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Purpose of the Grants

The Mainstay Foundation is a charitable organisation that seeks to be the flagship organisation in community development. Specifically, our organisation’s mission is to assist in the advancement of Shia Ithna Ashari (Twelver) Muslim communities globally in the areas of Religion, Education and development.

A critical way in which we do this is through the provision of grants to organisations who share our goals and objectives, details of which can be found in our about us page.

  • 300+ Organisations and Centres Supported

LIVE Grants

Academic Bursary

The Mainstay Foundation believes in the importance of pursuing an education to secure are stable future. By financially contributing towards the education of students, we hope to support the Shia Muslim community and enhance research programmes and other academic facilities.  Through the academic bursary programme, an academic grant award will be accessible to students looking to apply for an undergraduate degree. Provision of this grant award meets our criteria of supporting initiatives to enhance research programs and other academic facilities.

Religious Aid & Centre’s Grants

Religious Aid Grant: The Religious Aid Grants is designed for centres and organisations looking to hold programmes and events during the Holy Months of Ramadhan and Muharram to see to the peoples spiritual, and educational needs. The funding provided should go towards the speaker’s time and accommodation and the venue costs.

Centre’s Grant: The Mainstay Foundation provide grants to mosques, centres and organisations looking to purchase a new place of worship or rebuild an existing mosque or centre for the upliftment and development of the Shia Muslim Communities. Applicants must meet our key criteria’s and provide the required documents.

Previous Grants

Shahr Ramadhan 2023/1444 Grant Award – Deadline: 17/03/2023 – Now Closed

The Mainstay Foundation was pleased to announce the Shahr Ramadhan Grant Award 2023. This grant was awarded to centres and organisations holding a Shahr Ramadhan programme, aiming to facilitate the community’s spiritual and educational needs. Recipients were expected to strictly use the funding in question to cover the costs of the venue, the speakers’ travels, and the speakers’ time (if applicable).

Muharram 2022/1444 Grant Award – Deadline: 15/08/2022 – Now Closed

Here at The Mainstay Foundation we pride ourselves on our identity as lovers of the Ahlulbayt (as). In light of the tragic and monumental month of Muharram we are offering grants to centres and organisations seeking to carry out Muharram programmes which commemorating the tragedy of Ashura, seeks to rejuvenate, educate and inspire community members towards the path of Imam Hussain (as). Delivery of these grants are part of our charitable objective of advancing the religion of Islam and applicants must prove that they are able to successfully implement a beneficial programme which caters to the needs of community members. Should applicants be successful, a final progress report must be completed within three months of the date they received the funds as part of the grant award. Funding should be used to cover the costs of a speaker; their travel costs, their time (if applicable), in addition to costs associated with the venue ( hiring costs etc)

Ramadhan 2022/1443 Grant Award – Deadline: 24/03/2022 –Now Closed

In light of our focus upon the advancement of the Religion of Islam in accordance with the Shia Ithna Ashari faith and the upcoming holy month of Ramadhan, we are pleased to announce that we are offering the 2022 Holy Month of Ramadhan Grant Award. This entails the provision of grants to those who sharing our goals and objectives specifically with regards to the propagation of the Ithna Ashari faith, are planning to implement a Ramadhan programme that serves communities needs in providing an educationally enlightening and spiritual outlet in this holy month. Upon receipts of this Grant, the recipient is expected to only use the funding in question to cover the costs of the speakers travels, the venue and the speakers time (if applicable). Please note, a final progress report must be sent within three months of the date of the grant award upon receiving a grant award.

Muharram 2021/1443 Grant Award – Deadline: 30/09/2021 – Now Closed

As the restrictions around the UK start to lift, organisations throughout the country look forward to reviving the commemoration of the tragedy of Karbala in the centres. The togetherness that comes with the commemoration has severely been missed by and the community will be eager to attend and host programmes across the country. The Mainstay Foundation are awarding grants to help facilitate these programmes. The funds should be used for covering speaker costs, venue hire costs and other related costs. The Foundation however strongly encourage safety measures to be adhered to in the programmes to ensure the safety all attendees.

Muharram Children’s Programme Grants – Deadline: 30/09/2021 – Now Closed

The Mainstay Foundation are encouraging engaging children with activities to develop the understanding of their faith. While classes and lectures are a key part of that, The Foundation are providing books, puzzles and similar products as a grant to organisations to have material in activities tailored towards children.

Ramadhan 2021/1442: Online programme grants – Deadline: 26/03/2021 – Now Closed

For the Holy Month, The Mainstay Foundation is pleased to announce the Ramadhan 2021/1442 grants in line with our objective of the advancement of the Shi’a Ithna Ashari Faith. In the upcoming Holy Month, The Foundation is providing grants to centres and individuals for programmes, content and activity which are online only. We humbly urge all charities and their leadership to continue observing the safety guidelines throughout the Holy Month and act responsibly as advised by both religious and health authorities.

Muharram 2020/1442: Technological advancement – Deadline: 20/08/2020 – Now Closed

During the uncertain time of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Foundation is working with centres and organisations across the Kingdom, to provide virtual live streaming to the community to benefit from the Majalis from the safety of their own homes. Tailored programmes for children, sisters, and families will be provided.

The Foundation is also providing grants to centres and individuals that are live streaming their programmes, creating online content and helping them to upgrade their streaming technology to provide for a higher quality experience for viewers. We humbly urge all charities and their leadership to continue commemorating safely and responsibly as advised by both religious and health authorities. We have a great challenge before us, but together we will persevere.

General Grant Award – Now Closed

In some cases, The Mainstay Foundation will consider none specifically advertised projects for grant awards. In order to be considered for these, applicants will generally have to apply for grants that relate to the organisation and implementation of a religious occasions that focus upon the advancement of religion of Islam in accordance with the Shia Ithna Ashari faith. Other considerations are for Organisations who need funding to maintain the running and general maintenance of their Organisation, so as long as the Organisation in itself shares and strives to achieve one or more of our charitable objectives, in addition to costs that are associated with the general development of an Organisation. Other requests for funding through a general grant award request application may also be considered. Please note, this application is only open to UK and European based Organisations.

2019 Summer Camp/Scheme Grant Award – Deadline 30/09/2019 – Now Closed

We are pleased to announce the provision of a new 2019 Summer Camp/Scheme Grant. In line with our focus upon community development, which entails educational, spiritual and physical empowerment amongst other things as guided by our emphasis upon the advancement of the religion of Islam in accordance with the Shia Ithna Ashari faith, this grant seeks to award an unspecified figure (subject to request in line with project budget) to Organisations planning and carrying out a summer initiative primarily for youth. The Summer initiative is expected to be a fulfilling summer experience that aims to empower youth spiritually and educationally, foster productivity and vision and importantly also provide a wholesome and entertaining outlet for those participating, all of which is critical in youths development. You can apply for this grant from the beginning of June and the deadline for applications is at the end of September.

2019 Muharram Grant Award – Deadline: 23/08/2019 – Now Closed

Here at The Mainstay Foundation we pride ourselves on our identity as lovers of the Ahlulbayt (as). In light of the tragic and monumental month of Muharram we are offering grants to centres and organisations seeking to carry out Muharram programmes which commemorating the tragedy of Ashura, seeks to rejuvenate, educate and inspire community members towards the path of Imam Hussain (as). Delivery of these grants are part of our charitable objective of advancing the religion of Islam and applicants must prove that they are able to successfully implement a beneficial programme which caters to the needs of community members. Should applicants be successful, a final progress report must be completed within three months of the date they received the funds as part of the grant award. Funding should be used to cover the costs of a speaker; their travel costs, their time (if applicable), in addition to costs associated with the venue (hiring costs etc).

2019 Holy Month of Ramadhan Grant Award – Now Closed

In light of our focus upon the advancement of the Religion of Islam in accordance with the Shia Ithna Ashari faith and the upcoming holy month of Ramadhan, we are pleased to announce that we are offering the 2019 Holy Month of Ramadhan Grant Award. This entails the provision of grants to those who sharing our goals and objectives specifically with regards to the propagation of the Ithna Ashari faith, are planning to implement a Ramadhan programme that serves communities needs in providing an educationally enlightening and spiritual outlet in this holy month. Upon receipts of this Grant, the recipient is expected to only use the funding in question to cover the costs of the speakers travels, the venue and the speakers time (if applicable). Please note, a final progress report must be sent within three months of the date of the grant award upon receiving a grant award.

2018 Muharram Grant Award – Now Closed

Here at The Mainstay Foundation we pride ourselves on our identity as lovers of the Ahlulbayt (as). In light of the tragic and monumental month of Muharram we are offering grants to centres and organisations seeking to carry out Muharram programmes which commemorating the tragedy of Ashura, seeks to rejuvenate, educate and inspire community members towards the path of Imam Hussain (as). Delivery of these grants are part of our charitable objective of advancing the religion of Islam and applicants must prove that they are able to successfully implement a beneficial programme which caters to the needs of community members. Should applicants be successful, a final progress report must be completed within three months of the date they received the funds as part of the grant award. Funding should be used to cover the costs of a speaker; their travel costs, their time (if applicable), in addition to costs associated with the venue ( hiring costs etc).

2018 Summer Camp/Scheme Grant Award – Now Closed

At The Mainstay Foundation, we place great emphasis on community development, a important part of which are summer camps/schemes that focus on developing and promoting youths and their families religious, educational and physical growth among other things. Continuing from last years grant award, we will be offering funding to organisations who are planning to deliver summer programmes that provide a fun and creative outlet, yet also spiritually invigorating experiences for youths and their families.Please note, this grant award is only available to UK and European based applications.

2018 Ramadhan Grant Award- Now Closed

The Mainstay Foundation’s focus upon achieving our charitable objective of the advancement of religion of Islam, in accordance with the Shia Ithna Ashari faith means that we are proud to announce the now available Ramadhan grant awards for the 2018 calendar year. Similarly to the previous years grant award, applicants will be considered in relation to a project that centred around the holy month of Ramadhan caters to the spiritual, religious and educational needs of its community members. Funding should be used to cover the costs of a speaker; their travel costs, their time (if applicable), in addition to costs associated with the venue (Such as hiring costs etc) and more generally (if applicable) costs associated with the project as a whole.

2017 Muharram Grant Award- Now Closed

In light of the tragic month of Muharram, soon approaching, The Mainstay Foundation, in line with its mission to promote community development, is offering the 2017 Muharram Grant Award. As per our key areas of focus, the advancement of the religion of Islam, in accordance with the Shia Ithna Ashari faith, involves the propagation of the teachings of the Quran and the Ahlulbayt (a.s). A critical way of doing this involves funding organisations and centres who in line with our objectives serve the community in this need by delivering commemorations- especially that of Muharram. As such, we are offering grants of up to £3000, to those seeking to plan and implement Muharram programme which involves the delivery of a lecture/ lecture series and or an reciter, alongside an expected audience. It is expected that such a programme in question, will fulfil the needs of community members, who during this month, require a passionate, spiritual and educational outlet, central to which is the legacy and teachings imparted from Imam Hussain (a.s). Upon receipts of this Grant, the recipient is expected to only use the funding in question to cover the costs of the speakers travels, the venue and the speakers time (if applicable).

2017 Summer Camp/Scheme Grant Award – Now Closed

We are pleased to announce the provision of a new 2017 Summer Camp/Scheme Grant. In line with our focus upon community development, which entails educational, spiritual and physical empowerment amongst other things as guided by our emphasis upon the advancement of the religion of Islam in accordance with the Shia Ithna Ashari faith, this grant seeks to award an unspecified figure (subject to request in line with project budget) to Organisations planning and carrying out a summer initiative primarily for youth. The Summer initiative is expected to be a fulfilling summer experience that aims to empower youth spiritually and educationally, foster productivity and vision and importantly also provide a wholesome and entertaining outlet for those participating, all of which is critical in youths development.

2017 Ramadhan Grant- Now Closed

In light of our focus upon the advancement of the Religion of Islam in accordance with the Shia Ithna Ashari faith and the upcoming holy month of Ramadhan, we are pleased to announce the provision of the 2017 Ramadhan Grant Award. This entails providing grants in the amount of £500-£3000 to various centres and organisations, who sharing our goals and objectives specifically with regards to the propagation of the Ithna Ashari faith, are planning to implement a Ramadhan programme that includes a speaker and or reciter within an audience setting. These programs should be available to the community and expected to serve their needs, in providing an educationally enlightening and spiritual outlet in this holy month. Upon receipts of this Grant, the recipient is expected to only use the funding in question to cover the costs of the speakers travels, the venue and the speakers time (if applicable).

We will update this web page as soon as any other Grants are available.

Last updated 18/05/2023