Z V M Rangoonwala Foundation

Charity Number: 271513

Annual Expenditure: £1.9M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,912,361 (charitable activities, year ending June 2024)
  • Total Income: £2,885,000 (year ending June 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Under £5,000 (rolling), £5,000+ (by invitation)
  • Geographic Focus: UK and international (India, Pakistan)

Contact Details

Address: 86-87 Wimpole Street, London W1G 9RL

Phone: 020 7935 2838

Email: info@rangoonwalafoundation.org

Website: https://rangoonwalafoundation.org

Overview

The Z V M Rangoonwala Foundation is a UK-registered family charity (charity number 271513) established in 1976, building on the legacy of the ZVMG Rangoonwala Trust founded in Pakistan in 1967 by Mohamed Aly Rangoonwala. With over 40 years of experience, the foundation has total income of £2.89 million and charitable expenditure of £1.91 million (year ending June 2024). The foundation operates as both a grant-making organisation and implementer of its own programmes, serving communities primarily in the UK, Pakistan, and India. The foundation's mission is to provide financial support for exclusively charitable purposes including relief of hardship, relief of the elderly, advancement of education and the arts, and other charitable purposes for community benefit. Led by Chairman Asif Rangoonwala CBE, who was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2024 for exceptional services to charity and philanthropy, the foundation is known for supporting innovative pilot projects and taking a long-term, partnership-based approach to funding.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation offers two main types of grants:

  • Partnership Fund: By invitation only for organisations seeking 2-5 year partnerships towards measurable outcomes. Requires proven track record and evidence of impact. The majority of funding should be for programmatic costs, with support costs considered where proposals are strong and organisational budgets demonstrate stability and growth.
  • Small Grants Fund (under £5,000): Open to UK-based organisations with annual income under £1 million on a rolling basis throughout the year. Ideal for refurbishment costs, small-scale programmes, equipment purchases and other capital expenditure.

For grants over £5,000, applications are by invitation only and reviewed quarterly.

Priority Areas

  • Education: Livelihoods, skills building, educator training, vocational training
  • Healthcare: Including disability services, therapy equipment, medical centres
  • Community Empowerment: Community development activities focusing on beneficiaries and surrounding communities
  • Environmental and Economic Development: Long-term sustainability and self-reliance initiatives
  • Arts and Culture: Advancement of the arts, particularly South Asian art

What They Don't Fund

The foundation favours grants that address community needs not capable of being met by other sources or services. While specific exclusions are not listed, the focus is clearly on community-based projects with measurable social impact.

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Governance and Leadership

Chairman: Asif Rangoonwala CBE - Awarded CBE in 2024 by King Charles III for exceptional services to charity and philanthropy. Successful business entrepreneur with interests in food, property and sport sectors. Quote: “I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this recognition. It is a testament on working to create a more equitable and compassionate world.”

Global Programme Manager: Meheen Rangoonwala - Director since 2009, granddaughter of founder Mohamed Aly Rangoonwala. Based in London, oversees programmes across all three countries.

Trustee: Khalid Rangoonwala - Responsible for asset management, reporting, financial, legal and tax affairs, works closely with Chairman on new initiatives.

Founding Trustee: Banu Rangoonwala - Wife of late Mohamed Aly Rangoonwala, founding trustee of ZVMG Rangoonwala Trust.

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.

How to Apply to Z V M Rangoonwala Foundation

How to Apply

Applications for small grants under £5,000 are welcome from UK-based registered charities, non-governmental organisations, and community groups with annual income under £1 million. These applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

For grants over £5,000 and Partnership Fund opportunities, applications are by invitation only and reviewed quarterly.

Application forms and detailed procedures should be obtained through the foundation's website at rangoonwalafoundation.org or by contacting them directly at info@rangoonwalafoundation.org.

Decision Timeline

Small grants (under £5,000) are reviewed on a rolling basis. Larger grants and Partnership Fund applications are reviewed quarterly. Interested applicants should contact the foundation directly for specific timeline information.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publish statistics on application numbers, awards made, or success rates.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

Quotes from Leadership:

  • Meheen Rangoonwala: “We love pilot projects and proving concepts and innovation”
  • Meheen Rangoonwala: “I think that the key is getting the right people in to run projects”

Funded Projects Examples:

  • Oxford University Rangoonwala Visiting Fellowships: Endowment enabling up to three senior academics/professionals from Pakistan to visit annually
  • MAITS (founded 2009): Foundation's main funded international disability charity, trained over 7,000 individuals benefiting 1+ million children with disabilities across 23 countries
  • Newham Hospital: Therapy gym equipment benefiting 1,200+ patients
  • Art South Asia Project (ASAP): Supported by the foundation to promote South Asian art

What They Value:

  • Innovation and pilot projects that prove new concepts
  • Strong leadership and “the right people” running projects
  • Measurable outcomes and proven track records (for Partnership Fund)
  • Programmes focused on beneficiaries and surrounding communities
  • Approaches including skills building, M&E, research contributing to scale-up or replication, educator training
  • Organisational budgets demonstrating stability and growth
  • Long-term sustainability and self-reliance

Selection Process: "It's usually quite organic" - often grows from existing relationships and pilot projects, looking for potential to scale and expand impact.

Emerging Priorities: The foundation is exploring impact investing and trust-based philanthropy, with a shift towards more flexible funding approaches.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Emphasise innovation: The foundation explicitly loves pilot projects and proving new concepts - highlight how your project tests new approaches or demonstrates innovative solutions
  • Demonstrate strong leadership: Success hinges on “getting the right people in to run projects” - showcase your team's expertise, track record and capability
  • Show potential for scale: The foundation looks for projects with potential to expand and replicate - articulate your pathway to broader impact
  • Build relationships first: Their selection process is “usually quite organic” and grows from existing relationships - consider engaging with the foundation before formal application. Note that Partnership Fund and grants over £5,000 are by invitation only
  • Focus on measurable outcomes: Particularly for Partnership Fund applications, demonstrate clear metrics and evidence of impact from previous work
  • Align with geographic priorities: Strong preference for UK, India, and Pakistan projects with clear community benefit
  • Small grants available: If you're a UK-based organisation with income under £1 million seeking under £5,000, you can apply on a rolling basis throughout the year
  • Be patient for larger grants: Grants over £5,000 are by invitation only and reviewed quarterly

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References

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