For over 50 years, The Sir John Ritblat Family Foundation has donated to various causes, each chosen for their dedication in a particular field.
OUR CHARITABLE JOURNEY
Education is at the heart of the work of Sir John Ritblat. Not only through sponsorship initiatives such as the funding of the world’s very first Professor of Mindfulness at Oxford University, but also a variety of trustee and board roles that have included: Vice-Chairman of the Board of the International Students Trust; Chairman of the Hall School in Hampstead; Vice Chair of Dulwich College; Governor, Bedford College, University of London; Deputy Chairman of Governors, The Hall School Hampstead; and Chairman of the Alpha Plus Schools Group and the associated charity, The Gold Standard Charitable Trust.
Organisations that the Sir John Ritblat Family Foundation and Sir John’s other charitable funds have proudly supported include:
STORIES OF SUPPORT
Each year the Gold Standard Charitable Trust (GSCT) offered support to parents of talented pupils whose circumstances would otherwise put an independent school education beyond their reach. The charity worked closely with its partner schools, up until the sale of the Alpha Plus Group in 2023, in order to widen access and reach out to local families and support them through the process of identifying candidates. Sir John Ritblat was Chairman of The Gold Standard Charitable Trust and also made a number of personal donations.
Jewish interactive develops digital, interactive and inspirational learning programs for Hebrew, Jewish and Israel education. Sir John funded and hosted an exclusive event in November 2018 at the British Library for Jewish Interactive, a digital, interactive and inspirational programme to bring Jewish learning in educational settings around the world for individuals, families, groups and schools. Over 200 guests attended the function. They learnt about the vital work that Jewish Interactive is doing enhancing Jewish Education as well as being treated to unique and bespoke tours of the Sir John Ritblat Gallery and learning about the treasures housed within it.
Year on year the Foundation donate to The Central Synagogue. The Synagogue has been in Great Portland Street, London, in one form or another for more than 155 years. It was rebuilt and reconsecrated in 1958, after the original building was destroyed in a bombing raid on 10 May 1941.
An Honorary Fellow of the London Business School, Sir John Ritblat spent 25 years as Chairman of the Board of Governors for the London Business School and 10 years in the Chair. In addition he supported this world-renowned educational institute in a number of ways over the years, including significant donations to their educational programmes, the acquisition of Marylebone Town Hall in 2014 and his long-term Project Management in major construction, building and design projects.
Sir John Ritblat has been a long-term support of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Sponsorship and fundraising for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award includes a dinner in May 2018 at Petworth House, attended by Prince Edward, which raised over £50,000; a private dinner at Sir John’s home raising a further £53,000; and the sponsorship and Chairmanship of a dinner at Buckingham Palace which raised £450,000. Personal donations have also been made to the DofE care of the Family Foundation.
Various donations to Dulwich College over many years plus a significant donation in 2018 which helped towards their fundraising for a new laboratory/science block, and to launch their New Dulwich Experiment Appeal.