The Sir Victor Blank Charitable Settlement

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ??625,929 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified (rolling basis)
• Grant Range: Generally under ??5,000
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Charity Number: 1084187

Contact Details

Email: enquiries@sirvictorblankcharitablesettlement.com

Phone: 020 7403 1877

Address: 2nd Floor, Regis House, 45 King William Street, London, EC4R 9AN

Note: The trust does not maintain its own website.

Overview

The Sir Victor Blank Charitable Settlement (charity number 1084187) is a grant-making trust that supports registered charities across England and Wales. With an annual charitable expenditure of ??625,929 (year ending April 2024), the Settlement focuses on four core areas: arts, education, medicine, and religion, with Jewish causes particularly favoured within these sectors. Founded by Sir Victor Blank, a prominent businessman and philanthropist who was knighted in 1999 for services to the financial industry, the charity reflects his lifelong commitment to philanthropy. Sir Victor has stated, “I was taught to help people who were not as well off; I was taught to give 10 per cent,” reflecting values learned from his father. The Settlement is governed by three trustees who meet regularly to make grant decisions and determine strategic priorities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Small Grants Programme: Generally under ??5,000
• Available to registered charities in England and Wales
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis
• Written applications only

Priority Areas

The Settlement supports charitable work in four main sectors:

1. Education

• Educational institutions and programmes
• Student support initiatives
• Particular interest in initiatives supporting Jewish students

2. Medicine and Health

• Medical research and healthcare charities
• Women's health initiatives (reflecting Sir Victor's role as Honorary President of Wellbeing of Women)

3. Religion

• Religious institutions and programmes
• Jewish communal organizations particularly favoured
• Synagogues and Jewish community centres

4. The Arts

• Arts organizations and cultural programmes
• Music and performing arts (reflecting Sir Victor's connection to Oxford Philomusica)
• Arts education initiatives

Jewish Causes: While the Settlement supports charities across all four sectors, there is a strong preference for Jewish causes. Sir Victor Blank is Vice President of the Jewish Leadership Council and Honorary President of the Union of Jewish Students, indicating the Settlement's commitment to supporting Jewish community organizations.

What They Don't Fund

• The Settlement appears to focus exclusively on registered charities
• Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed
• Given the small grant size (under ??5,000), major capital projects are unlikely to be funded

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Governance and Leadership

Sir Victor Blank

Sir Victor Blank is the founder of the Settlement and a distinguished businessman and philanthropist. He was knighted in 1999 for services to the financial industry. His extensive charitable involvement includes:

• Honorary President, Wellbeing of Women (leading early-stage funder of women's health in the UK)
• Trustee, Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe
• Vice President, Jewish Leadership Council
• Honorary President, Union of Jewish Students
• Chairman, Development Board of The British Academy
• Vice-President, Oxford Philomusica

Sir Victor has spoken about his approach to charitable giving: “I was taught to help people who were not as well off; I was taught to give 10 per cent.” He recognizes that “Jewish students are having a tough time on campus and ensures they have access to politicians and financial support,” believing that “Our community depends on the vitality of the next generation.”

Governance

• The charity is governed by 3 trustees
• No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits
• The charity has no employees
• Trustees meet regularly to agree strategy and make grant decisions
• The charity maintains current reporting status with the Charity Commission

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Method: Written applications only
• When: Applications may be made at any time (rolling basis)
• Where to Send: Email to enquiries@sirvictorblankcharitablesettlement.com or write to the address above
• Website: The trust does not maintain a website

Decision Timeline

• Trustees meet regularly to make decisions on donations and grants
• Specific decision timelines are not publicly available
• Given the rolling application process, applicants should allow appropriate time for trustee meetings

Success Rates

Success rates and application volumes are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific information is available regarding reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Priorities

Given the limited public information about specific grant awards, successful applications likely demonstrate:

1. Clear fit with core funding areas: Applications should clearly articulate how the project aligns with arts, education, medicine, or religion.

2. Jewish connection: While not exclusive, Jewish causes are particularly favoured. Organizations with Jewish connections or those serving the Jewish community may have stronger prospects.

3. Appropriate scale: With grants generally under ??5,000, applications should be for projects or activities that can be meaningfully supported at this level. Avoid requesting amounts that seem disproportionate to the typical grant size.

4. Registered charity status: Applicants must be registered charities in England and Wales.

Reflecting the Founder's Values

Sir Victor Blank's philanthropy reflects several key themes that may resonate in applications:

• Supporting the next generation: Particularly in education and student support
• Community resilience: Supporting organizations that strengthen communities
• Social mobility: Helping those who are less well off
• Excellence: His connections to prestigious institutions like The British Academy and Oxford suggest appreciation for quality and impact

Application Quality

Since applications are made in writing:

• Be clear and concise about your organization's work
• Articulate the specific need and how the grant would make a difference
• Demonstrate strong governance and financial management
• Include relevant evidence of impact
• Explain any Jewish connection or relevance to the Jewish community

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small grant focus: With grants typically under ??5,000, this is ideal for smaller projects, pilot programmes, or targeted activities rather than major capital appeals or core funding requests.

• Jewish causes favoured: While not exclusively for Jewish organizations, applicants with a clear connection to the Jewish community or serving Jewish populations should emphasize this alignment.

• Four core sectors only: Ensure your work clearly falls within arts, education, medicine, or religion. Projects outside these areas are unlikely to succeed.

• Simple application process: The written application format suggests a straightforward process without complex application forms. Focus on making a clear, compelling case in your letter.

• Rolling deadlines: Applications accepted year-round, allowing flexibility in timing. However, with limited annual giving (??625,929) and many potential applicants, earlier applications may have better prospects before annual funds are committed.

• Values-driven philanthropy: The Settlement reflects Sir Victor Blank's personal commitment to helping those less well off and supporting the next generation. Applications demonstrating social impact and support for disadvantaged communities may resonate.

• No website means direct contact: Without a website, all information gathering and relationship building must happen through direct contact via email or phone. Consider reaching out to enquire about fit before submitting a full application.

References

1. Bath and North East Somerset Council - The Sir Victor Blank Charitable Settlement. Available at: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/90473 [Accessed: 2025]

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - Charity Overview: THE SIR VICTOR BLANK CHARITABLE SETTLEMENT (Charity No. 1084187). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1084187&subId=0 [Accessed: 2025]

1. The Jewish Chronicle - “The banker who bats for charity.” Available at: https://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/features/the-banker-who-bats-for-charity-1.59936 [Accessed: 2025]

1. JLGB - “Philanthropist and Businessman, Sir Victor Blank.” Available at: https://www.jlgb.org/stories/866-philanthropist-and-businessman-sir-victor-blank [Accessed: 2025]

1. Directory of Social Change - The Directory of Grant Making Trusts 2022/23

1. Charity Commission Register - Financial information for year ending 05 April 2024: Total income ??48,957, Total expenditure ??625,929