The Jerusalem Trust

Charity Number: 285696

Annual Expenditure: £5.6M
Throughout England And Wales, Kenya, India, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Uganda, Netherlands ... [2 more]

Contact Info

Website:www.sfct.org.uk/the-jerusalem-trust

Phone:020 7410 0330

Email:info@sfct.org.uk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately £2-3 million (based on recent data)
  • Success Rate: Low - majority of unsolicited proposals are unsuccessful
  • Decision Time: Approx 4-8 weeks (30 days for school grants, longer for main programme)
  • Grant Range: £3,000 - £1,250,000
  • Geographic Focus: UK and overseas (Christian work)
  • Total Awarded: £94 million over 40+ years

Contact Details

Website: www.sfct.org.uk/the-jerusalem-trust

Email: info@sfct.org.uk

Phone: 020 7410 0330

Application Enquiries: cara.smith@sfct.org.uk

School Grants Scheme: www.regrants.org.uk (info@regrants.org.uk)

Overview

The Jerusalem Trust was founded in 1982 by Sir Timothy and Lady Susie Sainsbury and is one of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts. Over its 40+ year history, the Trust has awarded £94 million in grants to Christian charities and organisations. The Trust focuses exclusively on supporting Christian work, typically at regional or national scale rather than local level. Between June 2023 and June 2025, the Trust awarded 119 grants totaling £8.7 million, demonstrating sustained commitment to Christian mission and ministry. The Trust operates two distinct programmes: a main grants programme for established Christian organisations and a Small Grants to Schools Scheme supporting Religious Education. Strategic priorities are reviewed annually, and the Trust publishes open grants data through 360Giving, demonstrating commitment to transparency in their grantmaking.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grants Programme: £3,000 - £1,250,000 (average around £20,000-£73,000)

  • Rolling application basis via online form with eligibility test
  • Applications accepted year-round, no fixed deadlines
  • Average grant size approximately £73,500 (based on recent data: £8.7m/119 grants)

Small Grants to Schools Scheme: Up to £600

  • For state-funded schools in England and Wales
  • Rolling application basis at www.regrants.org.uk
  • Decision within 30 days of application
  • Full grant amount regularly awarded

Priority Areas

Trustees make grants under five specific headings:

  1. Evangelism and Christian Mission in the UK - Supporting organisations working to share the Christian faith and establish new Christian communities
  2. Christian Education - Projects advancing Christian teaching and learning
  3. Christian Evangelism and Relief Work Overseas - International mission and development work
  4. Christian Media - Supporting Christian communication, broadcasting, and publishing
  5. Christian Art - Projects using the arts to express and communicate Christian faith

The Trust funds organisations “usually on a regional or national scale” rather than hyperlocal initiatives.

What They Don't Fund

Main Programme:

  • Individuals
  • Capital costs (buildings)
  • Individual churches
  • Hyperlocal organisations

Schools Programme:

  • Assemblies resources
  • Personal/spiritual development materials
  • PSHE resources
  • Nursery provisions
  • Computer hardware
  • Consumables
  • Gift giving
  • Prayer areas or reflection gardens
  • School visits/trips
  • Workshops
  • Teacher training
  • Resources for other faiths (non-Christian)

Governance and Leadership

Lead Trust Executive: Vikki McLachlan

Trust Executive: Rachel Tiley

Trust Administrator: Cara Smith

The Jerusalem Trust operates under the umbrella of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts, which was historically led by Alan Bookbinder as Director from 2006-2018. The Trust was founded by Sir Timothy and Lady Susie Sainsbury in 1982 and maintains close alignment with the founders' Christian faith and commitment to supporting Christian ministry in the UK and worldwide.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Main Grants Programme:

  1. Complete online application form with built-in eligibility test at www.sfct.org.uk
  2. Alternative: Email initial enquiry to cara.smith@sfct.org.uk if unable to complete online form
  3. No application deadlines - rolling basis throughout the year

Small Grants to Schools Scheme:

  1. Check availability on www.regrants.org.uk homepage before applying
  2. Complete online application including resource details with ISBN-13/catalogue numbers
  3. Provide details of how resources will improve teaching and learning
  4. Submit one-year follow-up report after receiving grant

Decision Timeline

Main Programme: Typically 4-8 weeks (specific timeline not published)

Schools Programme: Aim to notify within 30 days

Successful applicants notified in writing once decisions are made.

Success Rates

The Trust explicitly states that “the majority of unsolicited proposals are unsuccessful” and “proposals must demonstrably and closely fit the specific areas of interest.” While specific success rate percentages are not published, the Trust received a large volume of applications and emphasizes selectivity. Between June 2023-June 2025, they awarded 119 grants from likely hundreds of applications, suggesting a competitive process.

Reapplication Policy

Schools Programme: Cannot reapply until:

  • Two years have elapsed since previous grant
  • 12-month report on previous grant has been submitted

Main Programme: Reapplication policy not explicitly stated, but the Trust appears open to supporting organisations over multiple years.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Funder

For All Applicants:

  • “Proposals must demonstrably and closely fit the specific areas of interest”
  • Initial applications benefit from using the eligibility test in the online form
  • Generic grant application content should be avoided

For Schools:

  • “There is no benefit in applying for less funding than you actually require; we regularly award the full grant amount”
  • Quality and shelf-life of resources considered in decision-making
  • Number of pupils benefiting from resources is a key factor
  • Resources must be currently available for purchase

What Makes Applications Stand Out

  1. Clear Christian Focus: Projects must have explicitly Christian mission and content - this is non-negotiable
  2. Scale and Impact: Regional or national reach preferred over hyperlocal work
  3. Strategic Fit: Alignment with one of the five priority categories (evangelism, education, overseas work, media, arts)
  4. Quality and Sustainability: Particularly for schools, demonstrating lasting value and benefit to multiple pupils
  5. Specificity: Detailed, specific proposals rather than generic applications

Recent Funded Projects

While the Trust publishes grant data through 360Giving, specific examples include:

  • The Nehemiah Project: Three-year grant for Operations Director salary supporting work with prisoners and families
  • Range of grants from £3,000 to £1,250,000 demonstrating support for organisations of varying sizes
  • Average grants around £73,500 suggest support for substantial, established programmes

Common Reasons for Rejection

  • Not explicitly Christian in mission or content
  • Individual churches or hyperlocal scope
  • Capital/building projects
  • Poor fit with the five priority categories
  • Generic, non-specific proposals

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Christian Mission is Essential: This Trust exclusively funds Christian work - secular organisations or interfaith projects will not be supported. Your application must demonstrate clear Christian mission and theology.
  1. Think Regional/National Scale: The Trust explicitly states they're “very unlikely” to fund individual churches or hyperlocal organisations. Demonstrate reach and impact beyond a single community.
  1. Use the Eligibility Test: The online application form includes a built-in eligibility test - use this to self-assess before investing time in a full application, as the majority of unsolicited proposals are unsuccessful.
  1. Be Specific and Strategic: Generic grant applications are explicitly discouraged. Demonstrate how your project closely fits one of the five priority categories: evangelism, Christian education, overseas mission, Christian media, or Christian arts.
  1. Consider the Long View: With grants ranging from £3,000 to over £1 million and an average around £73,500, the Trust supports substantial projects. Think multi-year programmes rather than small one-off initiatives.
  1. Transparency Through Data: The Trust publishes all grants data through 360Giving - research their recent awards to understand current priorities and typical grant sizes for organisations similar to yours.
  1. Don't Request Less Than Needed: For the schools programme specifically, the Trust advises applicants to request the full amount needed - they regularly award the maximum grant amount when the case is strong.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

  • Transforming Lives
  • Ezer Viznitz Foundation
  • Machzikei Lomdei Torah
  • Yetev Lev London Jerusalem Trust
  • Radstock Trust Cio
  • Sorted Church
  • Bnois Jerusalem Schools
  • Bnos Zion D'Bobov Limited
  • Satmar Kolel
  • Talmud Torah Education Limited

References