The Rumi Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £923,740 (2023-24)
• Total Income: £8.64m (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not applicable - invitation/network only
• Decision Time: Not specified - proactive identification
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: UK-focused with international reach (Uganda, India, East and South Africa)

Contact Details

Website: www.rumifoundation.com

Email: info@rumifoundation.com

Phone: 0345 222 9222

Registered Address: BDB Pitmans, One Bartholomew Close, London EC1A 7BL

Note: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Projects are identified through internal research or network introductions.

Overview

The Rumi Foundation was established in 2006 as the philanthropic vehicle for the Verjee family, founded by Lord Rumi Verjee CBE (founder of Domino's Pizza UK and member of the House of Lords). With total income of £8.64m in 2023-24, the Foundation distributed £923,740 in grants. The Foundation's mission is to “see potential realised” by identifying and nurturing talent, particularly among disadvantaged young people. As of 2017, Lord Verjee had given away an estimated £33.9 million (20.54% of his wealth), demonstrating long-term philanthropic commitment. The Foundation operates with a strategic, partnership-based approach, providing not just funding but also access to networks, mentoring, and strategic guidance.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation does not operate open grant programmes. Instead, it proactively identifies and approaches organizations and individuals that align with its mission through:

• Internal research capabilities
• Network introductions and endorsements
• Direct relationships with trusted partners

Funding Types:

• Core funding for organizational development
• Specific project funding
• Multi-year endowments
• Strategic partnerships combining funding with mentorship and networks

Priority Areas

Primary Focus: Education, innovation, and entrepreneurship

Specific Areas:

• Education: Supporting access to education for children and young people, particularly disadvantaged youth, in the UK and overseas
• Youth Leadership Development: Identifying and nurturing individuals with potential to become future leaders
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Supporting entrepreneurial initiatives and innovation programmes
• Arts Promotion: Supporting arts education and cultural initiatives
• Conservation: Environmental and heritage conservation projects
• Poverty Relief: Alleviating poverty through educational and social programmes

Geographic Priorities:

• Principally UK-focused
• International work in Uganda, India, East and South Africa

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation's policy document does not provide specific exclusions, but based on their approach:

• Unsolicited applications from organizations outside their network
• Projects that do not demonstrate proven capacity to deliver impact
• Initiatives without clear focus on talent identification and nurturing
• Organizations lacking infrastructure to deliver programmes at scale

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Governance and Leadership

Founder: Lord Rumi Verjee CBE

• Founder of Domino's Pizza UK
• Member of House of Lords since 2013
• Fourth-generation Indian born in Uganda
• Key philosophy: “With success comes the personal responsibility to always act with generosity and compassion”

Trustees:

David Muriithi

• Managing Director of Creative Enterprise Centre, Nairobi
• B.A. Economics from University of Manchester
• Former Ernst & Young professional
• Manages family real estate business in East and South Africa

Brent Pollard

• Background in Corporate Finance
• Entrepreneur with over 100 board appointments
• Previously owned and transformed Whitbread Hop Farm

Stuart Malcolmson

• Financial accounting and business consulting specialist
• Established own consultancy in 2005
• Works closely with Lord Verjee on business and philanthropic ventures
• Quote: Believes in “the power of philanthropy to improve individual lives”

Advisors:

Jay Verjee

• Double First in Law from Cambridge University
• MBA from Harvard Business School
• Founder of Addition Capital

Nadira Lalji

• Harvard Government graduate
• MBA from Harvard Business School
• Sits on Building Tomorrow's board

Rehana Laljee

• Works at Goldman Sachs
• First in Accounting & Finance from Bath University
• Chartered accountant

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The Rumi Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

The Foundation's stated policy: “In almost all cases, The Rumi Foundation identifies appropriate projects to partner or fund through its own research capabilities, or by way of introduction or endorsement from within its network of relationships.”

Potential Routes to Consideration:

• Introduction or endorsement from within the Foundation's network
• Being identified through the Foundation's own research
• Having an existing relationship with the Foundation's trustees or advisors
• Being recommended by a current partner organization

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The Foundation conducts “appropriate risk assessment and due diligence” before making funding commitments.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis rather than accepting applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the Foundation's proactive approach to identifying partners.

Application Success Factors

While the Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, understanding their priorities can help organizations position themselves for potential introduction through networks:

What They Look For:

1. Proven Capacity: Organizations must demonstrate proven capacity to identify and nurture talent
2. Scalability: Projects should have the infrastructure necessary to deliver programmes capable of effecting genuine change and benefiting large sections of communities
3. Best-in-Class Opportunities: Foundation seeks programmes representing best-in-class opportunities for young people
4. Focus on Youth: Particularly interested in programmes serving disadvantaged young people
5. Mentorship and Development: Strong preference for initiatives that include mentoring, network access, and personal development

Foundation's Value-Add Beyond Funding:

• Access to networks and connections
• Mentoring and strategic guidance
• Business development support
• Long-term partnership rather than transactional funding

Example Projects Funded:

• Downing College Cambridge: Endowed Chair in perpetuity for research into early detection of cancer in children
• Royal College of Art: Five-year programme of Innovation Night Lectures featuring speakers like will.i.am, Christopher Bailey, and Chad Hurley
• Clinton Foundation/Building Tomorrow: Partnership to build schools in rural Uganda providing access to primary education
• WE Day UK: Annual youth empowerment event (Lord Verjee serves as Chairman of WE UK)
• Mosaic: Prince Charles-backed charity pairing young people from deprived communities with high-flying mentors
• Obama Foundation: Supporting search for thoughtful future leaders globally
• African Prisons Project: Working to alleviate prisoner conditions across Africa
• Ditch the Label: Major anti-bullying charity

Language and Terminology:

The Foundation emphasizes:

• “Nurturing inspiring initiatives”
• “See potential realised”
• “Identify and nurture talent”
• “Future leaders”
• “Genuine change”
• “Best-in-class opportunities”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Network-Driven: This Foundation cannot be approached through standard grant applications. Building relationships with their trustees, advisors, or current partner organizations is essential for consideration.

1. Long-Term Partnerships: The Foundation favors sustained, strategic partnerships over one-off grants, combining funding with mentorship, networks, and strategic guidance.

1. Proven Track Record Essential: Organizations must demonstrate proven capacity to deliver impact at scale. Start-ups or untested initiatives are unlikely to be considered.

1. Youth Focus: The strongest alignment exists for programmes serving disadvantaged young people with leadership potential in the UK and internationally.

1. Beyond Funding: The Foundation offers more than money - access to Lord Verjee's networks, business expertise, and strategic guidance are valuable components of partnerships.

1. Geographic Fit: While UK-focused, the Foundation has demonstrated sustained commitment to projects in Uganda, India, and East/South Africa.

1. Scale and Infrastructure: Organizations need infrastructure to deliver programmes capable of large-scale impact. The Foundation seeks partners who can benefit significant sections of communities.

References

1. The Rumi Foundation Official Website - Grant Policy. https://rumifoundation.com/impact/foundation-grant-policy/

1. The Rumi Foundation - Founder & Trustees. https://rumifoundation.com/founder-trustees/

1. The Rumi Foundation - Making Change Happen. https://rumifoundation.com/making-change-happen/

1. UK Charity Commission - The Rumi Foundation (Charity No. 1115154) Financial History. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4024596/financial-history

1. UK Charity Commission - The Rumi Foundation Overview. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1115154&subid=0

1. Wikipedia - Rumi Verjee. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumi_Verjee

1. The Rumi Foundation - Clinton Foundation Partnership. https://rumifoundation.com/journal/clinton-foundation-2/

1. The Rumi Foundation - Building Tomorrow. https://rumifoundation.com/journal/building-tomorrow/

1. The Rumi Foundation - Royal College of Art Innovation Night. https://rumifoundation.com/journal/royal-college-of-art-innovation-night/

1. Downing College Cambridge - Verjee Fellowship in Medicine. https://www.dow.cam.ac.uk/about/our-benefactors/verjee-fellowship-medicine