J Isaacs Charitable Trust

The J Isaacs Charitable Trust, established in December 1996 and chaired by Sir Jeremy Isaacs CBE, is a UK-based family-led grant-making trust dedicated to improving lives and promoting wellbeing through support for charitable activities. With a broad, generalist approach, it channels resources exclusively to established UK-registered charities—never individuals—focusing on children's care (e.g., hospices like Noah’s Ark), education, elderly wellbeing, community tolerance and cohesion, and healthcare. Its values-driven stewardship emphasises flexibility, robust governance, and responsiveness to evolving social needs, as reflected in annual reports and Charity Commission filings, with recent expenditures ranging from £384,000 to £950,000.

The trust funds a diverse array of initiatives within these priorities, including project work, core costs, capital campaigns, and organisational support, often providing repeat grants to recognised charities demonstrating strong track records. It operates UK-wide across England and Wales without regional restrictions, prioritising medium to large established organisations over small grassroots groups, though no strict income thresholds apply.

Unsolicited applications are not accepted; trustees identify and select recipients on an ad hoc basis at irregular meetings, with no published deadlines or application process. Typical grants range from £10,000 to £50,000, occasionally scaling to £450,000+ for flagship projects. Distinctively, its multi-generational family involvement, aversion to direct delivery or open competitions, and holistic social welfare focus differentiate it from specialised or grassroots funders, making it ideal for proven charities aligning with its core themes.