The Saïd Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £4.9 million (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £19.4 million (2024)
• Grant Range: Varies by program - scholarships for individuals, institutional partnerships for humanitarian work
• Geographic Focus: UK (Amal program, Business School), Middle East (Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine)
• Application: No public application process for organizational grants; scholarship applications open annually for individuals

Contact Details

Website: https://saidfoundation.org

Email:

• Scholarship applications: applications@saidfoundation.org
• General enquiries: admin@saidfoundation.org

Address: The Saïd Foundation, 5th Floor, 10 John Street, London WC1N 2EB

Overview

The Saïd Foundation was established in 1982 by international businessman and philanthropist Wafic Saïd and his wife Rosemary, initially as the Karim Rida Saïd Foundation in memory of their son. The Foundation became a company limited by guarantee in 2008 and adopted its current name. With total income of £4.9 million and expenditure of £19.4 million in 2024, the Foundation operates five major programs: the Saïd Business School Programme (supporting Oxford's business school), Humanitarian Programme (partnering with international organizations), Scholarships Programme (700+ postgraduate scholarships for students from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine at UK universities), Amal (which became independent in 2020, funding Muslim arts and culture in the UK), and the Toucan Project. The Foundation's mission is to bring positive and lasting change to the lives of children, young people and the wider community, with particular focus on education as a transformative force.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Scholarships Programme (Individuals)

• Up to 20 postgraduate scholarships annually: Full funding for one-year master's degrees at UK partner universities
• 650+ undergraduate scholarships for Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan
• 500+ MBA and DPhil scholarships at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
• Application method: Online applications open August 1st annually, deadline October 31st

Humanitarian Programme (Organizations)

• Institutional partnerships with select humanitarian organizations
• Focus on Syrian humanitarian crisis and children in the Levant region
• No public application process - Foundation selects partners based on leadership, expertise, and impact

Amal Programme (Arts Organizations)

• Note: Amal became an independent charity in August 2020 (Charity Number: 1190887)
• Previously funded 39 projects in 2017 and 28 projects 2018-2020
• Supported Muslim arts and culture projects across UK (London, Birmingham, Bradford)
• For current Amal grants, contact the independent charity at amal.org.uk

Saïd Business School Programme

• Strategic Development Fund provides grants for research, faculty development, and institution-building
• Over 50 projects funded to date (approximately £7 million total)
• Supports initiatives with strategic value to Saïd Business School development

Priority Areas

Geographic Priorities:

• Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan (humanitarian and scholarships)
• United Kingdom (arts, culture, education, entrepreneurship)

Thematic Priorities:

• Education and scholarship for exceptional individuals with leadership potential
• Humanitarian relief and development for Syrian people
• Higher education access for disadvantaged children in the Levant
• Muslim arts and culture in the UK (now through independent Amal charity)
• Cultural heritage preservation in Syria, Jordan, and Palestine

Target Beneficiaries:

• Children and young people in the Middle East
• Syrian refugees and host communities in Jordan and Lebanon
• Students from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine
• Muslim communities in the UK (arts and culture)

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation operates through selected partnerships rather than open grant applications. The trustees' resources are heavily committed to existing partners and projects. The Foundation primarily supports:

• Work aligned with their five program areas
• Organizations with proven leadership, expertise, and impact
• Initiatives in their priority countries

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

• Mr Wafic R Saïd - Chairman and Founder
• Mrs Rosemary Saïd - Co-Founder
• Dr Rasha Saïd - Deputy Chair
• Mr Khaled Saïd
• Reverend Jonathan Aitken
• Mrs Sirine Idilby
• Sir Michael Peat GCVO
• Lord Powell of Bayswater KCMG
• Mrs Nadine Zakaria

Senior Staff:

• Hani Jesri - Chief Executive Officer
• Rebekah Palmer - Scholarships Programme Manager
• Yolanda Geach - Financial Controller
• Katie Monks - Finance and Programme Administrator

The board combines family members with independent trustees from diverse backgrounds, ensuring both continuity of the founders' vision and external expertise.

How to Apply to The Saïd Foundation

How to Apply

For Individual Scholarships:

• Applications open: August 1st annually
• Deadline: October 31st (5:00pm UK time)
• Application method: Online at www.saidfoundation.org/apply
• Required documents: Educational transcripts/certificates, CV, three references
• Eligibility: Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese, or Palestinian nationals permanently residing in those countries
• Selection criteria: Academic excellence, subject relevance to home country development, leadership potential, career intentions, practical application of knowledge upon return

For Organizational Grants:

This funder does not have a public application process for organizational grants. The Foundation works through selected partnerships with international organizations for its humanitarian program. According to their communications: “The Foundation welcomes new proposal applications, however their resources are heavily committed to existing partners and projects.” Organizations interested in partnership are advised to contact the Foundation directly to discuss current funding priorities before submitting proposals.

Current Humanitarian Partners

The Foundation has established partnerships with:

• International Rescue Committee (IRC)
• Save the Children
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) - largest private donor to the DAFI programme, supporting 400+ Syrian refugees
• Turquoise Mountain (cultural heritage preservation)
• Center for Entrepreneurs
• SOS Children's Villages
• St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital
• Medical Aid for Palestinians

Decision Timeline

For Scholarships:

• Applications close: October 31st
• First-stage interviews: Conducted for shortlisted candidates
• Final decisions: Typically announced in spring for autumn academic year entry
• Award includes: 100% tuition fees, full maintenance costs, arrival allowance, visa and healthcare surcharge fees, one economy return flight

For Organizational Grants:

Timeline not publicly specified as grants are made through trustee-initiated partnerships rather than competitive application cycles.

Application Success Factors

For Individual Scholarship Applicants:

Based on the Foundation's stated selection criteria, successful scholarship candidates demonstrate:

1. Academic Excellence: Outstanding academic record with clear evidence of high achievement
2. Subject Relevance: Clear articulation of how the chosen master's course will contribute to development in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, or Palestine
3. Leadership Potential: Evidence of leadership capabilities and potential to become “drivers of positive change”
4. Career Intentions: Well-developed plans for using the UK education upon return to the Middle East
5. Practical Application: Concrete vision for applying knowledge and skills to benefit home country
6. Regional Impact: Focus on candidates who will make meaningful contributions to the Levant region's development

The Foundation notes that “applications are carefully considered by officers and trustees of the Foundation and external assessors,” indicating a rigorous multi-stage review process.

For Organizations Seeking Partnership:

While there is no public application process, the Foundation's approach to selecting partners provides insight:

1. Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Organizations must align with one of the Foundation's five program areas, particularly humanitarian work in Syria/Levant or education initiatives
2. Proven Track Record: The Foundation selects partners “for the strength of their leadership, expertise and for the impact they achieve with beneficiaries”
3. Geographic Focus: Priority given to organizations working in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, or with UK Muslim communities
4. Relationship-Based: The Foundation emphasizes working with “a small number of international organisations to deliver its intended mandate”
5. Shared Strategic Goals: Partners are chosen for alignment with the Foundation's mission and strategic objectives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application for organizational grants: The Saïd Foundation operates through trustee-selected partnerships rather than competitive grant rounds. Organizations should contact the Foundation directly to discuss potential partnership before submitting any proposals.

• Individual scholarships have clear process: If seeking funding for individual students from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, or Palestine, the scholarship program has a well-defined annual application cycle with August-October timeline.

• Strong Middle East focus: The Foundation's primary geographic priority is the Levant region (Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine) with emphasis on Syrian humanitarian crisis and refugee support.

• Education as core mission: Whether through scholarships, humanitarian work, or institutional support, education and youth development are central to the Foundation's approach.

• Long-term partnerships valued: The Foundation works with established international organizations (IRC, Save the Children, UNHCR) suggesting preference for proven, substantial partners rather than smaller or emerging organizations.

• Amal is now independent: Organizations seeking arts and culture funding for UK Muslim communities should contact the independent Amal charity (1190887) at amal.org.uk rather than the Saïd Foundation.

• Family foundation with strategic approach: Founded by Wafic and Rosemary Saïd with significant family involvement in governance, the Foundation takes a strategic, relationship-based approach to grant-making rather than open calls.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Amjad And Suha Bseisu Foundation
• The Altenburg Foundation
• The Hilden Charitable Fund
• The Goyal Foundation
• The Mosawi Foundation
• The Alchemy Foundation
• The Aziz Foundation
• The Stewarts Law Foundation
• The Greenslade Family Foundation
• S P Lohia Foundation

References

• The Charity Commission for England and Wales. “THE SAID FOUNDATION - 1125521.” Register of Charities.. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1125521&subid=0

• Saïd Foundation. Official Website.. https://saidfoundation.org/

• Saïd Foundation. “About - Trustees and Staff.”. https://saidfoundation.org/about-trustees-and-staff/

• Saïd Foundation. “Partners.”. https://saidfoundation.org/partners/

• Saïd Foundation. “Our Scholarships and Alumni.”. https://saidfoundation.org/our-scholarships-and-alumni/

• Saïd Foundation. “Further work - Amal.”. https://saidfoundation.org/further-work-amal/

• Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. “Saïd Business School Foundation Scholarships.”. https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/oxford-experience/scholarships-and-funding/said-business-school-foundation-scholarships

• Making Music. “Said Foundation – Amal Grants Programme.”. https://www.makingmusic.org.uk/funding-opportunity/said-foundation-%E2%80%93-amal-grants-programme

• UNHCR US. “Saïd Foundation.” Partners.. https://www.unhcr.org/us/about-unhcr/our-partners/private-sector/said-foundation