The Sir Jack Lyons Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £203,221 (2024 expenditure)
• Income: £171,049 (2024)
• Geographic Focus: UK and Israel (particularly Israel)
• Established: 1963
• Charity Number: 212148

Contact Details

Address: Gresham House, 5-7 St. Pauls Street, Leeds LS1 2JG

Email: p.mitchell@sagars.co.uk

Phone: 0113 297 6789

Note: Contact is via Sagars, a professional services firm in Leeds that provides administrative support to the trust.

Overview

The Sir Jack Lyons Charitable Trust was established in 1963 by Sir Jack Lyons (1916-2008), a British financier and significant philanthropist to the arts. The trust continues his philanthropic legacy with a focus on “the promotion of education, humanitarian causes and performing arts, particularly in Israel.” The trust operates with broad charitable objectives defined as “for such charitable purpose or purposes whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere as the trustees shall in their unfettered discretion from time to time determine.” With 5 trustees who serve without remuneration, the trust distributed approximately £203,000 in grants during 2024. The trust honours Sir Jack Lyons' legacy, who was a major benefactor to institutions including the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Opera House, and the University of York.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The trust's stated charitable purposes focus on three main areas:

Education: Supporting educational initiatives and institutions, particularly those with connections to Israel or promoting cultural understanding.

Humanitarian Causes: Concern for the poor, disadvantaged, and under-served; promotion of understanding across cultures; and empowerment of communities in need.

Performing Arts: Supporting arts organizations and cultural initiatives, particularly in Israel, continuing Sir Jack Lyons' lifelong commitment to the arts.

Known Grant Recipients

Jerusalem Foundation: Long-standing partnership to administer the Sir Jack Lyons Charitable Trust Student Film Prize, awarded annually to students from Jerusalem film schools. Winners receive $2,500 and a working trip to Canada for meetings with key figures in the Canadian film and television industry. The prize has been running for over 10 years.

Cal Performances (University of California, Berkeley): Received a gift between $10,000-$24,999 in 2024-2025, demonstrating continued support for performing arts institutions.

UK Arts Organizations: Historically, the trust has supported organizations reflecting Sir Jack Lyons' philanthropic legacy, including organizations connected to music education and performance.

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by 5 trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trust operates through Sagars, a professional services firm in Leeds that provides administrative support.

Historical Leadership: Jonathon Edward Lyons, son of Sir Jack Lyons, served as a trustee of the trust.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The trust operates on a trustee-discretion basis, with grants awarded through the unfettered discretion of the trustees. There is no online application portal, published application guidelines, or advertised grant programs for general applications.

Grants appear to be awarded to:

• Organizations with existing relationships with the trust
• Initiatives aligned with Sir Jack Lyons' philanthropic legacy in arts, education, and support for Israel
• Programs identified and selected by the trustees

Given the lack of a public application process, prospective applicants should contact the trust directly via the email address (p.mitchell@sagars.co.uk) to inquire about potential funding opportunities and to understand if their organization might be considered for support.

Application Success Factors

While there is no public application process, organizations seeking to understand alignment with the trust should note:

Legacy Connection: The trust continues Sir Jack Lyons' philanthropic vision. Organizations that align with his documented interests—particularly music and performing arts education, support for Israel, and cultural understanding—appear most likely to receive support.

Israeli Focus: The trust's stated purpose specifically emphasizes “particularly in Israel.” Organizations with programs benefiting Israeli communities, promoting Israeli arts and culture, or fostering UK-Israel cultural exchange may align well with the trust's priorities.

Arts Education: The long-standing support for the Jerusalem Foundation Student Film Prize demonstrates commitment to nurturing emerging artists and filmmakers. Programs that provide educational opportunities in the performing arts may align with the trust's mission.

Cultural Understanding: The trust's objectives include “promotion of understanding across cultures,” suggesting an interest in programs that build bridges between communities and foster mutual understanding.

Established Organizations: Known recipients include established institutions (Jerusalem Foundation, Cal Performances), suggesting the trust may prefer working with organizations with track records rather than startup initiatives.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The trust does not accept unsolicited applications through a formal process; grants are made at the trustees' discretion
• Priority is given to education, humanitarian causes, and performing arts, with particular emphasis on Israel
• The trust continues the philanthropic legacy of Sir Jack Lyons, who was a major supporter of music and arts education
• Known grant amounts range from $2,500 (student film prizes) to $10,000-$24,999 (institutional support)
• Annual expenditure of approximately £203,000 suggests capacity for multiple grants
• Direct contact via p.mitchell@sagars.co.uk is necessary to explore potential funding opportunities
• Organizations should demonstrate alignment with Sir Jack Lyons' documented philanthropic interests and the trust's stated charitable purposes

References

• Charity Commission Register - The Sir Jack Lyons Charitable Trust -
• Charity Commission Full Details - The Sir Jack Lyons Charitable Trust -
• Jerusalem Foundation - Sir Jack Lyons Charitable Trust Student Film Prize -
• Jerusalem Cinematheque - Sir Jack Lyons Charitable Trust 10th Anniversary -
• Wikipedia - Jack Lyons (financier)) -
• Find that Charity - The Sir Jack Lyons Charitable Trust -
• Cal Performances - Annual Support -