Material World Foundation Limited

Material World Foundation Limited, originally founded in 1973 by George Harrison as The Material World Charitable Foundation, embodies his vision from the Concert for Bangladesh era to foster alternate artistic expression, diverse philosophies, and support for established charities aiding people with special needs. Endowed with perpetual royalties from Harrison's album *Living in the Material World*, it blends musical legacy with philanthropy, promoting cross-cultural arts like world music festivals and education while addressing humanitarian crises. Governed by family trustees including Olivia and Dhani Harrison, its ethos prioritizes openness, diversity, high-trust partnerships, and holistic enrichment without bureaucratic hurdles.

The foundation funds arts and cultural initiatives (e.g., Ravi Shankar festivals, pandemic-era Inner Light Challenge donating $500,000 to MusiCares, Save the Children, and Médecins Sans Frontières), humanitarian aid (poverty relief, children's health via Great Ormond Street Hospital, NSPCC, Macmillan Nurses), emergency response, and projects for special needs groups like The Achievable Foundation. It supports both proactive grants and direct inquiries to medium-to-large established charities worldwide, favoring those integrating arts with vulnerability support.

Unsolicited applications are not formally accepted, but charities may submit proposals via letter for discretionary review at adhoc trustee meetings with no fixed deadlines or income thresholds—global reach without geographic or religious restrictions. Typical grants range £10,000–£500,000 for projects, core costs, or capacity building. Distinctive for its irregular, significant awards rooted in spiritual-musical heritage, it avoids open processes, excluding unaligned or speculative requests while excelling in rare, impactful global interventions.