The Wolfson Family Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1.5 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 5-6 months from Stage 1 submission
• Grant Range: £10,000 - £50,000
• Geographic Focus: UK Jewish community and Israel
• Assets: Approximately £40 million

Contact Details

Website: www.wfct.org

Email: grants@wolfson.org.uk

Phone: 020 7323 5730

Note: Do not submit applications to both the Wolfson Foundation and Wolfson Family Charitable Trust simultaneously. Applications may be passed between the two organizations if deemed more appropriate.

Overview

The Wolfson Family Charitable Trust (WFCT) was established in 1958 and focuses exclusively on capital projects supporting the UK Jewish community and Israel. With assets of approximately £40 million, the Trust allocates about £1.5 million annually. The majority of funds are allocated to grants in Israel, with funding largely proactive through partnerships with key organizations identified by their Advisory Committee Israel. In the UK, the Trust accepts direct applications for capital projects supporting older people and people with disabilities, education, and culture and heritage, with particular interest in historic synagogues. The Trust seeks to use its funding as a “catalyst” to leverage additional support and is known for its rigorous focus on excellence and long-term impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

UK Grants: £10,000 - £50,000 (only very exceptionally above this range)

• Applications accepted through two-stage online process
• One annual funding round with Stage 1 deadline June 1st
• Decisions made in October

Israel Grants: Largely proactive, invitation-based

• Focus on universities (equipment for nationally coordinated research programs in nanotechnology, desalination, quantum information, solar energy)
• Hospitals (medical equipment)
• Unsolicited applications generally not accepted for universities and hospitals

Priority Areas

UK Jewish Community:

• Older people and people with disabilities
• Education (Jewish education focus through associated Wolfson Jewish Education Fund)
• Culture and heritage (particularly historic synagogues)
• Capital infrastructure only (buildings, refurbishment, equipment)

Israel:

• University research infrastructure
• Hospital medical equipment
• Major institutional projects (historically funded Weizmann Institute, Kiryat Wolfson developments, Heichal Shlomo, Great Synagogue Jerusalem, Wolfson Medical Center Tel Aviv)

What They Don't Fund

• Funding type: Revenue/operational costs, non-capital expenses
• Land and property: Purchase of land or existing buildings (including freeholds)
• Individual grants: Direct grants to individuals
• Administrative costs: Overhead costs, VAT, maintenance
• Events: Meetings, exhibitions, concerts, expeditions, conferences
• Materials: Promotional materials
• Finance: Loan repayments, endowment funds
• Completed projects: Projects completed before trustees consider application
• Geographic: Projects outside UK Jewish community or Israel
• Organizational: Organizations with annual income below £50,000 or without charitable status

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Chairman: Hon. Mrs Laura Wolfson Townsley

• Granddaughter of Sir Isaac Wolfson (founder)
• Daughter of Lord Wolfson of Marylebone
• Recipient of Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy (2013) and Rambam Award (2011)

Trustees include:

• Dame Janet Wolfson de Botton DBE (art collector and philanthropist)
• Sir Eric Ash CBE FRS
• Sir Ian Gainsford FDSRCS FDSRCSE
• Mrs Alexandra Halamish
• Mr Martin Paisner CBE
• Hon. Mrs Elizabeth Wolfson Peltz
• Sir Michael Pepper FRS FREng
• Sir Bernard Rix
• Lord Turnberg MD FRCP

Leadership Philosophy

Laura Wolfson Townsley has articulated four key principles that guide the Trust's work:

1. Excellence: “There is no point in supporting any project unless it is world changing”
2. Need: Where is the genuine need for support?
3. Catalyst effect: Can the Trust leverage further support? The “brand Wolfson” serves as a guarantor of quality
4. Collaboration: Partnership is key to successful projects

The Trust's stated aim is “the backing of excellence through capital infrastructure projects, particularly in under-funded areas.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility Check: First verify your organization meets requirements:

• Charitable status (or equivalent)
• Based in the UK
• Annual income above £50,000
• Evidence of long-term financial viability
• For cultural organizations: national reputation for excellence
• Project must be ongoing at time of application (not completed)

Stage 1 Application (Online via GrantsConnect):

• Brief project description
• Total project cost
• Current funding shortfall
• Proposed timetable
• Confirmation of institutional support
• Audited accounts from past two years (uploaded)

Stage 2 Application (By invitation only):

• Detailed application form
• Sent to expert external reviewers
• Opportunity to respond to reviewer questions
• Considered by trustees at annual meeting

Decision Timeline

2025 Timeline:

• Stage 1 opens: April 1, 00:01
• Stage 1 deadline: June 1, 23:59
• Stage 2 deadline: July 14, 23:59
• Trustees meeting: October 2025

Total timeline: Minimum 5-6 months from Stage 1 submission to final decision

Notification: Applicants notified following trustees meeting in October

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The Trust emphasizes rigorous assessment through expert peer review and maintains high standards for excellence.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly stated. Applicants should contact the Trust directly for guidance on reapplication timing and requirements.

Application Success Factors

Key Advice from the Trust

“Catalyst” Approach: The Trust emphasizes using their funding to leverage additional support. Applications should demonstrate:

• How the grant will attract further funding
• The strategic importance of the infrastructure investment
• Long-term sustainability beyond the initial grant

Excellence Standard: As articulated by Chairman Laura Wolfson Townsley, projects must be “world changing” - demonstrating exceptional quality and significant impact within their field.

Match Funding: Required for most applications - demonstrates broader support and institutional commitment to the project.

Strategic Considerations

The “Brand Wolfson” Effect: The Trust recognizes its reputation as a “guarantor of quality.” Successful applications should:

• Demonstrate track record of excellence
• Show how association with Wolfson will enhance credibility
• Explain how this will help secure additional partnerships

Cultural Organizations: Must demonstrate “national reputation for excellence” - regional or local organizations should consider whether they meet this threshold.

Historic Synagogues: Explicitly highlighted as an area of particular interest within heritage funding - strong alignment opportunity.

Equipment vs. Buildings: The Trust funds both, but equipment grants may offer faster, more straightforward pathways for appropriate projects.

Common Success Characteristics

Based on the Trust's priorities and funded projects:

• Capital infrastructure supporting nationally significant programs
• Projects with clear collaborative elements
• Initiatives filling genuine gaps in under-funded areas
• Strong institutional backing and financial sustainability
• Clear demonstration of need and impact
• Professional, well-researched applications with realistic budgets

Red Flags to Avoid

• Submitting simultaneously to Wolfson Foundation and Wolfson Family Charitable Trust
• Applications from organizations below £50,000 annual income threshold
• Revenue costs disguised as capital requests
• Weak or unclear institutional support
• Insufficient match funding secured
• Projects lacking national significance (for cultural organizations)
• Applications outside core focus areas (Jewish community/Israel)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Excellence is non-negotiable: Every aspect of your application must demonstrate world-class quality and transformational potential. The Trust's chairman has explicitly stated they only support “world changing” projects.

1. Strategic timing matters: With only one UK funding round per year (June deadline), ensure you have sufficient time to gather match funding, institutional approvals, and develop a compelling Stage 1 application before the deadline.

1. Leverage the “brand Wolfson” strategically: Articulate clearly how association with this prestigious funder will help attract additional support and partnerships - this is explicitly part of their funding strategy.

1. Focus on capital infrastructure: Do not attempt to include revenue costs. Projects must be purely capital - buildings, refurbishment, or equipment. The Trust is very strict about this distinction.

1. Historic synagogues are a sweet spot: If your project involves a historic synagogue, emphasize this prominently - it's explicitly called out as an area of particular interest.

1. Demonstrate collaboration: The Trust values partnership and collaborative approaches. Show how your project brings together multiple stakeholders and institutions.

1. National significance for cultural projects: Cultural organizations must demonstrate “national reputation for excellence” - assess honestly whether your organization meets this high bar before applying.

1. Think catalyst, not just capital: Frame your request around how this investment will trigger broader change and attract further funding, not just as a one-time equipment or building grant.

References

• The Wolfson Family Charitable Trust official website - Grants in the UK: https://www.wfct.org/grants-in-the-uk/
• The Wolfson Family Charitable Trust - Application Guidance: https://www.wfct.org/grants-in-the-uk/application-guidance/
• The Wolfson Family Charitable Trust - About: https://www.wfct.org/about/
• The Wolfson Family Charitable Trust - Trustees: https://www.wfct.org/about/trustees/
• UK Charity Commission - Charity Overview (228382): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/228382
• Birkbeck, University of London - Hon Mrs Laura Wolfson-Townsley: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/about-us/fellows/laura-wolfson-townsley
• Quote from Laura Wolfson Townsley regarding four key principles: "Excellence: there is no point in supporting any project unless it is world changing... where is the need? Can the Trust act as a catalyst to lever further support? The 'brand Wolfson' is crucial here: it is a guarantor of quality... collaboration is key."