Small and larger grants are available to UK registered charities working in the UK and/or overseas to the exploration of alternate and diverse forms of artistic expression, life views and philosophies, as well as a way to support established charities and people with special needs.
The Material World Foundation Limited is a family-based grant-making charity with its offices in London. The Foundation, which was started by the musician and former member of The Beatles, George Harrison, currently has 6 trustees, including Olivia Harrison, George Harrison’s wife, Linda Arias, her sister, and Dhani Harrison, George Harrison’s son. The Foundation was launched simultaneously with the release of Harrison’s album “Living in the Material World”, which included the single “Give Me Love, Give Me Peace on Earth”, in 1973. The royalties from the album were donated by Harrison in perpetuity to the Material World Foundation Limited.
Olivia Harrison is also a trustee of the Harrison Foundation, established in 2016 to encourage the exploration of alternative and diverse forms of artistic expression and to support diverse established charities and people with special needs. Its Charity Commission entry stated that the Foundation “continues to seek opportunities to achieve its stated objective”. Since it was created, the Foundation’s annual expenditure has never exceeded £2,000.
The aim of the Material World Foundation mirrors that of the Harrison Foundation, namely to:
Encourage the exploration of alternate and diverse forms of artistic expression, life views and philosophies as well as a way to support established charities and people with special needs.
As with the Harrison Foundation, it continues to seek opportunities to achieve its stated objective. Awards can range from £500 to £50,000.
Please note that the Foundation does not have a formal application process. Charities interested in applying should write.
The Trustees meet regularly to consider requests for grant support.
Further information about the Foundation is available on its website.