Shimon Yehuda Limited

Shimon Yehuda Limited is a grant-making charity established in 2005 as a private company limited by guarantee, governed by a deed of trust. Its core mission focuses on advancing Orthodox Jewish religious education, furthering the Orthodox Jewish religion, and relieving poverty among persons of the Jewish faith, alongside other charitable purposes under English law. Deeply rooted in Orthodox Jewish values, it emphasizes religious, educational, and welfare support through stable, ongoing grants to aligned institutions, funded by property investments and gift-aided donations, with family-linked trustees ensuring strategic stewardship.

The funder prioritizes grants to UK-registered charities and educational institutions that promote Orthodox Jewish education, advance Orthodox Jewish life, and address poverty in Jewish communities. This includes project funding, core costs, and occasional individual aid, with 97 UK grants awarded in 2023 alone, targeting faith schools, synagogues, voluntary groups, and grassroots organizations serving Orthodox Jewish needs.

Eligible applicants must be UK-registered charities or academic institutions based in England and Wales, strictly aligned with Orthodox Judaism; there is a preference for smaller entities with incomes under £1 million, though no firm limits apply. Unsolicited applications are not accepted—funding is invite-only, selected via trustee discretion and relationships, with no open rounds, forms, or deadlines; decisions occur at adhoc trustee meetings.

Distinctive for its singular, religiously grounded focus, Shimon Yehuda avoids non-Orthodox Jewish, secular, or generalist causes, international projects (beyond rare exceptions), capital, emergency, or seed funding. Typical grants range from £2,000 to £50,000, prioritizing enduring sector support over broad philanthropy.