The Duke of Edinburgh Award International Association – Bright Future Trust (original) (raw)

The International Award Association (IAA) encompasses the DofE UK and all its other 61 National Award Authorities across the globe. Dr Chai Patel is one of seven founder members of International Special Projects (ISP) which operates under the auspices of the IAA chaired by HRH Prince Edward, The Earl of Essex KG GCVO.

The Patel Family invested £300,000 in an endowment fund that, combined with contributions from the other Founder Members, generates the interest that is used to fund ISP each year. The premise of the ISP is to provide seed funding to projects which will reach those young people who would potentially benefit most from the Award experience. These projects often focus on those most vulnerable, marginalised from society and at-risk and typically last between 1 and 3 years and are granted an average of £5,000 per year. Each one is encouraged to find matched funding from other sources and to demonstrate its potential for self-sustaining growth in the future particularly.