The Marjorie & Arnold Ziff Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £575,172 (2023-24)
• Total Income: £428,434 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (trustee-directed giving)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not specified (major gifts typically £25,000+)
• Geographic Focus: Leeds and Yorkshire, with emphasis on Jewish community
• Application Method: Trustee-directed (no open applications)

Contact Details

Address: Town Centre House, The Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8LY

Phone: 0113 222 1234

Note: The foundation does not appear to have a website or accept unsolicited applications. Funding decisions are made by trustees based on projects they identify and become directly involved with.

Overview

Founded in 1966 by Marjorie (1929-2023) and Arnold Ziff (died 2004), The Marjorie & Arnold Ziff Charitable Foundation is a Leeds-based trust operating under a deed dated 31 July 1964 (amended 16 September 2008). With annual expenditure of £575,172 (2023-24), the foundation has been a transformative force in Leeds for nearly six decades. The foundation's philosophy is “to see a need and within its limited resources attempt to fill it,” emphasizing value for money and benefiting the widest number of people. However, the foundation explicitly states it “can only be involved in a few projects, in which, usually, the Trustees are directly involved,” indicating a highly selective, relationship-based approach rather than open grant-making. Marjorie Ziff received an MBE in 2011 for her services to the community in Leeds.

Funding Priorities

Funding Approach

The foundation operates through trustee-directed giving rather than open grant programmes. Trustees identify needs and projects they wish to support directly, typically becoming personally involved in funded initiatives.

Priority Areas

Based on Charity Commission classifications and historical giving patterns:

• Education and Training: Major support for University of Leeds, including the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Building (opened 2009)
• Arts, Culture and Heritage: Leeds Art Gallery (Arnold and Marjorie Ziff Gallery), Leeds International Piano Competition (supported since 1981), Opera North (Ziff Music Rooms in Howard Opera Centre)
• Jewish Community: Leeds Jewish Welfare Board, Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Community Centre in Moortown
• People with Disabilities: Included in charitable classifications
• Elderly People: Included in charitable classifications
• Children and Young People: Included in charitable classifications
• Parks and Recreation: Tropical World Leeds (renamed Arnold and Marjorie Ziff Tropical World in 2008)

Geographic Focus

Primarily Leeds and Yorkshire, with particular emphasis on the Leeds Jewish community and major Leeds cultural and educational institutions.

What They Don't Fund

Given the trustee-directed model, the foundation does not fund:

• Unsolicited applications from organizations unknown to trustees
• Projects where trustees cannot be directly involved
• Organizations outside their established areas of interest

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees (3 trustees as of 2024):

• Michael Ziff (son of founders, CEO of Town Centre Securities)
• Edward Ziff (son of founders, business executive)
• Ann Manning (daughter of founders)

The foundation operates as a family trust with the founders' children continuing their parents' philanthropic legacy. No trustees receive remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity. The foundation has no trading subsidiaries and no employees earning over £60,000.

Founders:

• Arnold Ziff (died 2004): Leeds businessman and philanthropist
• Dr Marjorie Ziff MBE (1929-2023): British philanthropist recognized for contributions to the Jewish community in Leeds, received MBE in 2011, honorary graduate and life patron of various Leeds institutions

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important: The foundation does not operate an open application process. According to their charitable objectives, the foundation “can only be involved in a few projects, in which, usually, the Trustees are directly involved.”

The foundation operates through:

• Direct trustee identification of projects
• Personal relationships and involvement
• Strategic partnerships with major Leeds institutions

For organizations seeking support: Given the closed nature of the foundation, direct unsolicited applications are unlikely to be successful. The foundation appears to work exclusively with organizations and causes already known to the trustees through their long-standing connections in Leeds.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed, as decisions are made through trustee discussions rather than formal application rounds.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation operates through trustee-directed giving rather than competitive grant-making.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the nature of the funding model.

Application Success Factors

Understanding the Foundation's Model

This is not a foundation that accepts open applications. Success in gaining support depends on:

1. Direct Trustee Connection: Projects must come to the attention of trustees through existing networks and relationships
2. Strategic Alignment: Focus on Leeds-based education, arts, culture, and Jewish community causes
3. Significant Impact: Historical grants suggest preference for major, transformational gifts rather than small grants
4. Long-term Relationships: The foundation has maintained decades-long relationships with key institutions (University of Leeds, Opera North, Leeds Art Gallery, Leeds Jewish Welfare Board)
5. Trustee Involvement: Projects where trustees can be “directly involved” are prioritized

Historical Funding Patterns

The foundation has supported:

• Major capital projects: University buildings, gallery renovations, arts centers
• Established institutions: Preference for well-known, established organizations
• Naming opportunities: Many gifts have resulted in named buildings, galleries, or spaces
• Leeds-focused initiatives: Strong civic pride and commitment to Leeds development

The Foundation's Philosophy

Their stated mission emphasizes:

• “To see a need and within its limited resources attempt to fill it”
• Ensuring gifts “provide value for the money donated”
• Ensuring benefits reach “the widest number of people”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. This is not an open grant-maker: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates exclusively through trustee-directed giving

1. Relationship-based funding: Success requires existing connections with the Ziff family trustees or being part of their established network in Leeds

1. Major gifts only: Historical pattern suggests the foundation makes significant, transformational gifts (typically £25,000+) rather than numerous small grants

1. Leeds focus is paramount: Virtually all known grants have benefited Leeds-based organizations, particularly in education, arts, and the Jewish community

1. Long-term partnerships: The foundation maintains decades-long relationships with favored organizations rather than one-off grants

1. Trustee involvement expected: Projects must allow for direct trustee engagement and involvement

1. Not appropriate for most organizations: Unless you have an existing relationship with the trustees or are a major Leeds institution, this foundation is unlikely to be a viable funding source

References

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - THE MARJORIE & ARNOLD ZIFF CHARITABLE FOUNDATION (Charity No. 249368). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=249368&subid=0

1. University of Leeds - “Leading University supporter Marjorie Ziff dies” (2023). Available at: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news-university/news/article/5278/leading-university-supporter-marjorie-ziff-dies

1. Yorkshire Evening Post - "'A legacy that will never be forgotten': Tributes paid as Leeds philanthropist Dr Marjorie Ziff dies aged 93" (2023). Available at: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/tributes-paid-to-leeds-philanthropist-dr-marjorie-ziff-who-leaves-a-legacy-that-will-never-be-forgotten-4094158

1. Opera North - “Thanking all our key donors who have made the Howard Opera Centre possible”. Available at: https://www.operanorth.co.uk/news/new-room-names-acknowledge-donors/

1. Wikipedia - “Marjorie Ziff”. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjorie_Ziff

1. Wikipedia - “Arnold Ziff”. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Ziff

1. The Jewish Chronicle - “Obituary: Dr Marjorie Ziff” (2023). Available at: https://www.thejc.com/news/obituary-dr-marjorie-ziff-wdp6vc4w