## **MOMTAJ FOUNDATIONS Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** 

**From  30[th] November 2023  To 31[st] December 2024** 

## **Charity name: MOMTAJ FOUNDATION** 

**Charity registration number: 1200311** 

Momtaj Foundation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (“the CIO”) with registered offices in the UK, as listed below. 

## **Trustee’s** 

The charity trustees shall manage the affairs of the CIO and may, for that purpose, exercise all the powers of the CIO. It is the duty of each charity trustee: 

- a) to exercise his or her powers and to perform his or her functions in his or her capacity as a trustee of the CIO in the way he or she decides in good faith would be most likely to further the purposes of the CIO; and 

- b) to exercise, in the performance of those functions, such care and skill as is reasonable in the circumstances, having regard in particular to: 

- c) any special knowledge or experience that he or she has or holds himself or herself out as having. 

## **First charity trustees** 

The first charity trustees are as follows, and are appointed for the following terms: 

1. Syed Ahmed [for [4] years] 

2. Nabeela Begum Raza [for [3] years] 

3. Mikail Khandkar Uddin [for [2] years] 

## **Structure, Governance and Management** 

New trustees are appointed by existing Trustees and serve no longer than 5 years. 

## **Reference and Administrative details** 

|Charityname|MomtajFoundation|
|---|---|
|Registered charitynumber|1200311|
|Charity’sprincipal address|32 Ross Apartment,23 Seagul lane,London E161DE|
|Banking Partners.|Lloyds Bank<br>Sort Code: 30 99 50<br>Account 26841560|



MOMTAJ FOUNDATION | Charity number 1200311 




||IBAN: GB18LOYD30995026841560<br>3-5 Whitechapel Rd,London E1 1DU|
|---|---|
|Accountants & Auditors|UK Management Accountancy LTD,<br>Unit 7 3-5 Little Somerset Street London E1 8AH|



## **Name of trustees and volunteers** 

Chairman, Trustee. Appointed 8th of September 2022. Syed Ahmed Fund Raiser, Secretary, Trustee. Appointed 8th of Nabeela Raza September 2022. Fund Raiser, Trustee. Appointed 8th of September 2022. Mikael Ahmed Local Project Manager in Bangladesh. Appointed 8th of Helal Ahmed September 2022. Fundraiser & Treasury. Appointed 8th of September 2022. Dhan Miah 

## **Objectives and Activities** 

The Foundation’s Charitable Objects, as set out in its Deed of Trust, are: 

The charity's objects ("objects") are to promote and support by way of the making of grants of money: 

1. Relief of financial need and suffering among victims of natural and other kinds of disasters for the public benefit in Bangladesh 

2. Prevention or relief of poverty for the public benefit in Bangladesh by providing single mothers with grants, goods, and other services to support their family’s basic needs of food, clothing, health care, education, and shelter. 

3. To advance the education of children and young people for the public benefit in Bangladesh, by providing grants for school equipment, travel costs and fees. This shall include: 

   - a. Primary, secondary and tertiary education at established educational institutions that lead to high school or college qualifications issued or recognised by national authorities. 

   - b. Education that allows students to learn/memorise the Quran 

4. Such other charitable objects or purposes as the trustees may from time to time determine 

The objects may be achieved by making grants to individuals or organisations (being organisations which are exclusively charitable according to the laws of England and Wales). 

MOMTAJ FOUNDATION | Charity number 1200311 




## **Priorities for support** 

The trustees have determined that the Foundation’s work by which to deliver public benefit in relation to its Objects should, at the current time, be focused on the following three key priorities: 

- Promoting strong and cohesive communities 

   - Supporting projects that promote equality and integration within society, particularly single mothers who face destitution and marginalisation in society 

- Enabling young people to realise their potential 

   - Supporting those who cannot afford an education and encouraging entrepreneurship amongst young people from disadvantaged backgrounds 

   - Supporting young people to develop their skills and take advantage of opportunities that would not be available to them otherwise, due to their backgrounds 

   - Supporting orphans and those growing up without parental support. 

- Empowering women and girls 

   - Supporting women and girls through skills development 

   - Supporting women and girls facing abuse, discrimination and disadvantage 

   - Supporting widows, the bereaved and single mothers in hardship 

The trustees recognise that these objectives will often require the provision of health, education, basic needs, and other related services to those without access to them. 

The priorities in this policy will be reviewed regularly by the trustees (at least every two years). They may be changed in accordance with the trustees’ views of the most effective application of available funds at any point in time. 

## **Approach** 

The Foundation delivers its key objectives through the following grant-making vehicles: 

- Hardship Grants. The Foundation will administer a major grants and donations programme to support individuals in need. Applications will only be considered via third-party referrals. Hardship grants may include: 

   - Small cash payments to beneficiaries facing destitution and homelessness 

   - Payments to registered medical professionals for providing essential healthcare and medicine 

   - Provision of goods – food, medicine, clothing and other essential housing needs 

MOMTAJ FOUNDATION | Charity number 1200311 




`o` Payment towards education fees – to registered institutions of learning only 

- Major grants. The trustees will, from time to time, choose to make major grants – typically one-off – to trusted third parties by which to further the Foundation’s Objects. The trustees acknowledge the value of working with trusted third parties to deliver projects in line with its priorities to maximise the impact of its support and where other organisations have greater expertise. 

## **Geographic extent** 

The trustees wish to support causes in Bangladesh. 

## **Exclusions** 

The trustees will not normally approve the use of the Foundation’s funds for purposes for which the government has a responsibility to provide. 

## **Due Diligence** 

Recognising their duty to safeguard charitable assets, trustees confirm that any third party organisation receiving support from the Foundation must be: 

- A UK registered charity; or, 

- In respect of organisations outside of the UK, the Foundation will ensure 

   - that such organisations are either registered with the appropriate local regulator or public authorities, and 

   - have in place appropriate governance and financial handling policies and procedures to ensure the appropriate safeguarding and use of the Foundation’s charitable funds, and 

   - The organisation carries out activities that are charitable under UK law. 

The Charity Trustees will keep a written record of any due diligence that they undertake. 

## **GRANT PROGRAMMES** 

## **1. Hardship Grants** 

## **Principles** 

The Foundation will administer a grants and donations programme by which to support individuals in need. To be eligible for a small grant or donation, the donation must be in line with the Foundation’s Objects. 

MOMTAJ FOUNDATION | Charity number 1200311 




Hardship grants are available for residents of Sylhet, Bangladesh, only and are available to individuals who are referred by a third party only and where there is enough evidence to demonstrate that the individual is suffering clear financial hardship or does not have the financial means for essential expenditure. Trustees prioritise: 

- a. families over individuals 

- b. the most financially excluded people 

- c. items that will make the most difference, including: 

   - Food and clothing; 

   - Medicine; 

   - Education fees 

Whilst trustees are willing to consider all applications, Hardship Grants will normally be made available for: 

- The purchase of individual items essential to daily living, such as an oven, refrigerator or basic furniture, allows the person/family to live with dignity 

- The costs linked to significant life changes, such as equipment for a new baby, equipment or facilities for those suffering ill health, or expenditure linked to an unexpected need to move to new accommodation 

- Purchases related to gaining employment, such as tools, uniforms and other related employment costs (including payments to bridge the period before receipt of salary for those who might be prevented from taking up employment) 

- Repayment of debts incurred, where it can be clearly shown that repayment of such will enable the applicant to make a positive change to their lives. Please note that repayment of credit card debts is not considered, but supporting individuals with rent or council tax arrears will be. 

- Student tuition fees or maintenance costs 

- Regular food parcels for individuals and families facing destitution 

The maximum Hardship Grant is £2500. Most grants are between £500 – £1,000. The maximum food parcel will be £20 per week for a duration of 6 months. 

## **Applications process** 

Applications for individual grants or donations must be made using the Foundation’s application form. They must be completed by a third party, typically another charity, social services or schools. 

Foundation staff are responsible for checking that any grant or donation is in line with the Foundation’s charitable Objects and will deliver public benefit. The Foundation staff are also responsible for verifying appropriate evidence to ensure that recipients are eligible to receive a grant or donation. 

MOMTAJ FOUNDATION | Charity number 1200311 




## **Monitoring and reporting** 

Foundation staff will require proof that the grant has been used for the purposes agreed. No further monitoring will be required, unless agreed otherwise in advance. 

## **2. Major grants** 

## **Principles** 

The Foundation will administer a major grants programme to support organisations in furthering the Foundation’s Objects. 

The Foundation’s major grants programme enables trustees to provide one-off support to UK-registered charities or organisations that carry out activities charitable under UK law. Any such grant or donation must be in line with the Foundation’s Objects. 

When the Foundation considers supporting a third party through its small grant programme, the following criteria should be met: 

- Distinctive and innovative projects where the Foundation is driving long-term change to deliver one or more of the Foundation’s strategic objectives. 

- Developing sustainable change or business models 

- Leveraging wider community support 

- Clear recognition for the Foundation’s role to support its wider strategic priorities and vision 

In addition, the following principles apply: 

- The Foundation will willingly work in partnership with other organisations to fund initiatives beyond the financial scope of a single organisation. 

- All applications from previous recipients of grants or from previously unsuccessful applicants will be considered by the trustees on their own merits. Although the trustees will have regard to the outcome of the previous grant, any new application will not receive preferential or adverse consideration. 

## **Applications process** 

The trustees will not invite open applications for major grants to the Foundation, but will instead identify organisations with strong track records in areas of key relevance to the Foundation. 

The Foundation applies a three-stage assessment process for a project it identifies for support: 

MOMTAJ FOUNDATION | Charity number 1200311 




1. Preliminary consideration by the Foundation’s trustees/staff team. The Foundation will consider whether a project or organisation is eligible and worthy of support, and will put it to the trustees for their comments and approval to proceed. 

2. If approved by the trustees, the potential partner organisation will be approached to develop a full proposal and detailed budget, which will be presented to the full board of trustees for their approval. 

3. Grant confirmation. The final agreement will be signed by two trustees of the Foundation and the CEO of the partner organisation. 

## **Monitoring and Publication** 

It is the policy of the trustees to monitor all grants made. To this end, before a grant can be confirmed, conditions will be stipulated appropriate to the work to be carried out, and progress will be assessed against agreed targets and/or milestones. 

If the grant is payable in instalments, then payment of subsequent grant instalments will be dependent on satisfactory progress having been demonstrated and the trustees reserve the right to withdraw the grant on receipt of unsatisfactory progress reports. Failure to submit reports at the time specified by the trustees may also jeopardise the continuation of the Foundation’s support. The Foundation also provides in its grant agreement for the repayment of funds provided if they have not been used for the agreed purposes. 

In addition to reports detailing progress, grant recipients will be expected to provide: 

- A statement of how their grant monies have been spent for the year 

- Details (where appropriate) of any other funds applied to the same project. 

Monitoring visits by representatives of the Foundation may be expected during the grant period. 

The trustees also expect to receive copies of any published articles, papers or other outputs which may result from the project, including all media coverage. 

Upon completion of the project, the grant recipient will (where appropriate) be expected to submit a final report, generally within three months of the end of the grant, detailing the project's results and outputs in full. The grant recipient should inform the Foundation of any extenuating circumstances that delay the submission of the final report, to allow a mutually acceptable submission date to be agreed. 

## **Grants, projects and organisations which the Trustees will not support are:** 

- Contributions to general appeals or circulars; 

- Religious activity which is not for the wider public benefit. 

- Public bodies to carry out their statutory obligations; 

MOMTAJ FOUNDATION | Charity number 1200311 




- Activities which solely support animal welfare; 

- Activities which have already taken place; 

- Grant-making by other organisations. 

- 

- Privately owned and profit-distributing companies or limited partnerships. 

## **OTHER CONSIDERATIONS** 

## **Grants to Trustees or Connected Persons** 

In this policy, references to persons who are "connected" with a trustee mean: 

- (a) a child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, brother, or sister of a trustee; 

- (b) the spouse, unmarried partner or civil partner of a trustee or of any person falling within paragraph (a) above; 

- (c) any person who is in a business partnership with a trustee or any person who is in a business partnership with any person falling within paragraph (a) or (b) above; and 

- (d) any company, business, trust or organisation in which a trustee (or any other person connected to them) has an interest as a beneficiary or through ownership, control or influence. 

Nothing in the Foundation's articles of association authorises a trustee or any person connected to them to receive a benefit from the Foundation as a beneficiary. 

If an application for a grant is made to the foundation by a trustee, or a person connected to them, the non-conflicted trustees may therefore consider making the grant in accordance with this policy. 

If a trustee, or a person connected to them, applies for a grant the conflicted trustee must: 

1. absent themselves from any discussion of the grant application by the nonconflicted trustees; and 

2. have no vote and not be counted as part of the quorum in any decision of the nonconflicted Charity Trustees on the grant. 

This applies to both hardship grants and major grants. 

## **Reviewing and amending this policy** 

This policy will be reviewed by the trustees at least every two years. 

The trustees may vary the terms of this policy from time to time. 

## **Achievements and Performance Summary for the Fiscal Year** 

MOMTAJ FOUNDATION | Charity number 1200311 




During this fiscal year, Momtaj Foundation continued to deliver public benefit in Bangladesh through targeted grants and direct project delivery. The Foundation prioritised interventions that relieve poverty and hardship, strengthen community resilience, and support families with essential needs, including food, healthcare, shelter, and safe water. 

## **Overview of delivery** 

- 24 completed projects funded during this period, with a total recorded project spend of £48,172.00. 

- 3 medical welfare cases supported. 

- 12 water security projects delivered, including deep tube wells, village wells, and a deep water pump. 

- 3 major shelter and livelihoods projects delivered, combining housing stability with income generation. 

- Large-scale food relief was delivered through flood response, Eid support, and international humanitarian distributions, impacting thousands of lives. 

- The Freedom Fund pilot demonstrated uplift from poverty to enterprise, with business performance and external bank validation supporting replication. 

## **Key initiative, Freedom Micro Enterprise Project, scaling the Freedom Fund model** 

This year, the trustees launched the Freedom Fund, a Micro Enterprise Project, delivered through the Momtaj Foundation, as a key initiative for scale. The model is designed to move families from poverty to enterprise by combining two elements: a safe home and an income-generating micro enterprise, supported by practical training and simple financial reporting. The pilot has demonstrated that a one-time capital intervention can create sustainable household income, reduce dependency, and improve long-term resilience. 

## **Case study, Samarun Nessa, from vulnerability to viability** 

Samarun Nessa, an elderly single mother in Bangladesh caring for three adult sons, including 2 with disabilities, was living in extreme poverty with urgent medical needs and escalating debt. Despite owning a small plot of land, the household had no adequate shelter and a limited income. 

Through the Freedom Fund, the Foundation delivered: 

1. Infrastructure investment, a secure 3-bedroom home constructed on the family land, including a commercial shop extension designed as a small grocery store 

2. Entrepreneurship development, training the able-bodied son, Dalim, in small business operations, market research, stock management, sales tracking, and profit and loss reporting, plus funding the first 6 months of inventory of daily essentials 

MOMTAJ FOUNDATION | Charity number 1200311 




Within the first 3 months, the business achieved monthly sales of 68,133 BDT and a gross margin of around 40%, with a structured approach to stock reinvestment and a savings buffer. The household became debt-free, and a local bank approved a small business loan after reviewing Foundation-trained profit-and-loss accounts, demonstrating validation and access to formal finance. 

Under a conservative 5-year projection, the model shows cumulative wealth creation of 767,379 BDT, equivalent to over £5,300, alongside improved food security, healthcare access, and household stability. This evidence underpins the Foundation’s plan to scale the Freedom Micro Enterprise Project as a flagship poverty relief initiative. 

## **Monitoring, assurance, and stewardship** 

The trustees continued to safeguard charitable assets through proportionate due diligence and monitoring. Project delivery evidence, spending records, and beneficiary confirmation were collected where appropriate, and the trustees retained the right to request further reporting or withdraw support where progress was not satisfactory. This approach supports transparent grant-making and ensures funds are applied for the agreed charitable purposes. 

## **Looking ahead** 

Building on the proven Freedom Fund pilot, the trustees plan to scale the Freedom Micro Enterprise Project as a core programme. The next phase will focus on standardising the delivery blueprint, strengthening monitoring and simple business reporting, and increasing the number of households supported, to create sustainable income, stability, and dignity for families facing hardship. 

## **Financial Review** 

£48,172 was donated to the projects listed below. After costs, the resultant £7,321.27 is held in the foundation's bank account to form part of the following year’s project funding. 

disperse funds as they are raised. 

In accordance with the charity's grant policy. 

The fund has nominal operating costs, and there is no uncertainty about the charity continuing to run as a going concern. 

## **Declarations** 

MOMTAJ FOUNDATION | Charity number 1200311 




**Signature(s) Full name(s)** Syed Ahmed **Position (eg Secretary,** Chair **Chair, etc) Date** 24.12.25 

MOMTAJ FOUNDATION | Charity number 1200311 



Momtaj Foundation (REGISTERED WITH CHARITY COMMISSION NO: 1200311) 

Report and Accounts 

31 December 2024 



## **Momtaj Foundation** 

## **Receipt and Expenditure account for the year ended 31 December 2024** 

|**Receipts**<br>Lillah, sadaqah and other donations<br>**Charitable activities**<br>Grants and payments<br>**Expenses**<br>General administrative expenses:<br>Bank charges<br>Sundry expenses<br>Total expenses<br>**Surplus (Deficit) of receipts over expenditure**<br>**UNRESTRICTED FUND:**<br>At 1 January 2024<br>Surplus (Deficit) of receipts over expenditure<br>At 31 December 2024|**2024**<br>**£**<br>54,354<br>48,172<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>6,182<br>1,139<br>6,182<br>7,321|**2023**<br>**£**<br>25,740|
|---|---|---|
|||24,259|
|||30<br>312|
|||342|
||||
|||342|
||||
|||1,139|
|||-|
|||1,139|
|||1,139|



1 



## **Momtaj Foundation Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024** 

|**Notes**<br>**Current assets**<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>**Net current assets**<br>**Net assets**<br>**UNRESTRICTED FUND:**<br>Fund Balance<br>2<br>**Total funds**|7,321|**2024**<br>**£**<br>7,321<br>7,321<br>7,321<br>7,321|1,139|**2023**<br>**£**<br>1,139|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
|||||1,139|
|||||1,139|
|||||1,139|



|Signed by two|trustees on behalf of all the trustees|
|---|---|
|Signature:||
|Print Name:|Syed Ahmed|
|Date||
||24.12.25|
|Signature:||
|Print Name:|Nabeela Raza|
|Date|24.12.25|



2 



## **Momtaj Foundation Notes to the Accounts** 

**for the year ended 31 December 2024** 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

## _**Basis of preparation**_ 

The Accounts are drawn up on a cash basis. 

|**2**<br>**UNRESTRICTED FUND:**<br>At 1 January 2024<br>At 31 December 2024|**2024**<br>**£**<br>1,139|
|---|---|
||7,321|



## **3 Lillah, sadaqah and other donations** 

Lillah, sadaqah and other donations represents small donations made by individuals and companies during the course of the year. 

3 



## 

## 



##