Gefen Foundation

The Gefen Foundation is a UK-registered charity, incorporated in 2004 as a company limited by guarantee, dedicated exclusively to relieving poverty, need, hardship, or distress—particularly among the elderly—within the Jewish community across England and Wales. Overseen by trustees including Arnold Henry, Henry Neumann, and Aliza Neumann, it embodies a straightforward, needs-based philosophy focused on direct socioeconomic support, without broader thematic expansions into health, education, or other areas. Its distinctive approach prioritizes trustee-led identification of beneficiaries, emphasizing immediate relief over complex strategies or public strategic plans.

The foundation funds grants to both individuals and organizations serving the Jewish community, targeting core costs, essential needs, and unrestricted support for poverty alleviation and hardship relief. Activities center on direct aid for those in distress, with a preference for elderly beneficiaries, but extending to any fitting the criteria; there is no evidence of project-specific, capital, or capacity-building grants.

Eligibility is strictly limited to Jewish community members or groups in England and Wales, with a focus on small to medium grassroots organizations facing socioeconomic challenges—no formal income thresholds apply, though grants suit modest-scale needs. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; funding occurs on a rolling basis at trustees' discretion, with no public processes, forms, or deadlines. Typical grants range from £500 to £5,000.

Distinctive for its narrow, faith-specific mission and invite-only model, the Gefen Foundation avoids generalist causes or non-Jewish beneficiaries, setting it apart as a targeted resource for direct poverty relief in Jewish communities.