Sympathetic Trust

The Sympathetic Trust is a grant-making charitable trust registered in England and Wales (charity number 1191919), established in February 2020 by trustees David Neuwirth, Benny Stone, and Benjamin Hassan, all with roots in community-focused philanthropy. Its core mission advances health and saves lives, relieves poverty, promotes education and training, supports religious activities, and aids children, young people, the elderly, and other charities or voluntary bodies across England and Wales. Guided by values of compassion and direct support for the vulnerable, the Trust prioritizes immediate humanitarian needs through straightforward grant-making rather than programme delivery or investments, distributing nearly all of its £1 million+ annual donations to causes enhancing individual and community wellbeing.

It funds a broad spectrum of thematic priorities, including health and welfare initiatives, poverty relief for those in hardship, educational and training programmes, faith-based community activities, and support for youth and elderly wellbeing. Grants go to both individuals facing personal crises and organisations—ranging from grassroots voluntary groups to larger charities—delivering project-specific or general charitable work in these areas, with a notable emphasis on faith communities, welfare services, and direct relief efforts.

Eligible applicants are limited to UK-registered charities and community groups based in England and Wales, with no income size thresholds or geographic sub-restrictions within that scope; individuals in need may also qualify via trustee discretion. The Trust operates invite-only, accepting no unsolicited applications and lacking a formal process, online forms, or published deadlines—decisions occur ad hoc at trustee meetings. Grant sizes are unspecified but align with its substantial annual payouts. With no stated exclusions, it distinguishes itself as a nimble, generalist funder rooted in trustee networks, ideal for welfare, health, education, or faith-aligned projects seeking flexible, immediate philanthropic support.