The Puri Foundation

Charity Number: 327854

Annual Expenditure: £2.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £2,366,134 (expenditure for 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not specified (case-by-case basis)
  • Grant Range: Varies from tens of thousands (local schools) to £100,000+ (universities)
  • Geographic Focus: Nottinghamshire (UK) and India (particularly regions near Chandigarh and Ambala)

Contact Details

Address: Environment House, 1 St Mark Street, Nottingham, NG3 1DE

Phone: 0115 901 3000

Fax: 0115 901 3003

Application Method: Written applications to trustees

Overview

The Puri Foundation was established in July 1988 with a £1 million personal donation from founder Professor Nathu Ram Puri (Nat Puri), matched by the Purico Group. Since its launch, the foundation has distributed millions of pounds to support causes in Nottingham and India. The foundation draws income from its commercial property portfolio and land holdings, with Professor Puri continuing to provide the majority of funds. For the financial year ending April 2024, the foundation reported total income of £445,909 and total expenditure of £2,366,134. The Puri family and associated charities collectively donate an average of £500,000 annually to good causes, mainly in the UK, India, Nepal, and Africa. Professor Puri has received numerous honours including the CBE from Prince Charles and the Pravasi Bharatiya award from the President of India for his contributions to charity and education.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Puri Foundation operates through a straightforward written application process with no fixed grant programs or deadlines. The foundation makes grants to both individuals and organisations across several areas:

  • Education: Computers and facility improvements for local schools (tens of thousands of pounds), university scholarships for overseas students, and major institutional donations (e.g., £100,000 to University of Nottingham for cardiac and neonatal research in 2024; £1 million to London South Bank University in 2011 for The Nathu Puri Institute for Engineering and Enterprise)
  • Community Infrastructure: Local facility improvements (e.g., £47,000 for Breck Hill Park entrance and path improvements)
  • International Education: The foundation provides approximately £250,000 annually to the Institute of Advanced Research in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, for research in biology, biotechnology, and genetics

Priority Areas

The charity's three core objectives are:

  • Providing financial assistance to those in extreme need, hardship, or distress
  • Advancing education
  • Providing recreational facilities, especially for young people

Specific beneficiary groups include:

  • Children and young people
  • Elderly/old people
  • People with disabilities
  • People of particular ethnic or racial origin
  • Other charities or voluntary bodies
  • Residents of Nottinghamshire
  • Current or former employees of Melton Medes Group of Companies
  • Persons in or near the continent of India, particularly citizens of towns near Chandigarh and Ambala

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated in available materials, though the foundation focuses on its stated priority areas.

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees:

  • Professor Nathu Ram Puri (appointed 1988): Founder and primary donor. Professor Puri arrived in Nottingham in 1967 and built the Purico Group into one of the UK's largest private family enterprises. He was honoured with the Pride of Gedling Award for his contributions to education, youth initiatives, local infrastructure, and extensive charitable work.
  • Phool Kumari (appointed 2022): Also serves as a trustee for The Three R's Education Trust.

The foundation operates with 5 trustees total and 3 volunteers, with no employees. No trustees receive remuneration for their trustee duties, though one or more trustees may receive payments or benefits from the charity for other services.

Related Charitable Organisations:

  • The Three R's Education Trust (established February 2004): Focuses on providing basic education and healthcare in deprived areas of India and Nepal. Has donated £625,000 to create 1,500 single-teacher schools in remote areas of Nepal, benefiting approximately 45,000 pupils.
  • The Puri Foundation for Education in India: Runs the University and Institute of Advanced Research in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be made in writing to the trustees at:

The Puri Foundation

Environment House

1 St Mark Street

Nottingham, NG3 1DE

There is no online application portal, standardized application form, or fixed deadlines. The foundation operates on a rolling basis.

Decision Timeline

The trustees judge all applications on an individual basis. Specific decision timeframes are not publicly available. Successful applicants receive payment by cheque.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available materials.

Application Success Factors

Key Considerations

Geographic Connection: The foundation has a strong preference for Nottinghamshire-based projects and organizations, as well as initiatives in India, particularly near Chandigarh and Ambala. Local Nottingham projects have historically received significant support.

Education Focus: Education-related projects appear to be the most consistently funded area, from local school improvements to major university research initiatives and international educational institutions.

Track Record with Universities: The foundation has a demonstrated history of supporting higher education, particularly the University of Nottingham and other UK universities, with grants for scholarships, research, and infrastructure.

Community Benefit: Projects that provide tangible community benefits, particularly infrastructure improvements that serve young people or vulnerable populations, align well with the foundation's objectives.

Scale Flexibility: The foundation makes grants across a wide spectrum, from tens of thousands for local schools to six-figure sums for major institutional partnerships, suggesting they assess each application based on merit and impact rather than predetermined grant sizes.

Examples of Funded Projects

  • Computers and facility improvements for local Nottingham schools (tens of thousands of pounds)
  • £100,000 to University of Nottingham for cardiac and neonatal research (2024)
  • £47,000 for Breck Hill Park entrance and path improvements in Woodthorpe
  • Scholarships for overseas students at Nottingham's universities and London South Bank University
  • £1 million to London South Bank University for The Nathu Puri Institute for Engineering and Enterprise (2011)
  • Ongoing annual support of £250,000 to Institute of Advanced Research, Gujarat, for biology, biotechnology, and genetics research

Language and Approach

The foundation's emphasis on individual assessment suggests that applications should clearly articulate:

  • The specific need or hardship being addressed
  • How the project advances education or provides recreational facilities for young people
  • The connection to Nottinghamshire or India
  • Tangible, measurable outcomes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Local Connection Matters: Priority is given to Nottinghamshire-based organizations and initiatives in India, particularly near Chandigarh and Ambala. Clearly establish your geographic connection.
  • Education Projects Are Strongly Favored: From local schools to international research institutions, education-related initiatives receive substantial support across all grant sizes.
  • Prepare for Individual Assessment: There is no standardized scoring system. Applications should be comprehensive, clearly written, and demonstrate specific need, impact, and alignment with the foundation's three core objectives.
  • Think Long-term Partnership: The foundation has demonstrated sustained support for institutions (e.g., annual £250,000 to Gujarat institute), suggesting they value ongoing relationships with effective organizations.
  • Grant Size Flexibility: Don't self-limit based on perceived grant size restrictions. The foundation has funded everything from tens of thousands to six figures based on project merit and scope.
  • Simple Application Process: The written application format allows for narrative explanation rather than rigid form-filling, so use this opportunity to tell a compelling story about need and impact.
  • No Fixed Deadlines: The rolling application process means you can apply when your project is ready, but also means no guaranteed response timeline.

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References