Random Acts of Kindness

Supporting organisations doing life-changing work

Six years ago, in 2018, we launched our Random Acts of Kindness/Christmas Grants – one-off grants of £10,000 or less for not for profit organisations. All of our grantees are listed further down this page.

“As a family foundation, Kusuma Trust wants to be nimble and able to support a range of charities, while focusing primarily on our priority areas,” says Soma, our Executive Trustee. “Random Acts of Kindness grants allow us to support charities that might not fit into our wider strategy, but that the Trustees or staff see a real value in supporting.”

There are around 169,000 charities in the UK.
Around 8 in 10 of those have an income of less than £100,000 – although these charities are small, they provide vital services in communities across the UK.
To date we’ve given Random Acts of Kindness grants of up to £10,000 to over 90 charities.

In 2024 we have awarded Random Acts of Kindness/small grants to:

Chess in Schools to support ‘Chess Fest’, an outdoor chess festival that will take place in Trafalgar Square in July 2024
Feast with Us to improve the nutrition, wellbeing and health of people at risk of food insecurity in London
Forest Gate Community Garden – A community led green space in the heart of Forest Gate maintained and supported by a group of dedicated volunteers
Jessie’s Fund helps children with additional and complex needs or serious illness to communicate by using music
Luma Foundation to fund essential medical equipment for delivering optimal care to children in hospitals across Yorkshire
Mayhew the animal welfare charity working to improve life for dogs, cats and people in London and internationally
North East London Community Healthcare Charity to improve the benefits and facilities for NHS staff and patients of North East London NHS Foundation Trust
Possible to inspire people in the UK to take the action the climate crisis demands
Whittington Hospital NHS Trust Charity to support the work of their Michael Palin Centre for Stammering, a world-renowned specialist speech and language therapy centre

In 2023 we awarded Random Acts of Kindness Grants to:

Bow Food Bank to support their work in providing food and emergency items to those in need in Tower Hamlets.
British Red Cross to support their work helping millions of people in the UK and around the world get the support they need when crisis strikes.
Bromley and Croydon Women’s Aid aim to empower anyone suffering domestic abuse so they can make informed choices about their future
Chess in Schools to support ‘Chess Fest’, an outdoor chess festival that took place in Trafalgar Square in July 2023.
Disability Snowsports UK to help with their aim of providing access to the unique physical, mental, and social benefits of snowsport, regardless of disability, injury, or experience.
Evie’s Gift a charity that aims to give immediate financial assistance to parents whose children have been admitted to hospital with a life threatening or life limiting condition, and to fund research into the rare brain cancer.
Friends of Holland Park who work for the conservation and improvement of Holland Park in Kensington. We are supporting their Sensory Garden project for the local SEND Community.
Friends of Rosendale Primary School is a charity run by volunteers to support the welfare and education of the children, families and staff at Rosendale Primary School.
Friends of Royal London Hospital a charity dedicated to improving hospital amenities for both patients and staff at the The Royal London Hospital.
Give a Book a charity dedicated to promoting books and the pleasure of reading in the hardest places. Their main work is in prisons, schools and with disadvantaged children.
Hall School Charitable Trust who aim to provide education for boys aged between four and thirteen, including sports, music, drama, arts and crafts and other activities.
Healthy Living Platform a charity that is all about offering activities which benefit the health and wellbeing of the whole community by bringing people together to help them create healthy and sustainable lifestyles and to achieve the changes that matter.
Kings College Hospital is a major trauma centre in Lambeth. We are contributing towards the development of a ‘wobble room’ which will provide a private space and emotional support for staff experiencing distress.
Lewisham Music who are on a mission to inspire and empower young people across their community through a diverse programme of learning and music-making.
London Reclaimed to help young people who struggle to step up into employment. They provide job-specific training, employability skills, tailored mentoring and paid work to 16-25 years olds in South East London.
Motor Neurone Disease Association a national charity that fund research, improve care and provide support for people with MND, their families and carers.
Music Venue Trust that aim to secure and improve UK Grassroots Music Venues for the benefit of venues, communities and upcoming artists.
Rosetta Arts a creative hub in East London that provides creative courses workshops and experiences, reaching those who otherwise may have little access to the rich and transformative benefits of the arts and education.
Snow Camp is run by charity Switch180 to deliver an accredited course to young people at indoor snow domes across the UK in partnership with youth projects and youth service providers.
Solidarity Sports so that more young people in the London boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham could take part in their activities.
Sports Traider a charity that exists to give young people employment and sports participation opportunities. In doing so they gain confidence, self-esteem, retail skills and improve mental and physical health.
Street Doctors empower young people affected by violence to keep themselves and other safe by giving young people the skills and confidence to deliver life saving first aid.
Sufra NW London who address both the causes and consequences of extreme poverty, homelessness and social isolation. Our grant will contribute towards their community food bank and kitchen, based in Brent.
The British Library to support their involvement in the Somers Town Festival in early July 2022. The British Library organised a stage providing a platform for musical artists, local community groups and young people from the area. More information about the festival can be viewed in this short video here. (please note this link is to an external website which Kusuma has no responsibility for the content)
The listening Place who offer free, confidential and ongoing face-to-face listening appointments to people who feel that their life is no longer worth living.
The Magpie Project to support their work in providing a safe and fun place for mums and under-fives suffering in temporary or insecure accommodation.
Turn2Us a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. They aim to ensure that everyone in the UK has financial security so they can thrive.
Two Ridings Community Foundation enable people who want to give across North and East Yorkshire to set up funds and donate to causes they care about.
UNHCR – The UN Refugee Agency a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance who are providing a lifesaving rapid response emergency service to over 5 million people across the whole of Yorkshire.
Young Minds who fight for children and young people’s mental health, they aim to see a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people can access the support they need when they need it.

In 2022 we awarded Random Acts of Kindness Grants to:

Bow Food Bank to support their work in providing food and emergency items to those in need in Tower Hamlets.
British Red Cross to support their work helping millions of people in the UK and around the world get the support they need when crisis strikes.
Bromley and Croydon Women’s Aid aim to empower anyone suffering domestic abuse so they can make informed choices about their future
Chess in Schools to support ‘Chess Fest’, an outdoor chess festival that took place in Trafalgar Square in July 2022.
Disability Snowsports UK to help with their aim of providing access to the unique physical, mental, and social benefits of snowsport, regardless of disability, injury, or experience.
Evie’s Gift a charity that aims to give immediate financial assistance to parents whose children have been admitted to hospital with a life threatening or life limiting condition, and to fund research into the rare brain cancer.
Friends of Holland Park who work for the conservation and improvement of Holland Park in Kensington. We are supporting their Sensory Garden project for the local SEND Community.
Friends of Rosendale Primary School is a charity run by volunteers to support the welfare and education of the children, families and staff at Rosendale Primary School.
Friends of Royal London Hospital a charity dedicated to improving hospital amenities for both patients and staff at the The Royal London Hospital.
Give a Book a charity dedicated to promoting books and the pleasure of reading in the hardest places. Their main work is in prisons, schools and with disadvantaged children.
Hall School Charitable Trust who aim to provide education for boys aged between four and thirteen, including sports, music, drama, arts and crafts and other activities.
Healthy Living Platform a charity that is all about offering activities which benefit the health and wellbeing of the whole community by bringing people together to help them create healthy and sustainable lifestyles and to achieve the changes that matter.
Kings College Hospital is a major trauma centre in Lambeth. We are contributing towards the development of a ‘wobble room’ which will provide a private space and emotional support for staff experiencing distress.
Lewisham Music who are on a mission to inspire and empower young people across their community through a diverse programme of learning and music-making.
London Reclaimed to help young people who struggle to step up into employment. They provide job-specific training, employability skills, tailored mentoring and paid work to 16-25 years olds in South East London.
Motor Neurone Disease Association a national charity that fund research, improve care and provide support for people with MND, their families and carers.
Music Venue Trust that aim to secure and improve UK Grassroots Music Venues for the benefit of venues, communities and upcoming artists.
Rosetta Arts a creative hub in East London that provides creative courses workshops and experiences, reaching those who otherwise may have little access to the rich and transformative benefits of the arts and education.
Snow Camp is run by charity Switch180 to deliver an accredited course to young people at indoor snow domes across the UK in partnership with youth projects and youth service providers.
Solidarity Sports so that more young people in the London boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham could take part in their activities.
Sports Traider a charity that exists to give young people employment and sports participation opportunities. In doing so they gain confidence, self-esteem, retail skills and improve mental and physical health.
Street Doctors empower young people affected by violence to keep themselves and other safe by giving young people the skills and confidence to deliver life saving first aid.
Sufra NW London who address both the causes and consequences of extreme poverty, homelessness and social isolation. Our grant will contribute towards their community food bank and kitchen, based in Brent.
The British Library to support their involvement in the Somers Town Festival in early July 2022. The British Library organised a stage providing a platform for musical artists, local community groups and young people from the area. More information about the festival can be viewed in this short video here. (please note this link is to an external website which Kusuma has no responsibility for the content)
The listening Place who offer free, confidential and ongoing face-to-face listening appointments to people who feel that their life is no longer worth living.
The Magpie Project to support their work in providing a safe and fun place for mums and under-fives suffering in temporary or insecure accommodation.
Turn2Us a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. They aim to ensure that everyone in the UK has financial security so they can thrive.
Two Ridings Community Foundation enable people who want to give across North and East Yorkshire to set up funds and donate to causes they care about.
UNHCR – The UN Refugee Agency a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance who are providing a lifesaving rapid response emergency service to over 5 million people across the whole of Yorkshire.
Young Minds who fight for children and young people’s mental health, they aim to see a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people can access the support they need when they need it.

In 2021 we awarded Random Acts of Kindness Grants to:

Alzheimer’s Research UK is the country’s leading dementia research charity, dedicated to causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure.
Bite Back 2030 educates the public on the causes and risks of childhood obesity and promotes healthy lifestyle choices.
Chess in Schools to support ‘Chess Fest’, an outdoor chess festival that took place in Trafalgar Square in July 2021 themed around Lewis Carroll’s Alice Through the Looking Glass.
Inland Waterways is a charity that works to protect and restore Britain’s inland waterways. Our grant equipped 150 volunteers to clean up a 12 mile stretch of the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal.
Leukaemia UK funds research and care for those affected by leukaemia and other blood cancers and related disorders.
Live Unlimited supports looked after children and care leavers in Barnet.
Music As Therapy International promote and develop music therapy in the UK and around the world.
Nova New Opportunities offer grassroots support to their local community. Our grant will enable families from Kensington and Chelsea to participate in Christmas activities.
Royal Mencap Society supports people with a learning disability, and their families and carers.
Small Acts of Kindness Trust reduces the negative impact of loneliness and isolation on the physical and mental wellbeing of older people.
Spread The Word promotes and develops literature and creative writing within London.
Tamasha Theatre Company supports a new generation of artists from the Global Majority, enabling them to create thought-provoking theatre that inspires people across the UK.
The Armitage Foundation brings equity to the medical school admissions process and provides students from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
The Bike Project supports refugees and asylum seekers in London and Birmingham.
The British Library to support their inclusive Paddington Family Day inspired by the current ‘Paddington: The Story of the Bear’ exhibition.
The Elizabeth Foundation helps young deaf children learn to listen and talk and they are the UK’s largest single provider of education services for babies and preschool children with hearing loss.
The Kids Network is a community of children and young professionals connecting through fun, friendship and hardship for positive social change.
The Literacy Pirates improves the reading, writing and perseverance of children who are falling behind in school and have fewer opportunities.
Tower Hamlets Opportunity Playgroup provides a borough wide service in Tower Hamlets for children from 2 to 5 years old. 51% of the children have a disability/additional needs.
UNICEF UK Yemen Appeal supports emergency aid (nutrition, healthcare and education) for children affected by the conflict in Yemen.
Wasafiri Magazine is the UK’s leading magazine for international contemporary writing and encourage readers to travel the world to engage in cross-cultural dialogue.
Young Lewisham Project creates a safe, inclusive learning environment and engages young people to increase their confidence and improve their skills and self-esteem.
Young Roots works with young refugees supporting them to improve their wellbeing and fulfil their potential.
Young Westminster Foundation works to ensure young people in Westminster grow up healthy, safe and happy. Our grant funded research into the experiences, concerns and needs of young people the area in 2020-2021.

In 2020 we awarded Random Acts of Kindness Grants to:

Ace of Clubs is a community and support centre for people experiencing homelessness and marginalisation in Clapham, London.
London Children’s Ballet – a performance company that inspires the pursuit of excellence and changes lives through dance. Their outreach work takes ballet into schools, care homes and special needs centres in and around London.
London Friend supports thousands of LGBT people each year with counselling, drug and alcohol support, information and advice.
Matt Hampson Foundation offers advice, support and treatment for people who have been seriously injured through playing sport.
North London Cares brings older and younger neighbours together to combat loneliness and isolation across North London.
Papyrus UK is a suicide prevention charity providing confidential advice on the HOPELINEUK hotline from 9am to midnight every day of the year.
The Bhavan is the largest centre for Indian Arts and Culture outside of India, offering South Asian music, dance and language classes to over 800 students
The Bow Food Bank provides food and toiletries to anyone in need, from their hubs in Bethnal Green and Bromley-By-Bow.
The Refugee Cafe serves delicious international food while training refugees in Lewisham and South East London.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre – for a conference hosted by the RSC Education and Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning teams. Teachers and arts professionals explored how arts experiences can develop the creative potential of children and young people.
UNICEF UK Yemen Appeal supports emergency aid (nutrition, healthcare and education) for children affected by the conflict in Yemen.

In 2019, we awarded Random Acts of Kindness grants to:

The Akshaya Patra Foundation UK – an organisation tackling hunger, malnutrition and education in India and the UK by providing freshly cooked, nourishing meals.
Play for Progress – which delivers music and arts programmes, advocacy, and well-being support for traumatised and socially-isolated unaccompanied minor refugees and asylum-seekers.
Chefs in Schools – who train cooks to work in schools, making everything from scratch and baking fresh bread daily.
Shropshire Youth Support Trust – an organisation who run enterprise centres for disadvantaged young people so they can run a profitable and viable business.
The Dyspraxia Foundation – supporting individuals and families affected by developmental dyspraxia through a help line and advice services.
Regenerate – helping transform lives and communities, by providing safe spaces for young people as well as sports, games, festivals and trips.
EHE Rare Cancer Charity – who provide support for patients through their diagnosis and treatment, as well as advocating for greater awareness, research into and care for EHE.
Palace for All – to provide a place where children of all abilities can meet, play and learn in an inclusive environment while also supporting the needs of their families and friends.
Growth – an initiative by local churches in Tower Hamlets to respond to homelessness in their community through emergency night shelters and securing long-term accommodation.
Action For Refugees In Lewisham – an organisation helping refugees and their families, integrate into the community and supporting their basic skills and capacities.
Art Against Knives – working in London’s most isolated communities, co-designing creative spaces with young people including music studios and nail bars.
Ebony Horse Club – a community riding centre in one of the UK’s most deprived communities teaching riding and horse care, taking groups to outdoor events and on trips away.

In 2018, we awarded Random Acts of Kindness grants to:

Bowhaven – a mental health service running self-help groups and education activities.
For Jimmy – an organisation that provides ‘safe havens’ where young people can turn if they feel they are in danger.
Homeless Action in Barnet – which provides homeless people with advice and support, as well as healthy meals, clothes, showers and access to medical services.
The Angel Boat – a community boat used to take residents and community groups on day trips and overnight stays.
Full of Life – to empower and support parents in their journey of caring for their children with additional needs in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

“The grant from the Kusuma Trust has enabled us to provide more trips on our purpose-built canal narrow boat, designed for the needs of our local community. Groups benefiting from this have included young people and people with special needs on residential trips; and refugees and torture victims, and elderly and isolated people, on day trips. They’ve all had a great experience thanks to Kusuma Trust.”

Giles Eyre, Chair of Trustees/Directors at Angel Community Canal Boat Trust

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