Palan Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Over ??4 million total distributed (since 2013)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-based model)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: UK and India (primarily Gujarat)

Contact Details

Address: 156 Cromwell Road, London SW7 4EF

Phone: 07715110239

Email: npalan@aol.com

Website: https://www.palanfoundation.co.uk/

Note: The foundation appears to work with pre-selected partners and organizations rather than accepting unsolicited applications. Direct contact is recommended to discuss potential partnership opportunities.

Overview

The Palan Foundation was established in 2013 as a charitable company (charity number 1155152) by Nitin and Kamu Palan, who serve as its trustees. Previously known as the Golden Tours Foundation, the charity has distributed over ??4 million in grants to various causes since its inception. The foundation's mission is to promote social justice and combat poverty through education, and by investing in people and local communities, aims to break down barriers of inequality and inspire people with life-changing opportunities. Nitin Palan was awarded an MBE in 2017 for his considerable charitable efforts. The foundation operates through a trilogy of focus areas: education, heritage, and interfaith relations, with particular emphasis on supporting children and young people, Hindu organisations, and heritage projects commemorating Indian contributions to British history.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Palan Foundation does not appear to operate formal open grant programs but rather works through strategic partnerships and long-term commitments with selected organizations. Funding is provided through:

• Scholarships and educational grants: Supporting children and young people through scholarships, maintenance allowances, and grants
• Organisational support: Providing grants to Hindu organisations for advancement of religion, interfaith activities, education, and community matters
• Heritage projects: Major funding for commemoration and educational initiatives
• Capacity building: Financial assistance, specialist consultancy, and mentoring

Application Method: Appears to be invitation-only or relationship-based rather than open rolling applications

Priority Areas

Education & Youth Development:

• Educational programmes in India to improve literacy and opportunities for young people
• Particular focus on girls' education to promote equality for women
• Scholarships and teaching opportunities through partnerships (e.g., Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies)
• Support for schools in Gujarat, India including Kumar Chatralaya (136 students) and Swaminarayan Vidyamandir
• Development of skills and capabilities for young people through recreational and leisure activities

Hindu Faith & Interfaith Relations:

• Grants to Hindu organisations established for advancement of religion
• Interfaith dialogue and understanding
• Community support and social matters within Hindu communities
• Support for Action for Harmony initiative uniting Hindu organisations across the UK
• Conferences and symposiums promoting Hindu community cohesion

Heritage & Culture:

• India1914.com project commemorating Indian soldiers in WWI (partnership with Heritage Lottery Fund)
• Conferences, exhibitions, and educational resources about Indian contributions to British history
• Mobile exhibitions and e-books
• Cultural arts programmes

Health & Wellbeing:

• Promotion of yoga education and practice
• Health through education initiatives
• Teacher training and resources

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's specific exclusions are not publicly listed, however the focus is clearly on:

• Education (particularly for disadvantaged communities)
• Hindu faith and interfaith work
• Indian heritage and culture

Projects outside these core areas are unlikely to receive funding.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

Nitin Palan, MBE - Co-founder and Trustee

Nitin's family emigrated to the UK during the Ugandan mass exodus of 1972 when President Idi Amin expelled over 70,000 Asians. He founded Golden Tours with his wife in 1984. He served as a Trustee for the Inter Faith Network of the UK (2009-2019) and the Hindu Christian Forum (2013-2015). He was awarded an MBE in 2017 for his charitable work. Nitin has stated: "Faith in a higher being helps in building one's own faith through the social and economic hardship of life."

Kamu Palan - Co-founder and Trustee

Kamu co-founded the foundation with Nitin and runs authentic and personalised Yoga plus Mudra classes daily, reflecting the foundation's commitment to health through education.

Mikesh Palan - Director

Also serves in a leadership capacity for the foundation.

The foundation is described as an independent charitable organisation, suggesting autonomy in decision-making and strategic direction.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Palan Foundation does not appear to accept unsolicited grant applications through an open portal or formal application process. Based on publicly available information, the foundation operates through:

• Strategic partnerships: Long-term commitments to key projects and partner organisations
• Pre-selected organisations: Working with established charities and institutions aligned with their mission
• Relationship-based funding: Direct contact and relationship building with the trustees

Organisations interested in funding should contact the foundation directly via email (npalan@aol.com) or phone (07715110239) to discuss potential partnership opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the relationship-based model, timelines likely vary depending on the nature and scale of the proposed partnership.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation works with a select group of partner organisations rather than processing large volumes of applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-based model. Relationships with the foundation appear to be ongoing rather than application-cycle based.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's proactive, invitation-based grantmaking model, success in securing funding appears to depend on:

Alignment with Core Mission Areas:

• Projects must directly support education (particularly for disadvantaged youth), Hindu faith/interfaith relations, or heritage projects related to Indian culture and history
• Strong preference for initiatives that “promote social justice and combat poverty through education”
• Emphasis on projects that “break down barriers of inequality and inspire people with life-changing opportunities”

Strategic Fit:

• The foundation has long-term commitments to key projects rather than funding many small initiatives
• Partner organisations tend to be well-established, such as Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, and Heritage Lottery Fund collaborations
• Projects in India (particularly Gujarat) and UK-based Hindu community initiatives are favoured

Holistic Support Approach:

• The foundation doesn't just provide funding but also offers “specialist consultancy and mentoring”
• Partners benefit from capacity building support beyond financial assistance
• Projects that allow for deeper, sustained engagement are preferred

Community Impact:

• Focus on girls' education and women's equality in Indian contexts
• Youth development and skill-building opportunities
• Community cohesion within Hindu diaspora communities

Recent Funded Projects as Examples:

• Kumar Chatralaya and Swaminarayan Vidyamandir schools in Gujarat
• India1914.com heritage project with conferences, exhibitions, and publications
• Action for Harmony Conference 2024 bringing together 300+ attendees from 165 Hindu organisations
• Scholarships and teaching positions at Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
• Yoga education and teacher training programmes

Building Relationships:

• Given Nitin Palan's background in interfaith work (Inter Faith Network UK, Hindu Christian Forum), connections within these communities may be valuable
• The foundation values shared vision and collaborative approaches
• Personal connection to trustees and their areas of passion (education, interfaith work, heritage) is likely important

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only model: The Palan Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; funding decisions are made proactively through strategic partnerships with pre-selected organisations
• Relationship-driven: Direct contact with trustees and relationship-building is essential; the foundation values long-term partnerships over one-off grants
• Three core pillars: All funded work must align with education, heritage, or interfaith relations - projects outside these areas are unlikely to succeed
• Scale and impact focus: With over ??4 million distributed since 2013, the foundation makes substantial commitments to fewer organisations rather than many small grants
• Holistic support: Beyond funding, the foundation offers consultancy and mentoring - demonstrate openness to capacity building partnership
• Geographic priorities: Strong preference for UK-based Hindu community work and educational projects in Gujarat, India, particularly those supporting disadvantaged youth and girls' education
• Heritage emphasis: Unique focus on commemorating Indian contributions to British history, particularly WWI heritage projects - a distinctive niche for potential partners with relevant expertise

References

1. UK Charity Commission - Palan Foundation Charity Overview (1155152), Register of Charities, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1155152&subid=0

1. Palan Foundation Official Website - About Us, https://www.palanfoundation.co.uk/about-us

1. Palan Foundation Official Website - What We Do, https://www.palanfoundation.co.uk/what-we-do

1. Palan Foundation Official Website - Shaping Lives, https://www.palanfoundation.co.uk/shaping-lives

1. Palan Foundation Official Website - India 1914, https://www.palanfoundation.co.uk/india-1914

1. Palan Foundation Official Website - Harmony Conference 2024, https://www.palanfoundation.co.uk/harmony-conference-2024

1. India1914.com - Who is Palan Foundation, https://www.india1914.com/goldentoursfoundation.aspx

1. Fundraiso - Palan Foundation Profile, https://www.fundraiso.com/en/organisations/palan-foundation

1. UK Charity Commission - Palan Foundation Trustees, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5041335/trustees