The Wigoder Family Foundation

Charity Number: 1086806

Annual Expenditure: £1.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £952,292 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (rolling applications)
  • Grant Range: Under £5,000 - £25,000
  • Geographic Focus: UK and overseas (preference for Jewish causes)

Contact Details

Address: Network HQ, 508 Edgware Road, The Hyde, Colindale, London

Email: wigoderfamilyfoundation@gmail.com

Phone: 020 8955 5000

Website: None

Note: The foundation does not have a website. Applications may be made at any time in writing.

Overview

The Wigoder Family Foundation, formerly known as the Charles Wigoder Foundation, was established via a Declaration of Trust dated 24 July 2000 and registered with the Charity Commission on 30 May 2001. The foundation is chaired by Charles Francis Wigoder, a telecommunications entrepreneur who built successful businesses including Peoples Phone and The Utility Warehouse. With total income of £2.86 million (2024) generated primarily through investments, the foundation operates as a discretionary grant-making charity with £952,292 in charitable expenditure annually. The foundation supports a mixture of Jewish and non-Jewish causes throughout England, Wales, and overseas, with trustees having broad discretion to apply funds for charitable purposes as they see fit.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • General Grant Program: Under £5,000 - £25,000 (typically)
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis
  • Written applications may be submitted at any time
  • No online portal or formal application deadlines

Priority Areas

  • Primary Focus: Jewish causes and organizations
  • Pro-Israel organizations (including UK AWIS, Community Security Trust, UJIA)
  • Health causes
  • Education (notably a £1 million donation to University of Kent Law Clinic in 2013)
  • Conservative and political causes (including Henry Jackson Society)
  • General charitable purposes at trustees' discretion

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly disclosed. As a discretionary grant-making charity, trustees have broad authority to determine funding priorities.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Charles Francis Wigoder (Chair) - Telecommunications entrepreneur, founder of Peoples Phone (sold to Vodafone for £77m in 1996) and builder of The Utility Warehouse
  • Elizabeth Sophia Wigoder
  • Martin Lewis Alfred Rose

All trustees serve without remuneration. The foundation operates with no employees.

Charles Wigoder is the son of The Right Honourable Lord Wigoder, QC PC, former chairman of the Liberal Party. He studied accountancy and law at the University of Kent and qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG in 1984.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Application Method: Written applications may be submitted at any time
  • No Website: The foundation does not maintain a website or online application portal
  • Contact: Submit applications to wigoderfamilyfoundation@gmail.com or by post to their London address
  • Rolling Basis: No fixed deadlines

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on a discretionary basis with trustees reviewing applications as they are received.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available. The foundation is noted to favor repeat grantees, though they do occasionally support new organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated. However, the foundation is known to make repeat awards to organizations, suggesting that unsuccessful applicants may reapply.

Application Success Factors

Key Insights:

  • Repeat Grantees Favored: The foundation has a track record of supporting organizations through repeat awards, suggesting that building a relationship with the foundation increases chances of continued support
  • Jewish Causes Prioritized: While non-Jewish causes are funded, the foundation has a clear preference for Jewish and pro-Israel organizations
  • Discretionary Decision-Making: With broad trustee discretion and no publicly disclosed criteria, applications should clearly articulate charitable impact
  • Conservative/Political Alignment: The foundation has supported conservative causes and organizations, which may inform funding decisions

Past Recipients (based on 2012 data):

  • UK AWIS
  • Community Security Trust
  • Henry Jackson Society
  • UJIA
  • Various health and non-political causes

Strategic Considerations:

  • Given the lack of formal application guidelines, clear and concise written applications are essential
  • Organizations aligned with Jewish causes, pro-Israel advocacy, or health initiatives may have stronger prospects
  • The foundation operates without staff, so applications should be straightforward and easy to evaluate

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Preference for Jewish Causes: While open to all charitable purposes, the foundation has a documented preference for Jewish and pro-Israel organizations
  • Build Long-Term Relationships: Repeat awards suggest that once funded, organizations have good prospects for continued support
  • Keep It Simple: With no formal application process or staff, concise written proposals are most appropriate
  • Modest Grant Sizes: Expect grants in the £5,000-£25,000 range; this is not a major funder but can provide valuable support
  • Investment-Based Income: The foundation's income comes from investments (£2.84m in 2024), providing stability for ongoing grant-making
  • Discretionary Process: Without published criteria, trustees have full discretion—applications should make a compelling case for charitable impact
  • No Fixed Timelines: Rolling applications mean you can apply when ready, but decision timelines are unpredictable

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