Magen Charitable Trust

Magen Charitable Trust is a small, family-led grantmaking charity established in 1984 and registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, administered by trustees Rosa and Jacob Halpern. Its core mission advances poverty relief, supports educational establishments, and promotes religious education, with a particular—though not exclusive—emphasis on benefiting the Jewish community. Guided by values of compassion, community cohesion, and the uplifting power of education and faith, the trust adopts a personal, discretionary approach to philanthropy, channeling funds through direct grants rather than operating its own projects, fostering dignity and targeted welfare in a tailored, relationship-driven manner distinct from larger funders.

The trust prioritizes three themes: poverty relief, education and training (including Jewish religious education), and religious activities. It supports children and young people, Jewish and ethnic communities, and other charities or voluntary bodies through project funding, core costs, and welfare initiatives, often backing Jewish schools, community groups, and social welfare efforts that alleviate hardship or enhance spiritual and material opportunities.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, community groups, and academic institutions of small to medium size (with a preference for modest-income grassroots organizations), operating anywhere but primarily in England and Wales, especially where Jewish needs intersect broader community priorities. It does not accept unsolicited applications publicly; interested parties must contact trustees directly for discretionary consideration, with no fixed deadlines or rounds—decisions occur via ad hoc trustee meetings.

Typical grants range from £1,000 to £25,000 (mostly £5,000–£15,000), with annual distributions around £250,000. Exclusions align strictly to its objects, avoiding non-welfare or unrelated activities; its unique, flexible ethos shines in responsive support for faith-infused education and poverty alleviation.