N Sethia Foundation

Charity Number: 1049481

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ??74,179 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable - invitation/relationship-based only
  • Decision Time: Not disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies widely - from temple donations to multi-million pound medical research facilities
  • Geographic Focus: UK and India primarily, with some international projects
  • Application Process: No public application process - trustee-directed giving

Contact Details

Address: N Sethia House, 105 St John Street, London EC1M 4AS

Phone: 0207 814 9014

Email: Amrao@sethia-london.com

Website: www.nirmalsethiafoundation.com

Note: Contact details are for informational purposes only. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The N Sethia Foundation was established by trust deed on 22 August 1995 and registered as a UK charity (number 1049481) on 27 September 1995. Founded by industrialist and philanthropist Nirmal Sethia, the foundation operates as a private family trust with reported total giving of nearly ??1 billion across its lifetime. With an annual charitable expenditure of ??74,179 (2023), the foundation makes strategic grants in medical research, education, religious institutions, cultural preservation, and disaster relief. The foundation is funded entirely through profits from Newby Teas, the luxury tea company owned by Nirmal Sethia, creating what he describes as a “virtuous cycle of sustainable giving.” The foundation operates without borrowing from banks or outside shareholders, maintaining complete independence in its grant-making decisions. All grants are selected proactively by trustees Nirmal Sethia (founder) and his daughter Richa Sethia, with a particular focus on projects memorializing the late Chitra Sethia, Nirmal's wife who passed away.

Funding Priorities

Grant-Making Areas

The N Sethia Foundation makes grants across several broad categories:

Medical Research & Healthcare

  • Major capital projects at leading institutions (Imperial College London, UCL)
  • Specialist treatment centers (autism, surgical robotics)
  • NHS support initiatives

Education

  • Women's education in India (particularly post-graduate education)
  • Scholarships, tuition fees, and bursaries
  • School building and maintenance

Religious & Cultural Preservation

  • Hindu temple construction and restoration (UK and India)
  • Christian church restoration (UK)
  • Jain institutions
  • Cultural galleries and museums (V&A Museum)

Disaster Relief

  • Emergency response funding (specifics not disclosed)

Social Programs

  • Relief of the sick, elderly, disabled, and destitute
  • Support for orphans
  • Community development

Major Grant Recipients

Known organizations and projects that have received funding include:

  • Imperial College London - Chitra Nirmal Sethia Surgical Technology Hub at St Mary's Hospital (opened January 2015 by HRH The Prince of Wales)
  • University College London (UCL) - Chitra Sethia Centre for Robotics & Minimal Access Surgery; Chitra Nirmal Sethia Floor at UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation; Centre for Research in Autism and Education (2016)
  • Victoria & Albert Museum - Chitra Nirmal Sethia Gallery (Central Cast Gallery, reopened November 2018)
  • Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust - Chitra Sethia Autism Centre, Cambridge (opened September 2013 by HRH The Countess of Wessex)
  • Shri Venkateswara Balaji Temple, Birmingham - Single largest donor to the Tirupati Temple
  • Sona Devi Sethia PG Girls College, Rajasthan - Sole source of funding and management (educates 1,500 students, houses 200 in hostels; has educated over 40,000 girls since 1965)
  • Friends of National Libraries - First substantial donor to the Prince of Wales Fund (contributed to ??1 million capital fund)
  • The Prince's Trust - Youth development programs
  • St Mary the Virgin Church, Charlton Mackrell, Somerset - Substantial donation for restoration (2020)
  • ISKCON New Gokul - Center for cow and ox protection
  • Hindu Cultural Society of Bradford - Temple and community center
  • Various temple construction projects in India including TTD Temple at Kurukshetra, Haryana (inaugurated 2018) and Balaji Temple, Salasar, Rajasthan

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation does not appear to fund:

  • General operating costs for organizations
  • Small community projects
  • Individual applicants
  • Organizations outside their strategic focus areas
  • Applications from organizations unknown to the trustees
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Mr. Nirmal Kumar Sethia - Founder and Trustee

Born in Kolkata on 8 November 1941, son of late Sri Sohan Lalji Sethia. Based in London for over 50 years. Chairman of N. Sethia Group with interests in security printing, banknote ink production, sugar refining, power generation, tea plantations, and property investment. Began his career at age 14 as a tea taster and became Chairman of the Sethia Group at age 23. Former Development Board Member of The Prince's Trust. Founding Trustee of the Institute of Jainology in the UK. Also serves as trustee of two Indian charities: N Sethia Foundation (India) and the Nirmal Sethia Charitable Trust.

Ms. Richa Sethia - Trustee

Daughter of Nirmal Kumar Sethia. Works alongside her father in managing the foundation's activities.

Key Quotes from Leadership

On his philanthropic philosophy, Nirmal Sethia has stated: “Ninety-five percent of my time goes to charity.”

He credits his late wife's influence on his charitable work: “Chitra was not only my wife, soulmate, and mother of my children but also my teacher. She taught me that the first step to divinity is gratitude.”

On the foundation's business model: "We don't borrow from banks, and we don't allow outside shareholding," emphasizing the company's financial independence which enables sustained philanthropic giving.

The foundation's stated mission is to “help alleviate the misery of the underprivileged sector of society and offer them an opportunity for a better tomorrow.”

Governance Notes

  • No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
  • The charity has no trading subsidiaries
  • All funding comes from Newby Teas profits
  • Accounts and annual returns are filed on time with the Charity Commission
  • Most recent accounts filed 03 February 2025 for year ending 05 April 2024

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The N Sethia Foundation operates as a private family foundation making strategic donations to selected institutions and projects. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on their personal interests and strategic priorities, rather than through an open application process.

The foundation appears to identify funding opportunities through:

  • Personal connections of the trustees
  • Major institutions where trustees have existing relationships
  • Proactive identification of projects aligned with foundation priorities
  • Memorial projects honoring the late Chitra Sethia

Organizations cannot apply for funding through a standard application process. All grants are initiated by the foundation's trustees.

Getting on Their Radar

IMPORTANT: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. However, based on research into their funding patterns, organizations might increase their visibility through:

Specific sectors of interest: The foundation has demonstrated sustained interest in:

  • Leading UK medical research institutions, particularly those working in surgical innovation, immunology, and autism research
  • Women's education initiatives, especially in India
  • Hindu and Jain religious institutions
  • Cultural preservation projects at major UK museums
  • Church restoration projects in Somerset and surrounding areas

Board connections: Mr. Nirmal Sethia's previous role as Development Board Member of The Prince's Trust suggests relationships through high-profile charitable boards may lead to funding relationships. His role as Founding Trustee of the Institute of Jainology indicates strong connections within the Jain community.

Geographic connections: The foundation has particular interest in:

  • London-based institutions (Imperial College, UCL, V&A Museum)
  • Cambridge healthcare projects
  • Somerset church restoration
  • Rajasthan educational projects
  • Birmingham Hindu community

Memorial naming opportunities: Many of the foundation's largest grants have resulted in facilities named after Chitra Sethia. Major institutions offering naming opportunities for significant donations in areas of interest to the foundation may be more likely to attract attention.

Personal interests of the founder: Nirmal Sethia's background in the tea industry, Jain faith, and commitment to women's education (inspired by his father's legacy) appear to influence funding decisions.

Decision Timeline

Not disclosed. The foundation does not publish information about decision-making timescales.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation does not accept applications, so there is no success rate for applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. The foundation does not have an application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional “success factors” do not apply. However, analysis of their funded projects reveals patterns that characterize the types of opportunities the trustees support:

Scale and Prestige

The foundation favors major capital projects at prestigious institutions. Recent funding has established named facilities at Imperial College London, UCL, V&A Museum, and Cambridge NHS Foundation Trust. These are not small grants but transformative donations that result in permanent facilities bearing the Sethia name.

Memorial Projects

Nearly all major UK healthcare projects are named in memory of Chitra Sethia, suggesting that memorial naming opportunities are particularly attractive to the foundation. The foundation has created: Chitra Nirmal Sethia Surgical Technology Hub, Chitra Nirmal Sethia Floor at UCL, Chitra Sethia Centre for Robotics & Minimal Access Surgery, Chitra Sethia Autism Centre, and Chitra Nirmal Sethia Gallery.

Long-Term Relationships

The foundation's sole funding and management of Sona Devi Sethia PG Girls College since 1965 demonstrates commitment to sustained, generational funding relationships rather than one-off grants. The college was originally established by Nirmal Sethia's father, showing that family legacy plays a significant role.

Strategic Sectors

The pattern of grants reveals clear strategic priorities:

  • Medical innovation: Surgical robotics, minimal access surgery, immunology, autism research
  • Women's empowerment: Education for girls and women, particularly in India
  • Cultural preservation: Manuscripts, galleries, religious institutions
  • Faith-based institutions: Significant support for Hindu, Jain, and Christian organizations

Geographic Focus

While the foundation operates internationally, there is clear concentration in specific locations: London medical institutions, Cambridge healthcare, Somerset churches, Rajasthan education, and Birmingham Hindu community. This suggests trustees have personal or family connections to these areas.

Royal and High-Profile Endorsement

Multiple projects have been opened by members of the Royal Family (HRH The Prince of Wales, HRH The Countess of Wessex), suggesting the foundation values high-profile recognition and association with prestigious patrons.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not open to applications: This foundation does not accept grant applications. Do not submit unsolicited proposals.
  • Major capital projects only: Funding pattern shows preference for transformative, multi-million-pound capital projects at leading institutions, not program grants or small projects.
  • Memorial naming essential: Most major UK grants result in facilities named after Chitra Sethia; naming opportunities may be prerequisite for large donations.
  • Relationship-driven: All grants appear to flow from existing relationships with trustees; cold approaches are unlikely to succeed.
  • Family foundation model: With only two trustees (father and daughter), this is a private family foundation making personal philanthropic choices, not an institutional grant-maker.
  • Sustained commitment: The 60-year support of Sona Devi Sethia College shows the foundation prefers long-term relationships over one-off grants.
  • Strategic focus areas: Medical research (especially surgical innovation and autism), women's education in India, Hindu/Jain religious institutions, and cultural preservation are clear priorities.
  • Geographic concentration: Strong focus on London medical institutions, Cambridge healthcare, Somerset, Rajasthan, and Birmingham suggests personal/family connections drive geographic choices.

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