Yafa Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £237,613 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly 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 (@YafaFoundation), Instagram (@yafa_foundation), LinkedIn

Overview

The Yafa Foundation is an endowment granting charitable organisation 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 £237,613 in 2023. The foundation makes grants to both individuals and organisations, 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 Programmes

1. Scholarship Programmes (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 recognising academic and humanitarian achievement

2. Healthcare Partnerships

• Grants to institutions providing healthcare to underprivileged patients
• Support for programmes such as the Mariam Joy Programme (via Mariam Foundation partnership), providing daily companions for children with cancer in hospitals with university tuition support and professional training

3. Education & Youth Development

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

4. Cultural Heritage & Advocacy

• Support for cultural institutions such as the Palestinian Museum (three-year commitment to support the Interactive Encyclopaedia of the Palestinian Question, palquest.org)

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)
• Awareness-raising 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 amongst the three trustees.

How to Apply to Yafa Foundation

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 organisations aligned with their mission
• Direct outreach to potential partner organisations

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

For organisations 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, the Palestinian Museum, and the Mariam Foundation
• Geographic Alignment: Organisations must serve communities in Palestine, Jordan, or Lebanon
• Sector Focus: Healthcare, education, cultural heritage, and advocacy organisations are prioritised
• 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 organisations 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. Organisations should demonstrate clear impact on Palestinian communities in the region.

1. Institutional Credibility: Current partners include well-established institutions like AUB, the Palestinian Museum, and the Mariam Foundation. New applicants should be able to demonstrate similar institutional credibility.

1. Impact on Underprivileged Populations: The foundation emphasises serving “underprivileged patients” and providing opportunities for those with “demonstrated financial need.”

1. Named Memorial Programmes: The foundation creates scholarship and award programmes honouring 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, the Palestinian Museum, and the Mariam Foundation
• Scholarship programmes 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
• Limited public financial data with only 2023 income verified at £237,613

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Hoping Foundation
• The Asfari Foundation
• Al Madad Foundation
• The Lieutenancy Of England And Wales Of The Equestrian Order Of The Holy Sepulchre Of Jerusalem
• Alfanar
• The British Shalom-salaam Trust
• Zouq Foundation
• The World Federation Of Khoja Shia Ithna-asheri Muslim Communities
• The Horizon Foundation
• Muslim Hands

References

• UK Charity Commission Register of Charities - YAFA FOUNDATION (1197312): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/
• Yafa Foundation Official Website - About Us: https://yafafoundation.org/about-us-2/
• Yafa Foundation Official Website - Partners & Beneficiaries: https://yafafoundation.org/grant-portfolio/
• Yafa Foundation - American University of Beirut Partnership: https://yafafoundation.org/pf/aub/
• Yafa Foundation - The Palestinian Museum Partnership: https://yafafoundation.org/pf/the-palestinian-museum/
• Yafa Foundation Contact Page: https://yafafoundation.org/contact-us-03/
• Circle MENA - Yafa Foundation Profile: https://www.circlemena.org/circle-index/organisations/Yafa-Foundation-6b006
• Giving is Great - YAFA FOUNDATION Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1197312
• Accessed: January 2025