Zarina Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £254,660 (year ending May 2024)
• Annual Income: £263,175 (year ending May 2024)
• Grant Range: Variable (supports individuals and organisations)
• Geographic Focus: England (UK), India, Kenya, Pakistan, Uganda
• Charity Number: 1190067
• Application Method: No public application process - trustee discretion

Contact Details

• Website: www.zarinafoundation.org.uk
• Email: info@zarinafoundation.org.uk (also info@zarinafoundation.com)
• Phone: 07956 320 976

Overview

Zarina Foundation is a UK-registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) established in 2019 and named after the founder's mother, Zarina Awan, who passed away in July 2017. The foundation was established by Saleem Awan (also known as Rajay Awan), continuing a family tradition of charitable work that began with his grandfather, Sufi Noor Mohammed Awan, in Uganda.

The foundation's primary purpose is the prevention or relief of poverty, both in the UK and overseas. It operates on a distinctive 100% Donation Policy, ensuring that “the full donation amount, be it £1 must reach the recipient, as intended without taking any administration costs.” This commitment to zero administrative overhead is central to their operational philosophy.

Grant-making is stated as the foundation's main method of carrying out its charitable purposes. The charity supports individuals in need and other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty. With an annual income of approximately £263,000 and expenditure of £254,660 in the year ending May 2024, it is a small but active grant-maker operating primarily through established partnerships rather than open application processes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes grants to both individuals and organisations, with a focus on the following program areas:

• Food & Nutrition Programs: Monthly Sadaqah food pack distributions to underprivileged communities and orphanages; weekly Friday food distribution; Muharram feeding programs
• Water & Sanitation: Water Hand Pump installations (£95 per pump); Water Tube Well projects providing clean water access
• Healthcare: Zarina Medical Centre in Kinani providing free monthly medical camps; Zarina Dental Clinic (launched August 2024) offering discounted/free dental services
• Housing: Low Cost Housing (LCH) program for vulnerable families
• Education: Support for schools including equipment donations (e.g., Smart TVs); Madrassah support programs
• Religious Infrastructure: Mosque construction and renovation; prison mosque facilities

Priority Areas

• Prevention and relief of poverty
• Support for children and young people
• Support for elderly people
• Support for other charities and voluntary bodies working on poverty relief
• Projects in underserved communities in Kenya (primarily Mombasa/Kinani), India, Pakistan, and Uganda

What They Don't Fund

Based on their stated purposes, the foundation focuses exclusively on poverty relief. Projects outside this scope are unlikely to receive support. As a relatively small charity with specific geographic and programmatic focus, they are unlikely to fund:

• Projects unrelated to poverty relief
• Activities outside their geographic areas of operation
• Organisations without established relationships or local connections

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

| Name | Position | Appointed |

|------|----------|-----------|

| Saleem Awan | Chair | 25 June 2020 |

| Alisha Awan | Trustee | 25 June 2020 |

Key Personnel

• Saleem Awan (Rajay Awan): Founder and Chair - established the foundation following his family's long tradition of charitable work. His grandfather, Sufi Noor Mohammed Awan, and father, Sufi Bashir Awan, both dedicated their lives to charity work.
• Sister Monica: Volunteer supporting operations
• Madam Charity Masai: Qualified dentist running the Zarina Dental Clinic

Governance Structure

• Structured as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
• Governed by CIO Foundation Model Constitution dated 3rd November 2019
• Trustees appointed by current trustee panel every 3 years or sooner if required
• No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
• 1 volunteer supports the organisation
• No trading subsidiaries

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are made at the trustees' discretion, typically through established relationships with partner charities and organisations working in their geographic areas of focus.

The foundation's operational model relies on “relationships with partner charities and a great team of people who are honest and reliable, and committed to the cause without any interest in their own financial gain.” This suggests grants flow through trusted networks rather than open competition.

Getting on Their Radar

Note: Limited specific intelligence is available about their relationship-building preferences, but based on their operational model:

• The foundation operates primarily through established partnerships in Kenya (Mombasa/Kinani region), India, Pakistan, and Uganda
• Their focus on 100% donation policy means they work with trusted local partners who can deliver services directly
• Contact via email (info@zarinafoundation.org.uk) or phone (07956 320 976) may be appropriate for organisations working in their geographic areas on poverty relief
• Follow their social media presence on Facebook and Instagram (@zarinafoundation) to understand their current activities

Decision Timeline

Not publicly documented due to lack of formal application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the absence of a public application process, success in receiving support from Zarina Foundation likely depends on:

1. Geographic alignment: Operating in their target areas (Kenya/Mombasa, India, Pakistan, Uganda, or England)
2. Mission alignment: Clear focus on poverty relief matching their stated purposes
3. Operational efficiency: Demonstrating ability to deliver aid directly to beneficiaries with minimal overhead - aligning with their 100% donation philosophy
4. Trust and reliability: The foundation emphasises working with people who are “honest and reliable, and committed to the cause”
5. Established relationships: Building connections through their networks in target regions
6. Direct impact: Projects with tangible, measurable outcomes (housing built, water pumps installed, meals distributed)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - This foundation operates through trustee discretion and established partnerships rather than open applications
• 100% donation policy is central to their identity - they look for partners who share this commitment to maximising beneficiary impact
• Strong geographic focus on Kenya (particularly Mombasa/Kinani), India, Pakistan, Uganda, and England
• Family-led organisation with deep personal connection to the mission - the charity is named after the founder's late mother
• Small but active - with approximately £254,000 in annual expenditure, grants are likely modest in individual size but consistent
• Relationship-based funding model - success requires building trust and demonstrating alignment with their values and working methods
• Direct contact may be worth pursuing for organisations with strong poverty-relief credentials in their target geographies

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities - Zarina Foundation (1190067) Overview: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5161884/charity-overview
• Charity Commission Register of Charities - What, Who, How, Where: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5161884/what-who-how-where
• Charity Commission Register of Charities - Trustees: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5161884/trustees
• Zarina Foundation Official Website: https://zarinafoundation.org.uk/
• Zarina Foundation About Page: https://zarinafoundation.org.uk/about/

Information