Rumi Foundation

Could Rumi Foundation be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Applications: By invitation only

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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About Rumi Foundation

The Rumi Foundation, established in 2006 by UK-based philanthropist Lord Rumi Verjee CBE, is a family-led charitable foundation shaped by his immigrant and entrepreneurial background. Its mission is to nurture talent among disadvantaged young people and foster positive social change, rooted in values of compassion, kindness, and personal responsibility. The Foundation prefers strategic partnerships over open grantmaking, offering grants alongside mentoring, expertise, and global networks to build capacity for systemic impact. Distinctively relational and selective, it backs established medium-to-large organisations with strong track records rather than start-ups. The Foundation supports initiatives unlocking youth potential through education, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and global citizenship, while also funding arts and culture, health innovations, and poverty alleviation.

What Rumi Foundation funds

The Foundation supports work that unlocks youth potential, including education, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and global citizenship. It also funds arts and culture, health innovations such as paediatric cancer detection, and poverty alleviation. Priority is given to proven, scalable projects that promote leadership and human capital development. Work is prioritised in the UK, sub-Saharan Africa, India, and beyond, with a focus on initiatives that have a strong track record and potential for systemic impact.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, community groups, academic institutions, or voluntary bodies. The Foundation primarily backs established medium-to-large organisations with strong track records, rather than start-ups. There is no religious restriction on applicants. The Foundation prioritises organisations operating in the UK or priority regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and India, with a focus on initiatives that align with its core themes of youth potential, education, and social change.

What Rumi Foundation doesn't fund

The Foundation avoids unproven initiatives, routine operations, or causes outside its core themes of youth potential, education, entrepreneurship, leadership development, global citizenship, arts and culture, health innovations, and poverty alleviation. It does not support start-ups or organisations without a strong track record.

How they like to fund

The Foundation works by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited applications. It prefers strategic partnerships over open grantmaking, offering grants alongside mentoring, expertise, and global networks to build capacity for systemic impact. Grants are tailored to high-impact strategic partners and can support core costs, projects, or unrestricted needs.

How much does Rumi Foundation give?

Published grant sizes vary. A free fit check matches Rumi Foundation’s current criteria to your charity — so you know if it’s worth applying.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Children & youthEducationPoverty & hardship

How to apply to Rumi Foundation

Rumi Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.

A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.

What you can do here

1
Check fit. See if your project aligns with Rumi Foundation.
2
Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
3
Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.

See if Rumi Foundation could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Rumi Foundation provide?

Grant amounts vary. Contact Rumi Foundation directly for current funding levels.

Where does Rumi Foundation fund charities?

Rumi Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Rumi Foundation accept unsolicited applications?

Rumi Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Rumi Foundation?

Rumi Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.