OUR HISTORY

Founded in 1982, the Foundation has already created a lasting legacy.

1982 – Karim Rida Saïd Foundation established by Mr and Mrs Wafic Rida Said with a generous endowment.

1984 – Start of the Further Education Programme offering scholarships to talented students to study in the UK.

1993 – Launch of Child Development Programme supporting a range of projects in the Foundation's target countries.

1997 – Expansion of the Arab Culture Programme through the establishment of a long term partnership with the British Museum’s Arab World Education Programme.

2001 – Establishment of Foundation office in Damascus to directly implement our Syria Disability Programme (now the Syria Programme).

2003 – The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's prestigious Chevening award scheme is added to our list of partners for the Further Education Programme.

2008 - A new Foundation called the Saïd Foundation is established to take over the work of the KRSF. The new Foundation takes the form of a company limited by guarantee and the KRSF is dissolved.

2009 - The Trustees agree to start supporting the Saïd Business School at Oxford University with sizeable annual grants through the Saïd Business School Foundation. The Trustees decide to wind down the Arab Culture Programme to enable the Foundation to focus more clearly on its other programmes.

Our achievements to date:

Further Education: The Foundation has supported over 500 scholars, establishing a sizeable pool of talent for the Middle East.

Child Development: Since 1993 the Foundation has funded or directly implemented over 280 projects across our target region. Each year over 10,000 children benefit directly from our support.

Arab Culture: Thousands of school children, young people and adults have been exposed to different aspects of Arab culture and language through our partnerships with the British Museum and other organisations in the UK.

Said Business School: Through its grants the Foundation has had an impact on the quality of the School's students, staff and services and is providing major funding for a new building to secure the next phase of the School's development.