Sri Sathya Sai Charitable Trust Uk

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £237,498 (2023-24 expenditure)
• Income: £78,324 (2023-24)
• Grant Range: £20,000+ (based on documented projects)
• Geographic Focus: International (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Haiti, Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, Zambia, UK)
• Application Process: No public application process - trustee discretion
• Founded: 1979

Contact Details

Website: www.srisathyasaitrust.org.uk

Email: secretary@srisathyasaitrust.org.uk

Phone: +447429138939

Postal Address: PO Box 10670, LE41 9JQ

General Enquiries: contact@srisathyasaitrust.org.uk

Overview

The Sri Sathya Sai Charitable Trust UK was founded in 1979 by Sri Sathya Sai Baba and is registered as charity number 278481. Operating with the guiding principle “Service to Man is Service to God,” the Trust is a grant-making body supporting the advancement of education and the relief of poverty and sickness. With total expenditure of £237,498 in 2023-24 and income of £78,324, the Trust draws on reserves to fund its international charitable work. The charity is governed by six trustees who receive no remuneration. Since its inception, the Trust has focused on supporting institutions that provide free education, healthcare, clean drinking water, food provisions, and emergency relief during natural disasters across multiple countries including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Haiti, Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, and Zambia.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The Trust operates according to the “Five Streams of Activity” framework:

Educare - Education with character development and refinement, focusing on personality development, broadmindedness, and moral values rather than just academic knowledge accumulation.

Healthcare - Comprehensive, state-of-the-art, and free healthcare services to those who need it, with emphasis on preventative care and healthy lifestyles regardless of socioeconomic status.

Aquacare - Clean drinking water projects, having provided water facilities to over 700 villages in Andhra Pradesh, India since 1994.

Sociocare - Community development initiatives recognizing that individuals find fulfillment within society.

Ecocare - Environmental protection and sustainability initiatives.

Geographic Focus

The Trust prioritizes international development work in:

• South Asia: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka
• Africa: Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, Zambia
• Caribbean: Haiti
• United Kingdom: Domestic projects

Recent Grant Examples

• Nepal - Sathya Sai School Kitchen Facilities: £20,000 for kitchen and two dining halls (1,650 square feet each) in Pokhara
• Nepal - Girls' Hostel: Funding for girls' hostel at children's orphanage and school in Pokhara to combat human trafficking of vulnerable rural girls
• Nepal - Medical Camp 2015: Supported 61 UK healthcare professionals conducting free healthcare camps across 4 locations, serving approximately 10,000 people in remote areas following the severe earthquake
• Haiti - ESSE Outreach Programme: Human values education in three schools in Port-au-Prince's poorest neighborhoods providing free kindergarten and primary education

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Trust appears to focus exclusively on projects aligned with their five streams of activity and the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. All funded projects must be provided free of cost to beneficiaries.

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (6 trustees)

• Dr Venkata Veerabhadra Mudigonda - Chair (appointed 15 March 2014)
• Rajiv Kundra - Trustee (appointed 10 November 2023)
• Dr Jagannadha Pawan Tamvada - Trustee (appointed 2 April 2023); also holds trusteeships at Indian Cultural Association of Dorset and Share a Meal
• Subothini Gunasegaram - Trustee (appointed 10 November 2022)
• Khushal Jethwani - Trustee (appointed 24 April 2022)
• Dr Kirankumar Patel - Trustee (appointed 8 December 2015)

Governance Principles: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity. The Trust operates with full transparency, maintaining current reporting with the Charity Commission.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Trust operates under the discretion of its trustees for charitable purposes, “in particular for the advancement of education and for the relief of poverty and sickness.”

Grants appear to be awarded to institutions and projects identified by the trustees, often in collaboration with the wider Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation network. Projects are selected based on alignment with the five streams of activity and the Trust's mission to serve society's fundamental needs.

All projects supported by the Trust are “rendered free of cost to the beneficiaries in various countries, and with the voluntary contributions of various resources – such as time, skills, knowledge and funds – from generous donors.”

Getting on Their Radar

The Trust works closely with the Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation (SSSIO) network to identify projects. Organizations seeking support might consider:

• Connection to SSSIO: The Trust primarily supports projects within or connected to the global Sri Sathya Sai network of organizations and institutions
• Alignment with Philosophy: Projects must align with Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teachings and the principle “Service to Man is Service to God”
• Free Service Model: All beneficiary services must be provided completely free of cost
• Direct Contact: Organizations can reach out via secretary@srisathyasaitrust.org.uk or contact@srisathyasaitrust.org.uk to introduce their work, though unsolicited applications may not be accepted

Application Success Factors

Given the Trust's approach to grant-making, the following factors appear critical:

Alignment with Core Philosophy: Projects must embody the principle “Service to Man is Service to God” and focus on serving fundamental human needs (education, health, poverty relief) without charge to beneficiaries.

Connection to SSSIO Network: The Trust appears to primarily support institutions within or closely connected to the global Sri Sathya Sai movement and organisation network.

Focus on Character Development: Education projects should emphasize “educare” - education with refinement or culture - focusing on personality development, broadmindedness, and character alongside academics, as stated on their website: “Education with Refinement or Culture.”

Comprehensive Healthcare Approach: Healthcare projects should follow Bhagawan Baba's direction “to render comprehensive, state-of-the-art and free of cost services in the field of healthcare to those who need it.”

Vulnerable Populations: The Trust demonstrates interest in serving the most vulnerable, such as their support for the Nepal girls' hostel project combating human trafficking, and medical camps in remote areas.

Disaster Relief Capacity: The Trust responds to emergency situations, as evidenced by their continued support for Nepal earthquake relief and rehabilitation efforts since 2015.

Multi-Country Impact: Projects serving populations in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Haiti, Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, Zambia, and similar developing contexts appear prioritized.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This Trust operates through trustee discretion rather than open applications - building relationships within the Sri Sathya Sai movement is essential
• Free Service Requirement: All projects funded must provide services completely free of cost to beneficiaries - this is non-negotiable
• Values-Driven: Projects must align with Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teachings and the five streams of activity (Educare, Healthcare, Aquacare, Sociocare, Ecocare)
• International Development Focus: Strong emphasis on supporting institutions in developing countries, particularly South Asia and Africa
• Long-Term Commitment: The Trust demonstrates sustained commitment to regions and causes (e.g., continued Nepal earthquake relief since 2015)
• Network Connections: Connection to the Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation network appears to be the primary pathway to funding
• Spending from Reserves: With 2023-24 expenditure (£237,498) significantly exceeding income (£78,324), the Trust is actively deploying its reserves for charitable purposes

References

• Sri Sathya Sai Charitable Trust UK Official Website -
• Charity Commission Register - Charity 278481 -
• About Page - Sri Sathya Sai Charitable Trust UK -
• Projects Page - Sri Sathya Sai Charitable Trust UK -
• Educare Page - Sri Sathya Sai Charitable Trust UK -
• Trustees - Sri Sathya Sai Charitable Trust UK -
• Contact Page - Sri Sathya Sai Charitable Trust UK -