Oinoussai Benevolent Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £144,365 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Individual grants vary
• Geographic Focus: UK-based with Greek community focus

Contact Details

• Website: www.obfcharity.com
• Registered Address: 24 Baltic Street West, London EC1Y 0UR

Overview

The Oinoussai Benevolent Fund (OBF) is a UK registered charity (1180575) established in 1942 by Oinoussians living in London to provide charitable support to individuals and organisations connected with the Greek island of Oinousses who were suffering from wartime difficulties. Following the liberation of Greece, the Distress Fund was renamed the Oinoussai Benevolent Fund. The charity was formally registered with the Charity Commission in 2017 and operates as a grant-making trust that provides financial assistance for education, welfare, and community support. With annual expenditure of approximately £144,365 (2024), the fund maintains a strong focus on supporting educational initiatives, hardship relief, and cultural preservation within the Greek diaspora community while also supporting broader charitable causes in the UK.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The fund operates through trustee-discretion grants rather than formal programmes, focusing on:

• Educational support and scholarships
• Hardship and welfare assistance
• Community organisation support
• Cultural and heritage preservation projects

Priority Areas

• Education and training support for individuals with Greek heritage
• Welfare assistance for individuals facing financial hardship
• Support for Greek community organisations and cultural activities
• General charitable purposes benefiting the wider community

What They Don't Fund

Information on specific exclusions is not publicly available.

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Governance and Leadership

The fund is governed by a board of trustees who make grant decisions on a discretionary basis. John M. Hadjipateras has served as President since 2016. The charity operates from its registered office in London and maintains connections with the Greek shipping and business community.

How to Apply to Oinoussai Benevolent Fund

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees, typically to organisations and individuals already known to the fund or through referrals from within the Greek community network.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

As this is a trustee-discretion fund without a public application process, success factors include:

• Established connections within the Greek community
• Clear demonstration of need or impact
• Alignment with the fund's focus on education, welfare, and cultural preservation
• Projects that benefit the Greek diaspora or broader community welfare

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Oinoussai Benevolent Fund operates primarily through trustee discretion rather than open applications
• Strong focus on Greek community needs, particularly education and welfare
• Building relationships within the Greek community network is essential for access
• The fund supports both individuals and organisations
• Annual giving of approximately £144,365 indicates capacity for meaningful grants
• Located in central London with connections to the Greek business community

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Avra Foundation
• The Hellenic Initiative (uk)
• Migrant And Asylum Seeker Solidarity And Action
• Greek Animal Rescue (uk)
• The Michael Marks Charitable Trust
• Greek Cat Welfare Society (uk)
• Christos Lazari Foundation
• Hellenic Hope
• Caring For The Animals Trust
• The Jephcott Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales - Charity Details for Oinoussai Benevolent Fund (1180575)
• Companies House - Company Details (10847931)
• OBF Website: www.obfcharity.com
• Charity financial information from 2024 annual return
• Date accessed: April 2026