Sanita Merali Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately £183,000 - £245,000 (based on recent expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (no open application process)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: Variable (documented grants range from thousands to tens of thousands of pounds)
• Geographic Focus: Sheffield City primarily, with international reach (particularly East Africa)
• Total Funds Held: £2.6 million (as of 2022)

Contact Details

• Address: 209-211 Whitham Road, Sheffield S10 2SP
• Phone: 0114 266 6111
• Email: info@merali-lettings.co.uk

Overview

The Sanita Merali Trust was established in 2008 as a charitable trust registered with the Charity Commission (number 1125967). The trust operates as a grant-making organisation with dual objectives: supporting medical research and care (particularly cancer-related) and advancing the Islamic religion in accordance with the doctrines of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri faith. The trust also works to improve community facilities to ensure inclusivity.

With total funds of approximately £2.6 million, the trust has demonstrated consistent grant-making activity, with annual expenditure ranging from £168,000 to £245,000 in recent years. The trust supports both individuals and organisations, and sponsors research activities. Notable recent grants include support for the Africa Federation's Madina Residency housing project for community members facing financial challenges, and funding towards Horatio's Garden Sheffield, which creates therapeutic gardens in NHS spinal injury centres.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust makes grants across several areas:

• Cancer Research and Care: Treatment, care, and research into cancer and cancerous diseases
• Community Housing Support: Grants towards housing deposits for families facing financial hardship (documented grants of US$15,000 - US$30,000 per family)
• Healthcare Facilities: Support for therapeutic healthcare environments (e.g., Horatio's Garden Sheffield)
• Community Facilities: Improving inclusivity and accessibility of community spaces

Priority Areas

• Education and training
• Health advancement and life-saving initiatives
• Disability support
• Overseas aid and famine relief
• Human rights, religious harmony, and equality/diversity
• Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community support worldwide

What They Don't Fund

• No explicit exclusions documented
• Based on objectives, funding appears focused on cancer/health causes and community benefit aligned with trust purposes

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Simon England – Chair
• Murtaza Gulamabbas Merali – Trustee (also known as Alhaj Murtaza bhai Merali)
• Farah Merali – Trustee (appointed January 2019)
• Nimah Merali – Trustee (appointed January 2019)

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trust is closely connected to Merali Lettings Ltd, a Sheffield-based property management company located at the same address, which appears to provide funding to the trust.

Murtaza Merali has been publicly acknowledged for his role in facilitating major grants, including the Africa Federation housing project grant in 2024.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees, and there is no documented open application procedure, online portal, or application form.

The trust appears to make grants through:

• Trustee identification of suitable beneficiaries
• Relationships with affiliated organisations (particularly the World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Communities)
• Direct approaches from known organisations

Getting on Their Radar

Based on documented grant recipients and the trust's community connections:

• World Federation Connection: The trust works alongside The World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Communities. The Africa Federation housing grant was facilitated through the efforts of Alhaj Ahmed Daya, Executive Councillor of The World Federation. Organisations connected to this network may have better access.

• Sheffield Healthcare Charities: The trust has supported Horatio's Garden Sheffield, suggesting interest in local healthcare initiatives. Sheffield-based health charities may approach through direct contact.

• Cancer Research Focus: Organisations working in cancer research, treatment, or patient care align with the trust's core objectives and may wish to make direct contact outlining their work.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no standard application process.

Success Rates

Not available - grants are made at trustee discretion rather than through competitive application.

Reapplication Policy

No information available.

Application Success Factors

Given the trust's approach, organisations seeking support should consider:

• Alignment with Trust Objectives: Strong focus on cancer research/care and Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community benefit
• Sheffield Connection: The trust's geographic focus is Sheffield City, though international grants have been made to community-connected projects
• Demonstrable Impact: The housing grant example shows interest in tangible outcomes (10 families supported with specific deposit amounts)
• Community Connection: Relationship with The World Federation or the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community appears to facilitate grant access
• Healthcare Quality: Support for Horatio's Garden demonstrates interest in high-quality therapeutic healthcare environments

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - grants are made at trustee discretion, typically through existing relationships and community networks
• Dual focus: Cancer research/care AND Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community support are the primary charitable purposes
• Significant capacity: With £2.6 million in funds and consistent annual expenditure of £180,000-£245,000, the trust has meaningful resources to deploy
• Community network access: Connection to The World Federation of KSIMC appears to be a route to funding for appropriate projects
• Sheffield base: Local Sheffield organisations, particularly in healthcare, may have an advantage
• Family trust: The Merali family manages the trust through their property business; direct personal approaches may be more effective than formal applications
• International reach: Despite Sheffield focus, the trust has made significant grants to Africa Federation projects for community members worldwide

References

• Charity Commission Register - Sanita Merali Trust Overview
• Charity Commission - Trustees
• Charity Commission - What, Who, How, Where
• Giving is Great - Charity Factsheet
• Africa Federation - Sanita Merali Trust Grant Announcement
• Horatio's Garden - How We Are Funded
• Charity Choice - Sanita Merali Trust

Information compiled December 2025