Our history | Joseph Levy Foundation

The Joseph Levy Foundation was founded by the late Joseph Levy CBE BEM in 1965. In 1999, following the premature death of Joe’s youngest son, the Foundation took its current form by merging with the Lawrence Levy Charitable Trust. Members of Joe and Lawrence’s family remain actively involved as trustees. In 2023, the Foundation also welcomed two new trustees who are not family members.

Joseph Levy CBE BEM 1906 – 1990

Joe trained initially as an estate agent and in 1938 created his own agency DE & J Levy with his brother David. He was a property pioneer who helped regenerate London after the Second World War.

Joe worked all his life for many charitable causes and had a deep concern for the welfare of young people. His longstanding interest in youth causes began as a member and manager at Brady Boys’ Club. He subsequently became a Vice-President of the London Federation of Boys’ Clubs, now London Youth.

In 1963 he became a Founder Trustee of the Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust, now the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, acting as Chairman until his retirement in 1984.

Lawrence Levy 1947 – 1995

Lawrence, Joe’s youngest son, was one of the world’s foremost golf photographers. His passion for the game led to his interest in the England and Wales Blind Golf charity, and his strong affinity with young people led him to become an early supporter of the Chicken Shed Theatre Company. Lawrence also helped establish the Cystic Fibrosis Holiday Fund, which provided respite for young people with cystic fibrosis for nearly 40 years.

In 1993 Lawrence began to reduce his assignments to dedicate more time to his philanthropic concerns, although sadly his premature death two years later from cancer prevented many of his ideas coming to fruition.

A selection of Lawrence’s photographic work can be viewed on the University of St Andrews website.