About Us
The charity was first set up in 1967 by Samuel Sebba, as a trust created solely for charitable purposes, and was registered with the Charity Commission later that year.
Samuel’s wife, Bella Sebba, played an equally important role in shaping the values that guide the charity’s work. In recognition of this, the trust was renamed the Sam and Bella Sebba Charitable Trust in 2015.
The trust has since transferred its assets to a new organisation, the Sam and Bella Sebba Charitable Foundation (SBSCF), which is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). While the structure has changed, the Foundation continues the same mission and charitable purpose that have guided the work from the start.
Since it was established, SBSCF has supported a wide range of organisations and initiatives working to advance social justice and protect human rights. This includes funding work to improve access to justice, support migrants and refugees, prevent violence and abuse, and challenge systemic inequality.
Our Vision
The Sam and Bella Sebba Charitable Foundation (SBSCF) seeks to create a more humane society by promoting social justice and protecting human rights.
Our Mission
We pursue this vision by supporting bold and adventurous grants that foster social innovation and have the potential to deliver transformative change. We deliberately prioritise funding in areas where other funders are less active, helping to address unmet needs and support emerging or under‑resourced work.
We also encourage all our grantees to share the learning and outcomes of their work, so that others may benefit from the results, regardless of the outcome, and contribute to wider understanding and progress across the sector.
Our Team
Our small, dedicated staff team works tirelessly to research the organisations we fund and to build close, trusted relationships with our partners. We work collaboratively to understand funding needs and provide support throughout the full grant lifecycle.
In addition to grant‑making, the Foundation offers a range of practical support, including training days, strategic and financial advice, and guidance on evaluation. We also convene roundtables and events aligned with our strategy, focused on our thematic areas of Migration and Preventing Violence and Abuse, to encourage networking and the sharing of good practice.