Gama Tzedaka Limited

Gama Tzedaka Limited is a family-led grant-making charity registered in England and Wales since 1984, governed by the Jay family—including Irvine Sidney Jay, Philip Jay, and David Jay—with a core mission to advance the Orthodox Jewish faith and relieve poverty among Jewish communities. Rooted in traditional Orthodox values, it emphasizes strengthening religious observance, educational access, and welfare support through targeted philanthropy, prioritizing long-term sustainability of faith-based infrastructure over public fundraising.

The funder supports religious education, synagogue maintenance, faith schools, community food aid, emergency family relief, and poverty alleviation initiatives exclusively for Orthodox Jewish individuals and organizations. Grants cover core costs, projects, operational needs, and capital for religious facilities, benefiting people of Jewish ethnic origin in activities that uphold Orthodox traditions, as seen in recurrent funding to London-area communal groups.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups based in England and Wales—especially small to medium-sized ones with modest incomes—strictly within the Orthodox Jewish tradition; non-Jewish or non-Orthodox entities are ineligible. It does not accept unsolicited applications, operating an invitation-only process where trustees identify and approach recipients via personal networks, with ad hoc meetings year-round and no deadlines.

Typical grants range from £2,000 to £30,000 (often £5,000–£20,000), focusing on practical, impactful support without statutory restrictions. Distinctive for its closed, trustee-discretionary model, unwavering Orthodox exclusivity, and family stewardship, Gama Tzedaka differentiates itself by fostering Jewish communal resilience through discreet, repeated investments rather than open competitions.