The Dr N K Shah Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £679,030 (2024)
• Total Income: £934,526 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: UK (London), Belgium, India, United States
• Application Process: No public application process

Contact Details

Charity Registration: 327291 (England and Wales)

The trust does not maintain a public website or published contact information. Contact details may be available through the Charity Commission register.

Overview

The Dr N K Shah Trust was established in 1986 as a private charitable trust focused on advancing education and religion, and relieving poverty globally. Led by a family board of trustees including Dr Samir Natvarlal Shah (President/Chair) and three other family members, the trust operates primarily to support Jain religious and educational organizations in the UK and internationally. With an income of £934,526 in 2024, predominantly from donations and legacies, the trust made charitable grants totaling £679,030. The trust works through established partnerships with organizations including The Jain Network, Jain Samaj Europe, Jain Sangha of Europe, Ahimsa for Quality of Life, Jain Academy, World Council of Jain Academies, and interfaith organizations. Trustees attend international conferences and meetings to identify opportunities for grants supporting poverty relief, religious education, and places of worship.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates through trustee-directed grant-making rather than formal programs. Grants are made for:

• Religious education and places of worship - supporting Jain temples, religious centers, and educational facilities
• Poverty relief - donations for relief of poverty in the UK and internationally
• Educational advancement - supporting education and training initiatives
• Health and animal welfare - supporting related charitable activities

Application Method: No public application process; grants made at trustee discretion to identified partner organizations

Priority Areas

Religious Focus: Primary focus on Jain religious organizations and initiatives, with some support for interfaith organizations

Educational Advancement: Support for religious education and training programs aligned with Jain values

Poverty Relief: Donations for poverty relief in the UK, Belgium, India, and United States

Geographic Areas:

• United Kingdom (particularly London)
• India
• Belgium
• United States

What They Don't Fund

The trust does not accept unsolicited applications. As a private family trust focused on Jain religious and educational organizations, funding is directed to pre-identified partners rather than the broader charitable sector.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (all family members, no remuneration):

• Dr Samir Natvarlal Shah - President/Chair (also serves as President of The Jain Network)
• Nita Shah - Trustee
• Leena Shah - Trustee
• Dr Ajay Manmohan Shah - Vice President

Governance Structure: Trust established by deed dated 6 September 1986, amended by order of Charity Commissioners dated 4 November 2003, supplemental deed 10 April 2004, and amended 26 December 2018.

Policies: The trust maintains policies for financial reserves, risk management, conflict of interest, and serious incident reporting.

Key Relationships: Dr Samir Shah's role as President of both the Dr N K Shah Trust and The Jain Network (a partner organization) demonstrates the close working relationships between the trust and its beneficiary organizations.

How to Apply to The Dr N K Shah Trust

How to Apply

This trust does not have a public application process.

The Dr N K Shah Trust operates as a private family trust that makes grants at the discretion of its trustees. Grants are directed to organizations with which the trustees have established relationships, primarily within the Jain community and related interfaith organizations.

The trust identifies grant recipients through:

• Trustee attendance at relevant international conferences and meetings
• Established partnerships with Jain organizations in the UK and internationally
• Direct relationships with beneficiary organizations

Organizations seeking funding should note that the trust works exclusively through pre-existing relationships rather than accepting unsolicited applications.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Grants are made at trustee discretion throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the trust does not accept unsolicited applications. However, partner organizations appear to receive recurring support.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations Already in Relationship with the Trust:

Given the trust's focused approach, organizations that receive support share these characteristics:

• Alignment with Jain values: Primary beneficiaries are Jain religious, educational, and charitable organizations that advance Jain principles including education, religious practice, and ahimsa (non-violence)

• Established track record: Partner organizations include established entities like The Jain Network (charity 1131386), Jain Samaj Europe, and similar registered charities

• Multi-year relationships: The trust appears to support organizations on an ongoing basis rather than one-off grants

• International reach: Organizations working across the trust's geographic areas of interest (UK, India, Belgium, US) may align with the trust's scope

• Poverty relief and education: Projects that combine the trust's charitable objects - advancing education or religion and relieving poverty - appear central to the trust's mission

Trust Activity: Trustees actively participate in relevant conferences and meetings where they identify opportunities for donations supporting poverty relief, religious education, and places of worship.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This trust does not accept unsolicited applications and works exclusively with pre-identified Jain organizations
• Private family trust: Operated by four family members who make grant decisions at their discretion
• Substantial grant-making: With £679,030 in grants made in 2024, this is an active grant-making trust despite its private nature
• Jain focus: The overwhelming focus is on Jain religious and educational organizations; non-Jain organizations should not expect funding
• Geographic reach: While UK-based, the trust supports work in Belgium, India, and the United States
• Long-term partnerships: The trust appears to work with partner organizations on a recurring basis rather than making one-off grants
• Trustee engagement: Trustees attend international conferences and meetings, suggesting they are actively engaged in identifying funding opportunities within their areas of interest

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Mimansa Foundation Trust
• The Jmcmrj Sorrell Foundation
• The 3 Ts Charitable Trust
• Ganco Charitable Foundation
• Ps Foundation
• N And R Karnani Trust
• The Edenbeg Charitable Trust
• Thurmaston Educational Trust
• The Trust For Educational And/or Medical Assistance For Persons Of Indian Origin
• The Unheard Voices Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: THE DR N K SHAH TRUST (327291), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/327291/full-print
• NGO Explorer: The Dr N K SHAH TRUST, https://ngoexplorer.org/charity/327291
• The Jain Network Governance page, https://jainnetwork.com/about-us/governance/