Wolfson Family Charitable Trust

The Wolfson Family Charitable Trust (WFCT), established in 1958 by the Wolfson family, is a private grantmaking trust rooted in the philanthropic legacy of Sir Isaac Wolfson. Its core mission advances Jewish communal life in the UK and supports projects in Israel through strategic capital investments in infrastructure that foster excellence, sustainability, and long-term impact. Emphasizing partnership and leveraging follow-on funding, WFCT prioritizes facility-based projects in science and medicine, health and disability, education, arts and heritage—such as historic synagogues, Jewish schools, special educational needs provision, elder care, community centres, and innovative Israeli institutions identified via local advisors.

It funds UK-registered charities serving the Jewish community (primarily in England), with a preference for medium-to-large organizations boasting annual incomes above £50,000, national reputation in cultural/heritage sectors, and proven financial viability. Beneficiaries include synagogues, schools, care homes, and community infrastructure providers; Israeli projects follow a separate process.

Grants typically range from £10,000 to £50,000 (rarely higher), awarded annually for buildings, refurbishments, and equipment—never revenue, operational costs, maintenance, land purchases, or non-specific appeals. Applications require a two-stage process via the online GrantsConnect portal: Stage 1 Expression of Interest (1 April–1 June 2025), with invited Stage 2 submissions due 14 July 2025; decisions follow the October trustees' meeting. Projects must extend beyond decision dates and show matched funding.

WFCT stands out for its exclusive Jewish/Israel focus, capital-only model, rigorous emphasis on high-impact excellence that attracts co-funders, and redirection of mismatched bids to the related Wolfson Foundation, distinguishing it as a premier backer of resilient Jewish infrastructure.