Formed in 2002 as the Reuben Brothers Foundation with an initial endowment of US$100 million, grants are made by invitation only and on the approval of the Trustees.

The centre works study viral infections, identify areas of critical patient need, and adopt the results of current virus research into clinical practice.

[7][8][9][10] The Reuben Foundation Imaging Centre was officially opened in May 2015 by Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England.

[11] The Reuben Foundation provided funding for Jack Berry House in North Yorkshire, the IJF's second respite and rehabilitation centre for injured jockeys.

Within 12 months circa 19,000 volunteers from Team London had donated 250,000 hours of free time to help boost literacy, skills and green projects in the capital.