Alan and Babette Sainsbury Charitable Fund

The Alan and Babette Sainsbury Charitable Fund (ABS), established in 1953 by Lord Alan Sainsbury as the oldest Sainsbury Family Charitable Trust, advances social justice, civil liberties, and community cohesion through evidence-based, trust-based philanthropy. Guided by values of transparency, diversity, equity, inclusion, and ethical investing, it adapts Lord Sainsbury's vision to contemporary challenges, fostering a fairer society by addressing inequality's root causes via long-term grantee partnerships rather than one-off grants.

ABS prioritizes intercommunity dialogue, support for refugees and asylum seekers, and initiatives for disadvantaged young people—especially in Southwark—while also backing Jewish/Israeli causes, overseas aid, scientific/medical research, and broader youth work. It funds direct services like family therapy for torture survivors and legal advocacy for vulnerable groups, emphasizing marginalised communities, grassroots efforts, and systemic change through project, core, and capacity-building support.

Eligible applicants are primarily UK-registered charities and community groups, with a strong preference for small, grassroots organisations led by those with lived experience; large national/international entities are rarely supported. Geographic focus is UK-wide with Southwark youth priority and select Global South projects, no income minimum/maximum but favouring smaller scales.

As an invite-only funder, ABS proactively identifies aligned organisations via research and networks, with rolling decisions and no public deadlines or forms—build visibility through evidence-based alignment. Typical grants range £10,000–£40,000 (up to £290,000 rarely), excluding individuals, events, capital projects, or misaligned activities. Its progressive, relational model and local-to-global scope distinguish it among UK funders.