The Sobell Foundation

Charity Number: 274369

Annual Expenditure: £2.3M
Geographic Focus: Israel, Throughout England And Wales

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ??2.3 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Approximately 50% (472 grants from ~900 applications)
  • Decision Time: 12+ weeks (minimum 3 months)
  • Grant Range: Typically ??9,000 average (historical data shows range from smaller to ??60,000 multi-year)
  • Geographic Focus: England, Wales, Israel, and Commonwealth of Independent States

Contact Details

Website: www.sobellfoundation.org.uk

Email: enquiries@sobellfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 020 8922 9097

Address: PO Box 5402, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 0BH

Note: Currently accepting applications only from charities who have received a grant within the last five years.

Overview

The Sobell Foundation was established in 1977 by the late Sir Michael Sobell (1892-1993), a British businessman and major philanthropist who remained actively involved until shortly before his death. The foundation operates as a grant-making trust with an endowment fund generating all income. For the year ending April 2024, the foundation had income of ??1.2 million and charitable expenditure of ??2.3 million. Over 40 years of grant-making, the foundation has maintained consistent focus on supporting vulnerable populations through small and medium-sized charities. The foundation is family-led, with Sir Michael's granddaughter Gaie Scouller serving as trustee alongside family members. No trustees receive remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program on a rolling basis through an online application portal. Historical data (2014) shows 472 grants totalling ??4.2 million, averaging just under ??9,000 per award. Recent examples include multi-year grants up to ??60,000 over three years.

Application Method: Online application form (rolling basis, currently restricted to previous grantees only)

Priority Areas

Core Funding Areas:

  • Medical care and treatment
  • Care and education for physically and mentally disabled adults and children
  • Homelessness support and services
  • Care and support for elderly people
  • Support for children from disadvantaged backgrounds

Geographical Balance: The trustees aim to achieve a reasonable spread between Jewish charities (operating principally in the UK and Israel) and non-Jewish charities operating in the UK.

Israel-Specific: In Israel only, trustees support coexistence and immigrant absorption projects.

What They Don't Fund

  • Large National Charities: The foundation concentrates funding on small national or local charities and is unlikely to support large national charities that enjoy wide support
  • Individuals: No grants to individuals
  • Non-Registered Charities: Only registered charities with the Charity Commission or those holding a Certificate of Exemption from HMRC are eligible
  • Geographic Restrictions: Only projects in England, Wales, Israel, and Commonwealth of Independent States
  • Overseas Organizations: Must provide details of a UK registered charity through which grants can be channelled
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Current Trustees (all family-led, unpaid):

  • Andrea Gaie Scouller (Sir Michael Sobell's granddaughter)
  • Chloe Fletcher (Appointed: 2025)
  • Jerome Humphrey Andre Lacroix (Appointed: 2017)
  • Julian Michael Edward Lee (Appointed: 2017)
  • Karis Ann Lacroix (Appointed: 2017)
  • Sebastian Gaskell Lee (Appointed: 2017)
  • Susan Gina Lacroix

The foundation maintains family governance, with Gaie Scouller actively involved in visiting funded projects and overseeing the foundation's charitable work. The foundation benefits from low overhead costs as no trustees receive remuneration, maximizing funds available for charitable grants.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status: The foundation is presently only accepting applications from charities who have received a grant within the last five years. First-time applicants are not currently eligible.

For Eligible Organizations:

  1. Read the guidelines thoroughly to confirm eligibility
  2. Complete the online application form at thesobellfoundation.grantapps.net
  3. Provide a summary income and expenditure budget for the current year
  4. Submit most recent annual accounts
  5. Receive automated confirmation of receipt upon submission

Decision Timeline

  • Minimum Processing Time: 3 months from submission
  • Realistic Timeframe: Often considerably longer than 3 months
  • Annual Application Volume: Approximately 900 applications processed per year
  • Notification Method: Email notification of decision

Success Rates

Based on historical data (2014): The foundation awarded 472 grants from approximately 900 applications, suggesting a success rate of around 50%. However, current restrictions limiting applications to previous grantees only mean success rates may differ from historical figures.

Reapplication Policy

  • Unsuccessful Applicants: May reapply after one year from the date of notification
  • Waiting Period: 12 months minimum between applications
  • No Restriction on Number: No stated limit on total reapplications

Application Success Factors

Strategic Priorities

Small Charity Focus: The foundation explicitly concentrates on small national or local charities. Applications from large, well-supported national charities are unlikely to succeed.

Balanced Portfolio: Trustees aim for reasonable spread between Jewish charities (UK and Israel) and non-Jewish UK charities. Understanding this balance may inform application timing.

Vulnerable Populations: Strongest alignment with projects directly serving disabled people, elderly, homeless, disadvantaged children, and those needing medical care.

Application Tips

  • Budget Carefully: Historical average of ??9,000 per grant suggests most awards fall in the ??5,000-??15,000 range. However, multi-year grants up to ??60,000 are possible for strong projects.
  • Demonstrate Small Charity Need: Emphasize your organization's local/grassroots nature and limited fundraising capacity compared to larger national charities.
  • Clear Direct Impact: Focus on tangible outcomes for beneficiaries in the foundation's priority areas.
  • Previous Relationship Essential: Currently, only previous grantees can apply, making relationship maintenance critical. Organizations funded in the past should maintain contact and demonstrate good stewardship of previous grants.
  • Geographic Clarity: Clearly state project location within eligible countries (England, Wales, Israel, CIS).
  • Patience Required: With 900+ applications and minimum 3-month processing, be prepared for extended decision timelines. Plan fundraising timelines accordingly.

Funded Project Examples

  • SANE: ??60,000 over three years for volunteer recruitment and training
  • 472 charities funded in 2014 across disability, elderly care, medical, homelessness, and children's services

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Current Access Restricted: Only charities previously funded within the last five years can currently apply. First-time applicants should monitor for policy changes.
  • Small is Better: Clear preference for small local/national charities over large established organizations. Emphasize grassroots nature and limited alternative funding sources.
  • Average Grant Size: Plan requests around ??9,000 average, though larger multi-year grants possible for strong cases.
  • Long Decision Timeline: Budget minimum 3 months, often longer. Don't rely on this for urgent funding needs.
  • Strong Sector Fit Essential: Must align closely with medical care, disability support, elderly care, homelessness, or disadvantaged children. Tangential projects unlikely to succeed.
  • Relationship Maintenance: For current/past grantees, maintain excellent stewardship and communication to preserve future application eligibility.
  • One-Year Reapplication Rule: If unsuccessful, must wait full 12 months before reapplying. Use time to strengthen project and track record.

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