The Badur Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £803,450 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Proactive/relationship-based (no fixed timeline)
• Grant Range: £200 - £161,560
• Geographic Focus: UK (North East England, London), Hungary, Laos, Malta

Contact Details

Address: Badur House, 40-44 Newman Street, London W1T 1QD

Phone: 020 7317 7365

Email: contact-us@badurfoundation.org

Website: www.badurfoundation.org

Overview

The Badur Foundation was established in 2011 as a charitable company (Charity Number 1142413) to tackle poverty, inequality, and environmental challenges for a fairer future. With total assets of £2.3 million retained for future use and annual charitable expenditure of £803,450 (2024), the Foundation takes a distinctive relationship-based approach to grantmaking. Operating across four countries—the UK, Hungary, Laos, and Malta—the Foundation proactively identifies and supports small to medium-sized grassroots organisations that help marginalized or disadvantaged communities. Between 2019-2024, the Foundation made 69 grants totaling over £1 million, reflecting their commitment to sustained, holistic support for locally embedded organisations working at the community level.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation does not operate fixed grant programs with set application deadlines. Instead, they:

• Proactively identify potential partners through their own research and networks
• Tailor funding and support based on each organisation's specific needs, size, and stage of development
• Provide grants ranging from £200 to £161,560
• Make grants in GBP and EUR
• Support both project and organisational development funding

Priority Areas

What They Fund:

• Grassroots organisations providing sustained, holistic support to marginalized communities
• Social enterprises tackling poverty and inequality through local reinvestment
• Organisations creating training and employment opportunities
• Community-level initiatives challenging social exclusion
• Environmental and sustainability projects
• Small to medium-sized organisations deeply embedded in their local communities
• Organisations working with disadvantaged youth, ethnic minorities, and vulnerable populations

Geographic Focus:

• UK: North East England (Durham, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Northumberland, South Tyneside, Sunderland), London (Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets), Nottingham
• International: Hungary, Laos, Malta

What They Don't Fund

• Organisations already achieving widespread support
• One-off events or simple signposting services
• Organisations not embedded at community level
• Large, well-established national charities

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Csaba Barta (Chairman)

• Finance professional with experience in investment banking, fund management, and private equity
• His commercial experience has led to Badur's active approach to supporting charities strategically and through capacity support

Judit Durst (Trustee)

• Doctorate in sociology from Corvinus University Budapest
• Research fellow at University College London's Anthropology Department
• Published extensively on poverty and ethnic minorities

Zsombor Barta (Trustee)

• Founding Partner of Greenbors Consulting Ltd
• Senior parliamentary advisor for sustainability
• Ambassador of Hungary Green Building Council
• Member of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Tehseen Overy (Trustee)

• Chartered Accountant with background in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science
• Experience in biotech, voluntary, and family office sectors

Senior Staff

Amy Harker (CEO, London Office)

• Extensive experience in the voluntary sector
• Passionate about “grassroots change”
• Quote: “We aim to build long-term partnerships with our grantees, working together to find practical solutions”

Mari Jones (Grants and Projects Officer, UK & Malta)

• Master's in Human Geography
• Experience in environmental organisations

Judit Koppány (Country Manager, Hungary)

• 10+ years in educational programmes for disadvantaged youth

Erzsébet Gulyás (Strategic Partnerships and Development Manager, Hungary)

• 20 years in local development focusing on social housing, energy poverty, and social exclusion

Nóra Bagdi (Grants Manager, Hungary)

• 20+ years supporting community initiatives focused on housing, equal rights, and inclusive solutions

How to Apply to The Badur Foundation

How to Apply

Important: The Badur Foundation is a proactive grantmaker. They do not accept open applications through a standard application portal.

If you believe your work aligns with their mission:

• Email: contact-us@badurfoundation.org with a brief description of your organisation and work
• Be prepared to demonstrate:
• Deep community embeddedness
• Sustained, holistic approach to supporting beneficiaries
• Small to medium organisational size
• Alignment with their geographic and thematic priorities

Decision Timeline

The Foundation takes a relationship-based approach with no fixed decision timeline. Board meetings are held in March, June, September, and November.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The Foundation supports a small number of organisations through long-term partnerships rather than making numerous one-off grants.

Reapplication Policy

No publicly available information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful approaches.

Application Success Factors

What Makes a Strong Fit:

1. Organisational Characteristics

• Small to medium-sized organisations
• Locally embedded and operating at community level
• Grassroots operations with deep community connections
• Track record of sustained, holistic support (not one-off services)

2. Mission Alignment

• Directly tackling poverty, inequality, or environmental challenges
• Challenging social exclusion
• Creating pathways to training and employment
• Social enterprises reinvesting profits locally

3. Approach and Values

The Foundation values organisations that:

• Provide holistic support beyond simple signposting
• Are adaptable and responsive to community needs
• Seek to build organisational capacity and resilience
• Demonstrate long-term commitment to their communities

Examples of Funded Projects:

• Sunshine Co-operative (UK): Creating a sustainable, local food system in Sunderland's East End
• ecoACTIVE (UK): Educating and inspiring young people about environmental action
• The Moses Project (UK): Providing hope and support in Stockton-on-Tees
• Clean Slate Solutions (UK): Supporting people with convictions into employment
• Rubies (UK): Empowering girls to discover their strengths
• Open Clasp Theatre Company (UK): Using theatre for social change
• Contemporary Roma Art Space Association (Hungary): Empowering progressive Roma art
• Community Museum of Buddhist Art (Laos): Protecting cultural heritage

Key Foundation Principle:

“We aim to build long-term partnerships with our grantees, working together to find practical solutions.”

The Foundation provides more than just funding—they offer holistic support utilising their team's skills and wider network to help organisations become more resilient.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Don't wait for an open call: The Badur Foundation proactively seeks partners. If your work aligns, reach out directly via email.

• Emphasise grassroots credentials: Demonstrate deep community embeddedness, local knowledge, and sustained engagement—not one-off interventions.

• Think partnership, not transaction: The Foundation seeks long-term relationships and provides capacity building support beyond funding alone.

• Size matters: They specifically prioritise small to medium organisations, not large established charities with widespread support.

• Geographic alignment is crucial: Focus areas are North East England, London (specific boroughs), Hungary, Laos, and Malta. Organisations outside these areas are unlikely to be considered.

• Holistic approach wins: Show how you provide comprehensive, sustained support rather than simple signposting or one-off events.

• Be patient with the process: As a relationship-based funder with no fixed application cycles, the process may take time and require relationship building.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Martin Laing Foundation
• Community Foundation Serving Tyne & Wear And Northumberland
• Lga Foundation
• The Millfield House Foundation
• The Carmela & Ronnie Pignatelli Foundation
• The Breadsticks Foundation
• Franks Family Foundation
• The Barbour Foundation
• The Hadrian Trust
• The Squires Foundation

References

1. The Badur Foundation official website - Our Approach page: https://www.badurfoundation.org/our-approach/

1. The Badur Foundation official website - Our Team page: https://www.badurfoundation.org/our-team/

1. The Badur Foundation official website - Current Projects: https://www.badurfoundation.org/projects/current-projects/

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - The Badur Foundation (Charity No. 1142413): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1142413

1. 360Giving GrantNav - The Badur Foundation grants data: https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-1142413

1. Companies House - THE BADUR FOUNDATION (Company No. 07657300): https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07657300

1. Scotland's International Development Alliance - Badur Foundation profile: https://intdevalliance.scot/membership/funding-update/badur-foundation/