Applications will only be accepted from recognised social organisations such as charities, housing associations, schools and social services acting on behalf of a family or individual in need.
Grants of up to £2,000 are available for eligible individuals and families, but only in exceptional circumstances will individual grants exceed £500.
The Foundation distributes both Zakat and Sadaqah funds; please read our Zakat Distribution Policy for more information.
To be eligible for a small grant or donation, the following criteria must be met.
Priorities
The Foundation’s trustees give priority to:
- the most financially excluded people
- families over individuals
- those with caring responsibilities
- items that will make the most difference to the individual/family’s long-term future
What we fund
Other than in exceptional cases, Hardship Grants will only be made available for:
- Household items (white goods and occasionally other items i.e. sofas, wardrobes etc.)
- Basic Living Expenses (Utilities or food)
- Work- or education-related expenses (interview clothes, school uniforms, laptops)
- Rent arrears and Council tax arrears, but only where there is a clear and obvious risk of homelessness (for rent arrears involving a social landlord please outline what support has already been offered to your tenant)
- Contribution to immigration-related costs, where the current immigration status directly causes financial hardship to the applicant
What we do NOT fund:
- Higher education tuition fees or maintenance during study (please refer to the annual Scholars’ Fund for this)
- Private school fees for primary or secondary education
- Repayments of credit card debts
- Pet care
- Water bill arrears
- Non-essential items (such as TV licences or TVs)
- Applicants who are already on an IVA or debt management solution
- Unspecified costs
We are hugely over-subscribed at present and do not have sufficient funds to award all of the requests we receive. If you have already received a grant from us we will be unable to give you another grant. Applications are assessed every six weeks and you can expect a response within eight weeks of your application.
