Beacon Of Peace

Charity Number: 1161567

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M

Stay updated on changes from Beacon Of Peace and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately £360,000 (2024)
  • Total Distributed: Over £10.2 million since 1985
  • Charities Supported: 600+ UK registered charities
  • Grant Model: Event participation-based with discretionary grants
  • Geographic Focus: England, Wales, and Scotland
  • Volunteers: 5,200+ unpaid volunteers

Contact Details

Website: https://beaconofpeace.org

Email: charityliaison@beaconofpeace.org

Grant Funding Information: https://beaconofpeace.org/grant-funding/

Partner Programme: https://beaconofpeace.org/partner-programme/

Overview

Beacon of Peace (formerly Charity Walk For Peace) is a registered charity (No. 1161567) founded in 1985 as an initiative of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association. Since inception, the organization has distributed over £10.2 million to more than 600 UK registered charities. The charity operates a unique hybrid model combining fundraising events with discretionary grant-making. In 2024, the organization rebranded from CWFP to Beacon of Peace to reflect its expanded scope beyond charity walks. With 5,200 volunteers and zero administrative costs deducted from donations (all operational costs covered by membership subscriptions), Beacon of Peace provides both a fundraising platform and additional grant funding to partner charities. The organization's mission focuses on alleviating suffering, assisting those in need, fostering community cohesion, and promoting peace among people from all walks of life. Recent financial accounts show annual expenditure on charitable activities of approximately £360,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Partner Programme Grant Funding

  • Grant amounts are discretionary, determined by the executive committee
  • 100% of funds raised by participating charities through Beacon of Peace events are returned to them
  • Additional grant funding awarded on top of fundraised amounts
  • Recent example: Over £18,000 distributed to Scottish charities through 2024 Scotland 5K Fun Walk/Run
  • Application method: Online partner programme application form (rolling basis with event participation requirements)

Priority Areas

Beacon of Peace supports charities working in alignment with their core purposes:

  • Alleviation of poverty
  • Relief and assistance of people in need
  • Relieving financial hardship, sickness, and poor health among elderly people
  • Promotion of religious harmony for public benefit
  • Supporting vulnerable people through practical help and support

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations not registered as charities in England, Wales, or Scotland (though schools and non-registrable charitable groups serving local communities may be eligible)
  • Organizations unable to commit to minimum 10 participants in Beacon of Peace events
  • Organizations unwilling to fundraise through the BoP JustGiving platform
Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for Beacon Of Peace?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The charity is governed by 5 trustees who receive no remuneration for their services.

Organizational Structure

  • Executive Committee: Reviews and approves grant applications and makes discretionary funding decisions
  • Regional Coordinators: Support partner charities in their areas
  • 5,200 Volunteers: All organizers are unpaid volunteers ensuring 100% of donations reach beneficiaries

Operational Model

A distinctive feature is that all operational costs are met by membership subscriptions from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association, ensuring no administrative costs are deducted from charitable donations.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Partner Programme Application

Complete the online partner programme application form available through the Beacon of Peace website. If applying for grant funding, select the appropriate option in the registration form after reading the terms and conditions.

Step 2: Engage with Regional Coordinator

Contact a regional coordinator to discuss your organization's participation and grant funding needs.

Step 3: Executive Committee Review

The executive committee assesses all applications and makes discretionary decisions on grant funding approval.

Step 4: Participation Requirements

  • Minimum 10 registered participants in a Beacon of Peace event
  • Fundraise through BoP's JustGiving platform
  • Promote BoP events on your website and marketing channels
  • Attend BoP events as a participant organization

Step 5: Grant Award and Reporting

  • If approved, grants must be used for the “Approved Grant Project” within 6 months
  • Submit quarterly reports on fund usage
  • BoP reserves the right to audit fund usage

Decision Timeline

Decisions are made on a rolling basis by the executive committee. Timeline varies depending on upcoming events and when applications are submitted relative to event schedules.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. Over 600 charities have been supported since 1985, indicating broad accessibility for qualifying organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations can participate in multiple events across different years. The model encourages ongoing partnership rather than one-time grants.

Application Success Factors

Unique Model Understanding

This is not a traditional grant-maker. Success requires understanding that grant funding is supplementary to fundraising participation. Organizations should view this as a partnership opportunity that provides both fundraising infrastructure and potential matched/additional funding.

Event Participation Commitment

The minimum 10 participants requirement is fundamental. Organizations should demonstrate ability to mobilize supporters for walks, runs, and other Beacon of Peace events before applying.

Alignment with Mission

While Beacon of Peace supports a broad range of charitable work, organizations should demonstrate alignment with their core purposes: alleviating poverty, assisting vulnerable people, promoting community cohesion, and supporting elderly people in need.

Use of Approved Platforms

All fundraising must go through the BoP JustGiving platform. Organizations should be prepared to use this specific infrastructure rather than their own fundraising systems.

Community Engagement

The organization values face-to-face participation and community building. Applications demonstrating genuine commitment to attending and participating in events (not just receiving funding) are more likely to succeed.

Promotional Partnership

BoP expects partner charities to promote events through their channels. Organizations should be willing to feature BoP on their websites and marketing materials.

Reporting and Accountability

Grant recipients must submit quarterly reports and accept potential audits. Organizations with strong financial controls and reporting capabilities will be better positioned to comply.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Hybrid Model: This is a participation-based grant program requiring event engagement, not a traditional desk-based application process
  • 100% Return: All funds raised through their platform are returned without deductions, with discretionary grants added on top
  • Minimum Threshold: Must commit to at least 10 participants in Beacon of Peace events to qualify for grant consideration
  • Zero Administration Costs: Unique model where all operational costs are covered separately, ensuring maximum charitable impact
  • Rolling Opportunities: Multiple events throughout the year across different UK regions provide various participation opportunities
  • Long-Term Partnership: Best suited for organizations seeking ongoing fundraising support and partnership rather than one-off grants
  • Discretionary Awards: Grant amounts are not published; funding decisions made case-by-case by executive committee based on participation and need

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References