Yafa Foundation

Charity Number: 1197312

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £150,000 - £480,000 (varies year to year)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Fully-funded scholarships to institutional grants (specific amounts not disclosed)
  • Geographic Focus: Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon (also Arab world and worldwide for emergency relief)

Contact Details

  • Website: https://yafafoundation.org/
  • Email: info@yafafoundation.org
  • Phone: 020 7406 1000
  • Address: Carter Lemon Camerons LLP, 3rd Floor, 20 King Street, London EC2V 8EG
  • Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn (@yafafoundation)

Overview

The Yafa Foundation is an endowment granting charitable organization founded by the Hani Al-Qattan family in 2021 and registered in England and Wales (Charity Number 1197312). The foundation's vision is to support a broad range of initiatives, institutions, and individuals that enrich and empower communities in Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon.

The foundation operates as a family trust with three trustees from the Al-Qattan family. Financial records show the charity had income of approximately £150,000 in 2024, with previous years showing higher figures (£238,000 in 2023 and £482,000 in 2022). The foundation makes grants to both individuals and organizations, with particular focus on healthcare, education, cultural heritage preservation, emergency relief, and sporting excellence. The Al-Qattan family has a notable philanthropic legacy, with connections to the broader Palestinian cultural and educational philanthropy sector.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Scholarship Programs (via American University of Beirut Partnership)

  • The Shireen Abu Akleh Scholarship: Fully-funded master's degree in media studies for Palestinian women
  • The Nizar Banat Memorial Scholarship: Fully-funded undergraduate degree in political studies for Palestinian students (covers tuition plus living expenses)
  • The Razan Al-Najjar Awards: Three annual awards for nursing students recognizing academic and humanitarian achievement

2. Healthcare Partnerships

  • Grants to institutions providing healthcare to underprivileged patients
  • Partners include Augusta Victoria Hospital, King Hussein Cancer Center, Chain of Hope

3. Education & Youth Development

  • University tuition support
  • Professional training programs
  • Partnership with Elia Nuqul Foundation supporting young scholars in higher education and employability

4. Cultural Heritage & Advocacy

  • Grants to cultural institutions (Palestinian Museum, Sakakini Cultural Center, Al Balad Theatre)
  • Support for awareness-raising organizations (Palestine Chronicle, Electronic Intifada, IMEU)

5. Emergency & Crisis Relief

  • Humanitarian aid in Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and throughout the Arab world

Priority Areas

  • Healthcare for underprivileged patients
  • Higher education scholarships for Palestinians
  • Cultural heritage preservation (arts, literature, food, agriculture)
  • Advocacy and awareness about Palestinian challenges
  • Sporting excellence for promising athletes
  • Emergency and crisis relief

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions are published. However, based on their mission and activities:

  • The foundation focuses specifically on communities in Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon
  • Projects outside their geographic focus areas are unlikely to receive funding
  • Non-charitable purposes would not be eligible
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (all appointed December 2021)

  • Hani Abdul-Muhsen Al-Qattan - Founder and Trustee
  • Syma Abboushi Al-Qattan - Trustee
  • Leila Hani Al-Qattan - Trustee

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The foundation operates as a family-led philanthropic trust with decision-making concentrated among the three trustees.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Yafa Foundation appears to operate through:

  • Trustee-initiated partnerships with established institutions
  • Strategic relationships with organizations aligned with their mission
  • Direct outreach to potential partner organizations

For scholarship programs, applications are handled through partner institutions (e.g., AUB administers the scholarship application process directly).

For organizations seeking partnership or funding, the foundation invites inquiries via:

  • Email: info@yafafoundation.org
  • Secure contact form on their website

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's partnership patterns:

  • Institutional Track Record: The foundation partners with established institutions such as the American University of Beirut, King Hussein Cancer Center, and major cultural organizations
  • Geographic Alignment: Organizations must serve communities in Palestine, Jordan, or Lebanon
  • Sector Focus: Healthcare, education, cultural heritage, and advocacy organizations are prioritized
  • Direct Contact: The foundation encourages inquiries through their email and website contact form
  • Family Network: As a family foundation, connections to the Al-Qattan family and their philanthropic network may facilitate introductions

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the small trustee group and targeted approach, decisions may be made relatively quickly for organizations that align with existing priorities.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No formal policy is published.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and current partnerships:

  1. Alignment with Palestinian Communities: The foundation has a strong focus on serving Palestinian people and causes. Organizations should demonstrate clear impact on Palestinian communities in the region.
  1. Institutional Credibility: Current partners include well-established institutions like AUB, Augusta Victoria Hospital, and the Palestinian Museum. New applicants should be able to demonstrate similar institutional credibility.
  1. Impact on Underprivileged Populations: The foundation emphasizes serving “underprivileged patients” and providing opportunities for those with “demonstrated financial need.”
  1. Named Memorial Programs: The foundation creates scholarship and award programs honoring Palestinian figures (Shireen Abu Akleh, Nizar Banat, Razan Al-Najjar), suggesting appreciation for projects that commemorate Palestinian history and contributions.
  1. Education & Long-term Change: The foundation believes "in education's power to create long-term meaningful change in communities."
  1. Measurable Outcomes: Partnership descriptions reference specific outcomes (e.g., “3 deserving young scholars” supported with Elia Nuqul Foundation).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process - this is a relationship-driven family foundation; direct contact via email is the appropriate first step
  • Highly focused on Palestinian communities in Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon - alignment with this geographic and demographic focus is essential
  • Works through established partnerships with major institutions like AUB, King Hussein Cancer Center, and the Palestinian Museum
  • Scholarship programs are administered by partner institutions (e.g., AUB), not directly by the foundation
  • Relatively new foundation (established 2021) that may be establishing additional partnerships
  • Small trustee group means decisions are likely made by family consensus
  • Variable annual giving (£150,000-£480,000) suggests endowment or donation-dependent funding rather than guaranteed annual budgets

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