Yephess Charitable Trust

The Yephess Charitable Trust, established in April 1996 and governed by the Kraus family, is a family-led philanthropic entity dedicated to advancing Orthodox Jewish faith, education, and poverty relief primarily within Great Britain. Rooted in principles of faith-based giving, integrity, transparency, and long-term community impact, it channels funds through targeted grants to strengthen religious institutions, educational bodies, and hardship support, drawing income from property investments under rigorous governance including risk management and conflict-of-interest policies. Its distinctive approach emphasizes sustained support for mission-aligned causes, with unpaid trustees maintaining a stable structure over decades.

The Trust prioritizes Orthodox Jewish religious institutions like synagogues and learning centers (e.g., Beis Yaakov schools), educational initiatives including student grants, and poverty relief for individuals and families in need, such as hardship stipends. Grants cover project work, core funding, capital, and revenue needs for these specialized areas, focusing on grassroots organizations in Gateshead, London, and Orthodox communities across the UK.

Eligible applicants are limited to UK-registered charities and academic institutions serving Orthodox Jewish causes; it shows preference for small- to medium-sized entities without strict income thresholds, but does not accept unsolicited applications—funding is by trustee invitation or identification only. Typical grants range from £1,000 to £25,000 (averaging £5,000–£10,000), awarded on a rolling basis via unadvertised trustee meetings with no deadlines or public forms.

Unlike generalist funders, Yephess excludes non-Jewish or unrelated causes, direct service delivery, and open calls, differentiating itself through its absolute thematic focus on Orthodox Judaism, educational uplift, and targeted poverty aid, making it ideal for pre-connected, faith-specific applicants seeking reliable, high-impact support.