• The Pauline and Harold Berman Charitable Trust

References

• UK Charity Commission Register, The Elliott Simmons Charitable Trust (Charity Number 1038541), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1038541&subid=0
• Jami UK, "Party celebrates benefactor's life,", https://jamiuk.org/chanukah-party-celebrates-life-of-generous-benefactor/
• Maccabi GB, “Elliott Simmons Challenge Israel Tour,”, https://www.maccabigb.org/challengetour
• Charity I Choose, “The Elliott Simmons Charitable Trust,”, https://www.charityichoose.com/london/general-charitable-purposes/the-elliott-simmons-charitable-trust
• The Jewish Chronicle, “Jami moves into new era with Finchley purchase,”
• Langdon UK, “Elliott Simmons Challenge Israel Tour 2023 - Parents Meeting,”, https://langdonuk.org/event/elliott-simmons-challenge-israel-tour-2023