The Mainstay Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £5,560,000 (charitable activities expenditure)
• Total Income: £5,386,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: UK and European organisations (grant recipients); global projects (charitable work)

Contact Details

• Website: www.mainstay.uk
• Grants Portal: tcn.mainstay.uk/grants/
• Phone: 07507899044
• Address: Office 11, 211 Kingsbury Road, London NW9 8AQ
• Charity Number: 1166017

Overview

The Mainstay Foundation, registered in 2015 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (1166017), supports Shia Muslim communities globally in the areas of Religion, Education, and Development. The foundation operates with substantial resources, recording an annual income of £5.4 million and expenditure of £5.6 million on charitable activities. Guided by the Shia Ithna Ashari School of thought, the foundation works with trusted partners to provide developmental aid, education support, and faith-strengthening initiatives. In 2024, the foundation announced a significant partnership with Royal Holloway, University of London, sponsoring six PhD scholarships over two years through the Centre for Islamic and West Asian Studies. The foundation is staffed by 9 employees and supported by 60 volunteers, with 4 trustees who serve without remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Religious Aid Grants

• Muharram Grant: For centres and organisations holding programmes commemorating the tragedy of Ashura during the Holy Month of Muharram
• Ramadhan Grant: For programmes during the Holy Month of Ramadhan to facilitate spiritual and educational community needs
• Funding covers: Speaker time and accommodation, venue costs
• Application method: Rolling deadlines (typically closing several months before the respective holy months)

2. Centre's/Mosque Grant (Infrastructure)

• For mosques, centres and organisations looking to purchase a new place of worship or rebuild existing facilities
• Specifically for the upliftment and development of Shia Muslim Communities
• Application method: Apply through The Community Network portal

3. Summer Programmes Grant

• Available to UK and European based organisations
• For programmes providing creative and spiritually invigorating experiences for youths and their families
• Application method: Seasonal application windows

4. Academic Bursary Programme

• Available to students applying for undergraduate degrees
• Recent partnership with Royal Holloway includes six PhD scholarships over two years

5. General Grant Awards

• Available for religious occasions focused on advancing Islam according to the Shia Ithna Ashari faith
• For projects not covered by specifically advertised grant programmes

Priority Areas

• Religion: Programmes during Ramadhan and Muharram, faith-strengthening initiatives, religious education
• Education: Academic scholarships, educational support programmes, provision of Qurans to students and community members
• Development: Water aid projects, food security, medical aid, vocational training
• Infrastructure: Purchase and renovation of places of worship for Shia Muslim communities
• Geographic regions: UK, Europe, East Africa, India, Iraq, North America

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, eligibility criteria indicate the foundation:

• Only funds projects aligned with Shia Ithna Ashari faith and objectives
• Restricts organisational grants to UK and European based organisations (though their own charitable work extends globally)
• Requires organisations to demonstrate financial stability and appropriate insurance coverage
• Requires at least 3 years of relevant experience

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Governance and Leadership

Structure

• Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England & Wales
• 4 trustees (names not publicly disclosed)
• 9 employees and 60 volunteers
• No trustee remuneration: All trustees serve without payment or benefits
• Religious Supervisory Board: Provides guidance on religious matters
• No trading subsidiaries

Financial Transparency

The charity maintains up-to-date reporting with the Charity Commission, with annual accounts showing:

• Income primarily from donations and legacies (£5.33 million)
• Charitable activities income (£40,990)
• Investment income (£18,006)

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Organisation Verification

• Register your organisation through The Community Network (tcn.mainstay.uk)
• Complete verification checks
• Receive unique Mainstay Foundation verification number (required for grant applications)

Step 2: Grant Application

• Access grant application through The Community Network portal
• Use verification number to submit application
• Complete comprehensive application form with supporting documentation
• Demonstrate organisational eligibility including:
• Financial stability
• Appropriate insurance coverage
• 3+ years of relevant experience
• Disclosure of any subcontractors

Step 3: Post-Award Reporting

• Submit final progress report within 3 months of grant award
• Detail fund usage and project outcomes
• Demonstrate alignment with agreed project goals

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified. Grant programmes operate on different cycles:

• Religious Aid Grants: Seasonal deadlines (typically closing several months before Ramadhan/Muharram)
• Other grants: Rolling basis

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The foundation states it “will consider” applications and “reserves the right to assess applications individually.”

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified.

Application Success Factors

Eligibility Requirements

• Alignment: Projects must align with foundation objectives of advancing Shia Muslim communities in Religion, Education, and Development
• Geographic restriction: UK and European based organisations only (for grant recipients)
• Experience: Minimum 3 years of relevant experience required
• Financial stability: Must demonstrate sound financial management
• Insurance: Appropriate coverage required
• Faith alignment: Projects must align with Shia Ithna Ashari School of thought

Funding Use Restrictions

• Funds must be used strictly for specified project purposes
• Religious Aid Grants specifically for: venue costs, speaker travel, speaker time (if applicable)
• Foundation monitors proper use of grants through progress reports

Application Guidance

The foundation emphasizes:

• Supporting programmes that “rejuvenate, educate and inspire community members”
• Working with partners “that share our vision, striving for a brighter future for all of humanity”
• Facilitating community spiritual and educational needs
• Commemorating important Islamic occasions with dignity and impact

Recent Grant Examples

Between 2017-2018, the foundation provided over $120,000 in grants to qualifying centers for Ramadan and Muharram programming, supporting dozens of applicants. The foundation has also supported significant humanitarian initiatives including Ramadhan food baskets to 120,000 people in India and East Africa, commitments for 17 water wells in East Africa, distribution of over 1,500 Qurans, provision of over 100 Qurbanis, and educational support for 25 students from remote Indian slums.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Faith-specific focus: This foundation exclusively supports Shia Muslim communities following the Ithna Ashari School of thought; applications must clearly demonstrate alignment with this focus
• Geographic limitations: Only UK and European organisations are eligible to apply, though the foundation's own work extends globally
• Pre-registration required: You must register and be verified through The Community Network before applying for grants, so allow time for this process
• Experience matters: Minimum 3 years of relevant experience is required, demonstrating the foundation prefers established organisations
• Detailed reporting expected: Post-award reporting is mandatory within 3 months, showing the foundation actively monitors grant usage
• Substantial resources: With £5.6 million in annual charitable expenditure, this is a significant funder for Shia Muslim community organisations
• Multiple programme types: Consider different grant streams - religious programming, infrastructure, education - and which best fits your project
• Partnership approach: The foundation emphasizes working with organisations that “share our vision,” suggesting relationship building and ongoing engagement may be beneficial

References

• The Mainstay Foundation official website: www.mainstay.uk
• The Community Network grants portal: tcn.mainstay.uk/grants/
• Charity Commission register: The Mainstay Foundation, Charity Number 1166017, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1166017&subid=0
• Royal Holloway, University of London: “Royal Holloway agrees partnership with The Mainstay Foundation UK,” https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/news/royal-holloway-agrees-partnership-with-the-mainstay-foundation-uk/
• Charity Commission financial data for financial year ending 2024 (most recent available)