Zichron Yecheskel Trust (Zyt)

Zichron Yecheskel Trust (ZYT), a UK-registered charity (number 1084429) established around 2001, is a discreet, trustee-led philanthropic funder dedicated exclusively to advancing the Jewish faith, education, and welfare within England's and Wales' Jewish communities. Governed by a small board, it embodies traditional Orthodox Jewish values, providing a safety net for vulnerable individuals and reinforcing religious continuity through longstanding institutions like synagogues and faith-based schools. Its mission prioritizes collective community impact over innovation, with no public fundraising or themed rounds, focusing instead on values-driven, strategic support for proven Orthodox Jewish causes.

ZYT funds religious educational initiatives, synagogue operations, and poverty relief/welfare services for Jewish people in need, covering core expenses and project costs for direct services. Grants target established organisations delivering tangible community benefits, occasionally extending to individuals in hardship, with a geographic focus on key Jewish population centres in England and Wales.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered Orthodox Jewish charities—typically small to medium-sized with proven track records—operating solely in England and Wales; unsolicited applications from others are unlikely to succeed due to the faith-specific restriction. Submit written applications via email or post, including accounts and charitable status proof; reviews occur on a rolling basis at regular, unpublished trustee meetings, with no fixed deadlines.

Typical grants range from £5,000 to £25,000 (annual total £150,000–£180,000), emphasizing continuity for core programs rather than capital, unrestricted, seed, or innovative projects. ZYT stands out for its exclusive Jewish orientation, avoidance of non-faith/generalist causes, and trustee-discretion in fostering stable, tradition-anchored communal strength.