Holden Charitable Trust

The Holden Charitable Trust, established in 1972, is a longstanding grant-making charity dedicated to strengthening Jewish life and welfare across England and Wales through the promotion of education and the prevention or relief of poverty. Governed by a small team of voluntary trustees, including Boruch Zvi Portnoy and the Lopian family, it embodies a philanthropic ethos rooted in Jewish values, heritage, and communal resilience, distributing funds exclusively to organizations rather than individuals for maximum impact.

It prioritizes educational initiatives, training opportunities, and direct welfare support for Jewish communities, funding projects that advance learning, alleviate hardship, and build community infrastructure. Grants typically support grassroots groups, welfare bodies, educational institutions, and relief efforts benefiting Jewish people of all ages, with a national reach spanning diverse regions in England and Wales.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities operating in England and Wales whose work aligns closely with Jewish communal needs; small and medium-sized organizations are preferred, with no strict income thresholds. Applications are submitted via letter to the trustees, including organizational details, charitable status, project purpose, and finances—unsolicited enquiries are welcomed to confirm fit. Decisions occur at quarterly trustee meetings on a rolling basis, typically within 8-12 weeks, with grants ranging from £2,000 to £15,000 (average £7,500) for projects; core costs, capital, or unrestricted funding are rare.

Distinctively Jewish-only in focus, the trust avoids non-aligned causes, individuals, or large national entities, setting it apart as a targeted supporter of education and poverty relief within the UK's Jewish charitable landscape, underpinned by robust policies on safeguarding, reserves, and conflicts.