The Exilarch's Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £6,801,466 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only grantmaking)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: £10,000 - £5,000,000+
• Geographic Focus: UK (particularly London), Israel, United States
• Total Assets: £101,036,111

Contact Details

Address: 4 Carlos Place, London W1K 3AW

Phone: 020 7399 0850

Email: Not publicly available

Website: dangooreducation.com (subsidiary organization)

The foundation does not appear to accept unsolicited applications or operate an open application process.

Overview

The Exilarch's Foundation was established in 1978 (registered 12 July 1978) by the late Sir Naim Dangoor and is now led by his sons David, Michael, and Elie Dangoor as trustees. With total assets exceeding £101 million and annual charitable expenditure of approximately £6.8 million, the foundation operates as a proactive grantmaker supporting strategic initiatives primarily in education, health, medical research, and youth development. The foundation's approach emphasizes long-term partnerships, multi-year commitments, and deepening relationships with organizations already within their portfolio. Through its subsidiary Dangoor Education, the foundation has sponsored Westminster Academy since 2006 and supported approximately 100 charitable organizations throughout the UK, Israel, and the United States.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through invitation-only grantmaking and does not accept unsolicited applications. They identify and approach organizations that align with their strategic priorities. Grant amounts vary significantly based on the project:

• Major Strategic Grants: £1,000,000 - £5,000,000+ (multi-year commitments to flagship institutions)
• Programme Funding: £100,000 - £1,000,000 (established partnerships for specific initiatives)
• General Support: Variable amounts for ongoing relationships

The foundation demonstrates a preference for multi-year funding commitments and follow-on grants to organizations they have previously supported.

Priority Areas

Education & Youth Development:

• Higher education institutions (Imperial College, Bar-Ilan University, The Open University)
• Academy sponsorship (Westminster Academy)
• Scholarship programmes (Dangoor Scholarships for first-generation university students)
• Outdoor education and transformative expeditions (British Exploring Society's Dangoor Next Generation Programme since 2011)
• Educational innovation (UK Space Design Competition, Invention Rooms)

Health & Medical Research:

• Cancer research and treatment (Imperial College Cancer Research Centre, UCLH Sir Naim Dangoor Centre for Cellular Immunotherapy)
• Personalized medicine (Dangoor Centre for Personalized Medicine at Bar-Ilan University)
• Mental health services for children and young people (Jami's Dangoor Children and Young Person's Service)

Social Welfare:

• Support for older people (Age UK digital capability transformation)
• Disability inclusion (Dangoor Infinity programme for young people with disabilities)
• Services for vulnerable communities

International Cooperation & Research:

• UK-Israel collaboration (UK Israel Tech Hub)
• Defence and security research (Royal United Services Institute - £2 million gift)
• Jewish culture and heritage (Jewish Book Week, Centre for Universal Monotheism)
• Scientific research (Weizmann Institute of Science)

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus areas suggest they do not fund:

• Short-term projects without strategic impact
• Organizations outside their core areas of education, health, and social welfare
• General operating costs for organizations outside their existing portfolio
• Projects without clear outcomes or transformative potential
• Unsolicited applications from organizations they have not identified themselves

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The foundation is governed by three trustees from the Dangoor family, none of whom receive remuneration:

• David Alan Ezra Dangoor (Exilarch of The Exilarch's Foundation)
• Michael Arthur Jonathan Dangoor
• Elie Basil Victor Dangoor

Leadership Philosophy

On Education: David Dangoor states, “Education is a treasure that you give someone and they carry with them all their life.” This philosophy underpins much of the foundation's work.

On Long-term Partnership: Michael Dangoor explained their approach: “Having previously made our commitment to the Immunotherapy Centre, it was natural to double down on our support,” indicating their preference for deepening existing relationships rather than spreading funding thinly.

On Impact: The trustees emphasize “finding answers to many of the challenges facing humanity” as the guiding principle for their philanthropic decisions.

On Youth Development: Reflecting on the Dangoor Next Generation programme: “Me and my family remain as excited about the programme...now as when we first started working with you ten years ago,” demonstrating sustained commitment to transformative programmes.

Family Legacy

In memory of their brother, Robert D. S. Dangoor, who passed away in 2022, the family chose to make a lasting positive impact by supporting children and young people struggling with mental illness, leading to the establishment of the Dangoor Children and Young Person's Service at Jami.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Exilarch's Foundation operates through proactive, invitation-only grantmaking. They do not accept unsolicited applications or maintain an open application portal.

Organizations are identified and approached by the trustees based on:

• Strategic alignment with foundation priorities
• Potential for transformative impact
• Recommendations from trusted networks
• Previous successful partnerships (follow-on funding)

For organizations seeking support:

• There is no formal application process
• Building relationships within relevant sectors may increase visibility
• The foundation prefers to initiate contact
• Organizations already in their portfolio may discuss expansion opportunities

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. Based on the scale of grants awarded, decisions likely involve:

• Extended due diligence for major commitments
• Multi-year planning discussions
• Trustee consensus across all three family members

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation operates by invitation only and proactively selects its grantees. Evidence suggests they maintain long-term relationships with a core portfolio of approximately 100 organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable for open applications. However, the foundation demonstrates a strong preference for:

• Continuing support for existing grantees
• Follow-on funding for successful initiatives
• “Doubling down” on previous commitments that show impact

Organizations already receiving support should maintain regular communication with trustees and provide impact reports to position themselves for continued or expanded funding.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates by invitation only, traditional application advice does not apply. However, analysis of their funded projects reveals several characteristics that attract their support:

Key Success Factors

1. Transformative Impact

The foundation supports programmes with evidence of life-changing outcomes. The Dangoor Next Generation Programme reports that 95% of participants are engaged in employment, education, or training within three months of completing their expedition - the kind of measurable, transformative impact the foundation values.

2. Strategic Innovation

Projects that pioneer new approaches receive support - examples include the first land and sea programme (Dangoor Infinity) for young people with disabilities, and cutting-edge cellular immunotherapy research.

3. Vulnerable Populations

The foundation prioritizes young people facing challenges, older people requiring digital inclusion, people with disabilities, and communities with limited access to opportunities - targeting those “least likely to have access” to transformative experiences.

4. Educational Excellence

Multi-million pound commitments to Imperial College and support for Westminster Academy demonstrate their commitment to world-class educational institutions and access to quality education for underserved communities.

5. Long-term Vision

The foundation makes “principal multi-year grants” rather than one-off donations, indicating they value sustained commitment and strategic planning.

6. UK-Israel Connection

Significant funding flows to projects strengthening cooperation between the UK and Israel or supporting institutions in both countries.

7. Medical Innovation

Cancer research, personalized medicine, and innovative treatments receive substantial support, particularly when involving interdisciplinary collaboration.

Organizations They've Recently Funded

• Imperial College London: £5 million for cancer research hub and Invention Rooms
• UCLH: £2.8 million total (£1.6m + £1.2m) for cellular immunotherapy centre
• Age UK: Multi-year support for digital capability transformation
• British Exploring Society: 13+ years of funding for Dangoor Next Generation Programme
• Jami: Multi-year grant for children and young people's mental health service
• Royal United Services Institute: £2 million for defence and security research
• Westminster Academy: Ongoing sponsorship since 2006
• Bar-Ilan University: Multiple centres including Dangoor Centre for Personalized Medicine

Language and Terminology

The foundation's communications emphasize:

• “Transformative experiences”
• “Finding answers to challenges facing humanity”
• “Long relationship with an organisation”
• “Natural to double down on our support”
• “Lasting, positive impact”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. This is not an open-access funder - The Exilarch's Foundation identifies and approaches organizations rather than accepting applications. Traditional grant writing approaches will not succeed.

1. Build sector visibility and reputation - Organizations should focus on demonstrating excellence and impact within their field, as the trustees identify potential grantees through their networks and sector reputation.

1. Think strategic and long-term - One-off projects are unlikely to attract support. The foundation prefers multi-year commitments and programmes with potential for sustained impact and scaling.

1. Demonstrate transformative outcomes - Measurable evidence of life-changing impact (like the 95% employment/education/training rate for DNG participants) resonates with the trustees' priorities.

1. Existing grantees should nurture relationships - Organizations already receiving support should maintain regular communication, provide robust impact reporting, and discuss opportunities for expanding or deepening the partnership.

1. Focus on vulnerable populations - Projects serving young people facing disadvantage, people with disabilities, older people needing support, or marginalized communities align with foundation priorities.

1. UK-Israel connections are valued - Projects that strengthen cooperation between the UK and Israel or operate in both countries may receive particular attention.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Scottish Government
• The Thompson Family Charitable Trust
• Breakthrough T1D UK (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Limited)
• THE MAURICE WOHL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• The Orr Mackintosh Foundation Limited
• CECIL AND HILDA LEWIS CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE MACKINTOSH FOUNDATION
• THE CATHERINE COOKSON CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Weinstock Fund
• MOTABILITY Foundation
• Welsh Government
• THE HEALTH FOUNDATION
• King's College London
• King's College
• National Lottery

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - The Exilarch's Foundation (Charity Number 275919): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/275919/full-print

1. Imperial College London News, “£5m donation gift by Dangoor Education to transform life and work of Imperial,” October 2018: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/188708/5m-donation-gift-dangoor-education-transform/

1. UCLH News, "Dangoor Family's Exilarch's Foundation gift to speed up pioneering cancer care at UCLH,": https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/news/dangoor-familys-exilarchs-foundation-gift-speed-pioneering-cancer-care-uclh

1. Age UK, "The Exilarch's Foundation | Trusts and Foundations,": https://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/donate/trusts-and-foundations/exilarchs-foundation/

1. British Exploring Society, “Dangoor Next Generation Programme,”: https://www.britishexploring.org/expeditions/dangoor-next-generation-programme/

1. British Exploring Society, “Ten Years of Dangoor Next Generation,”: https://www.britishexploring.org/ten-years-of-dangoor-next-generation/

1. Jami UK, "The Dangoor Children and Young Person's Service,": https://jamiuk.org/dangoor-cyp/

1. Jewish News, "Jami rebrands young person's service after philanthropic donation,": https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/jami-rebrands-young-persons-service-philanthropic-donation/

1. Cancer Research UK News, "David Dangoor: 'Education is a treasure that you give someone and they carry with them all their life,'" June 2021: https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2021/06/14/david-dangoor-education-is-a-treasure-that-you-give-someone-and-they-carry-with-them-all-their-life/

1. The Sir Dr. Naim Dangoor Centre for Universal Monotheism, “The Dangoor Family,”: https://dangoorcentre.com/about/the-dangoor-family/

1. David Dangoor - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Dangoor

1. Westminster Academy, "Welcome from WA Sponsors & Trustees,": https://westminsteracademy.org.uk/194/welcome-from-wa-sponsors-trustees