The Gerald And Gail Ronson Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £12.4 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Varies significantly (from moderate grants to multi-million pound donations)
• Geographic Focus: UK and Israel, with strong focus on Jewish community

Contact Details

Email: jtrent@hwfisher.co.uk

Phone: 020 7388 7000

Website: https://ronsonfoundation.org/

Address: Acre House, 11 William Road, London NW1 3ER

The Foundation has a Grant Request Enquiry Form available on their website.

Overview

The Gerald and Gail Ronson Family Foundation (Charity Number 1111728) was registered on 18 October 2005 as a private family foundation and grant-making trust. One of the largest foundations in the Jewish community, the Foundation distributes over £10 million annually in grants and donations. Sir Gerald Ronson, knighted in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to philanthropy and the Jewish community, has personally donated more than £30 million and raised over £100 million throughout his philanthropic career. The Foundation operates at the trustees' discretion, supporting diverse causes with a focus on creating equality of opportunity and promoting social mobility. Recent modernization efforts include implementing a Salesforce-based grant management system with online applications and automated reporting.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates as a discretionary grant-making trust without fixed grant programs or published funding tiers. Grants range from moderate amounts to major multi-million pound donations:

• Major Capital Projects: £8-11 million (e.g., Kfar Silver Youth Village renovation)
• Significant Institutional Support: £890,000+ (e.g., Ashkelon sci-tech schools)
• Institutional Partnerships: Substantial ongoing support for core organizations
• Application Method: Online grant application system via website enquiry form; decisions made at trustees' discretion

Priority Areas

Primary Focus (80% of funds): Charitable purposes for the benefit of persons of the Jewish faith:

• Education: Jewish schools, STEM education, youth villages, educational infrastructure
• Social Welfare: Prevention or relief of poverty, support for vulnerable populations
• Health: Advancement of health or saving of lives
• Security: Community protection and safety
• Arts and Culture: Jewish cultural institutions, film, performing arts

Secondary Focus (20% of funds): Other charitable objectives at trustees' discretion:

• Medical research (RNIB support)
• Performing arts (Royal Ballet)
• Holocaust remembrance
• Child protection (NSPCC)

Geographic Priorities: UK-based Jewish organizations and Israeli educational institutions, particularly in periphery communities

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but the Foundation operates as a discretionary trust focusing primarily on:

• Jewish community causes (80% mandate)
• Organizations aligned with family philanthropic values
• The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications in the traditional sense; applications are reviewed at trustees' discretion

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Foundation is governed by family members serving as trustees:

• Sir Gerald Maurice Ronson CBE - Founder and Chairman
• Dame Gail Ronson - Co-founder
• Lisa Debra Ronson - Trustee (supports causes in education, welfare, medicine, security, and arts)
• Nicole Julia Ronson - Trustee
• Hayley Ronson - Trustee
• Jonathan Goldstein - Trustee

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Staff

The Foundation employs 5 staff members, including:

• Natie Shevel - CEO (leads modernization and technology implementation)
• One employee earning between £200,000-£250,000

Leadership Philosophy

Sir Gerald Ronson has stated his commitment to community security and education, founding the Community Security Trust (CST) in 1994 and serving as its Chairman for over 30 years. His philanthropic approach focuses on creating lasting institutional impact through major capital investments and long-term organizational partnerships.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation has modernized its grant management with an online application system:

• Online Portal: Grant Request Enquiry Form available at ronsonfoundation.org
• Pre-application: Contact via enquiry form or email to jtrent@hwfisher.co.uk
• Application Type: Discretionary grantmaking - trustees review applications and make decisions based on alignment with charitable objectives

The Foundation operates as a private family foundation, meaning funding decisions are made at the trustees' absolute discretion rather than through competitive grant rounds.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a discretionary trust, timelines likely vary depending on grant size, organizational relationship, and trustees' meeting schedules.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The Foundation appears to focus on strategic, long-term partnerships with select organizations rather than responding to open applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Given the discretionary nature of the Foundation, organizations are advised to maintain ongoing communication and relationship building.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment

Strong alignment factors:

• Organizations serving the Jewish community, particularly in education, health, poverty relief, and security
• Projects creating lasting institutional impact through capital investments
• Initiatives supporting vulnerable populations, including youth from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Educational institutions emphasizing STEM and vocational training
• Organizations in Israel's geographic periphery or serving immigrant communities
• Cultural institutions preserving and promoting Jewish heritage

Relationship Building

The Foundation operates on a relationship-based model:

• Existing relationships matter: Many beneficiaries have longstanding connections with the Ronson family
• Board involvement: Sir Gerald serves as Life President of JCoSS and Chairman of CST, indicating deep engagement with funded organizations
• Family engagement: Multiple family members serve as trustees, suggesting family connections and personal knowledge of causes are important

Recent Funding Examples

• Kfar Silver Youth Village (Israel): $11 million four-year project for campus renovation serving vulnerable youth; campus renamed in honor of the Foundation
• Ashkelon Sci-Tech Schools (Israel): £890,000+ to support schools founded by Ronson family in the 1980s
• Jewish Care Redbridge Campus: “Game-changing” donation for campus development
• JCoSS School: £1 million public contribution as founding sponsor, plus leadership in raising £10-12 million from community
• Community Security Trust: Founding and ongoing support
• Royal Ballet School: Contribution to Aud Jebson Hall construction
• UK Jewish Film: Partnership support

Application Tips

1. Demonstrate community impact: Show how your project serves vulnerable or underserved populations
2. Emphasize education and opportunity: Projects advancing education and social mobility align strongly with Foundation priorities
3. Think long-term: The Foundation favors substantial capital projects over small operational grants
4. Highlight Jewish community benefit: 80% of funding is designated for Jewish causes
5. Build relationships first: Consider reaching out through the enquiry form to establish dialogue before submitting a full proposal
6. Show institutional sustainability: Major grants appear tied to established institutions with strong governance
7. Consider Israeli connections: The Foundation has significant interest in Israeli educational and social welfare projects

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Private family foundation: Operates at trustees' discretion; funding decisions are relationship-based rather than competitive
• Major giving focus: The Foundation makes substantial, transformational gifts rather than numerous small grants
• Jewish community priority: 80% of funding must benefit persons of the Jewish faith, with focus on education, welfare, health, and security
• Capital over operations: Recent grants emphasize capital projects and infrastructure over general operating support
• Geographic split: Funding divided between UK-based Jewish organizations and Israeli educational institutions
• Relationship matters: Long-term partnerships and trustee connections appear central to funding decisions; many beneficiaries have decades-long relationships with the Ronson family
• Contact first: Use the online enquiry form to establish contact before submitting detailed proposals; the Foundation has modernized its grant management but maintains discretionary decision-making

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• MOTABILITY Foundation
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• THE HOSPITAL SATURDAY FUND
• The Edward Gostling Foundation
• The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust
• THE CALLEVA FOUNDATION
• THE HADLEY TRUST
• THE EVESON TRUST
• THE SIR JAMES KNOTT TRUST
• The Hill Foundation
• The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
• THE SCREWFIX FOUNDATION
• The Powell Family Foundation
• PEACOCK CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE CATHERINE COOKSON CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE HARAMEAD TRUST
• THE BRIDGE TRUST
• THE JOSEPH AND LILIAN SULLY FOUNDATION
• The Arts Council of England
• JINGLE JAM

References

1. Charity Commission Register of Charities - The Gerald and Gail Ronson Family Foundation, Charity Number 1111728. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1111728&subid=0 (Accessed: 2 October 2025)

1. Find That Charity - GB-CHC-1111728 | The Gerald and Gail Ronson Family Foundation. Available at: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1111728 (Accessed: 2 October 2025)

1. The Ronson Foundation official website. Available at: https://ronsonfoundation.org/ (Accessed: 2 October 2025)

1. The Jewish Chronicle (2024) 'Arise Sir Gerald! Philanthropist Ronson knighted in New Year's Honours'. Available at: https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/arise-sir-gerald-philanthropist-ronson-knighted-in-new-years-honours-s1blb59u (Accessed: 2 October 2025)

1. ORT (2021) 'ORT secures significant funding from Ronson Family Foundation for Kfar Silver improvements'. Available at: https://ort.org/en/news/ort-secures-significant-funding-from-ronson-family-foundation-for-kfar-silver-improvements/ (Accessed: 2 October 2025)

1. Jewish News (2023) 'Ronson Family Foundation gives £890k to Israel sci-tech schools affected by Gaza war'. Available at: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/ronson-family-foundation-gives-890k-to-israel-sci-tech-schools-affected-by-gaza-war/ (Accessed: 2 October 2025)

1. The Jewish Chronicle (2024) 'Sugar and Ronson families make 'game-changing' donations to Jewish Care's Redbridge campus development'. Available at: https://www.thejc.com/news/community/sugar-and-ronson-families-make-game-changing-donations-to-jewish-cares-redbridge-campus-development-jp87be2u (Accessed: 2 October 2025)

1. JLGB (n.d.) 'Gerald Ronson CBE, Philanthropist and Businessman'. Available at: https://www.jlgb.org/stories/879-gerald-ronson (Accessed: 2 October 2025)

1. Companies House - GERALD MAURICE RONSON & GAIL RONSON & LISA DEBRA RONSON & NICOLE JULIA RONSON, HAYLEY RONSON & JONATHAN GOLDSTEIN (AS TRUSTEES FOR THE GERALD RONSON FOUNDATION). Available at: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/fZ22A-0NtbqyYCt26U93LqiooYs/appointments (Accessed: 2 October 2025)

1. Community Security Trust (n.d.) 'An open letter from CST Chairman, Gerald M Ronson CBE'. Available at: https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2018/09/06/an-open-letter-from-cst-chairman-gerald-m-ronson-cbe (Accessed: 2 October 2025)