Amr Sciama Charitable Trust

The Amr Sciama Charitable Trust, a grant-making charity registered in April 2004 and administered by the Sciama family—chaired by Michael Ernest Sciama with trustees Richard Nigel and Andrew Martin Sciama—focuses on relieving poverty and hardship among Jewish people, advancing the Jewish religion through educational initiatives, and supporting aligned charitable causes. With a family-led ethos emphasizing flexibility, discretion, and service to Jewish communal needs, it maintains strong governance, including reserves, safeguarding, and conflict policies, while operating at a low public profile to respond nimbly to emerging priorities in Jewish welfare and religious life.

It funds Jewish-focused welfare and education, including poverty relief schemes, support for children, youth, elderly, and disabled individuals in Jewish communities, as well as health, disability, and special projects with clear Jewish beneficiaries. Grants go to established organizations rather than individuals, covering project delivery, core costs, welfare activities, educational programs, and some capital needs, with annual distributions around £90,000 across multiple recipients.

Eligible applicants are strictly UK-registered charities operating in England and Wales, prioritizing small to medium-sized ones (typically under £1 million income) serving Jewish communities; unsolicited applications are not accepted—funding occurs via trustee invitation or networks. Typical grants range from £2,000 to £25,000 as one-off payments, decided at ad hoc trustee meetings (likely annual or biannual) with no public deadlines or formal process.

Exclusions cover non-charitable, commercial, or personal benefit activities, and support outside England/Wales or non-Jewish causes. Its hallmark is sustained family commitment to strengthening Jewish communal life through dependable, responsive funding for grassroots and mid-sized charities addressing poverty, education, and vulnerability.