Mirza Sharif Ahmad Foundation

The Mirza Sharif Ahmad Foundation (MSAF), established on 27 January 2006 in London as a charity and company limited by guarantee by members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, advances the global propagation of Islam through humanitarian and educational initiatives aligned with Ahmadiyya principles of peace, service, and need alleviation. Named after Mirza Sharif Ahmad, it emphasizes stewardship of faith-based assets, sustainable infrastructure investment, and long-term welfare support, governed by a board of Ahmadiyya professionals who meet regularly to oversee strategy and grantmaking.

MSAF funds mosque and community centre construction/maintenance, hospitals and schools, scientific research, higher education scholarships (primarily for Ahmadiyya students in the UK and internationally), emergency disaster relief, and poverty alleviation projects. Beneficiaries center on the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and needy individuals/groups, with a practical focus on England and Wales but openness to global Ahmadiyya-linked efforts.

Eligibility prioritizes Ahmadiyya-aligned organizations or direct partners, with no specified legal entity, income, or geographic base restrictions, though recipients are typically medium-to-large faith-based entities. It does not accept unsolicited applications; all grants are awarded at trustee discretion via internal processes, with no deadlines, rolling cycles, or public guidelines—decisions occur ad hoc during board meetings. Typical grants are substantial: £100,000+ for capital projects, several thousand to tens of thousands for scholarships/relief.

Distinctively, MSAF operates as an endowed faith-based trust reliant on donations from Ahmadiyya institutions like AMJ International, owning significant UK real estate (e.g., Ahmadiyya headquarters) without public fundraising. It excludes secular third-party projects, small/micro-grants, unrestricted funding, or mainstream open rounds, focusing exclusively on Ahmadiyya advancement and welfare.