Grant News
Small UK charities and charitable not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to £15,000 to support vulnerable, socially excluded or marginalised young people aged 12–21.
The funding is available through the Allen Lane Foundation’s Young People’s Programme. It supports young people facing significant challenges or barriers to accessing support and opportunities, particularly those who might otherwise fall through gaps in care, education or other services.
The Foundation is currently focusing on young people who are persistently absent from school, leave school without qualifications, or are in or leaving care. Other priorities include young people who are disengaged from education or employment, vulnerable to exploitation or high-risk behaviour, involved in or at risk of entering the criminal justice system, or affected by serious mental health concerns, abuse, neglect or difficult family circumstances.
Funding could support proactive youth clubs, activities for disaffected young people, employability initiatives and opportunities that provide structure and stability. Both core and project costs are eligible. The Foundation does not support general youth provision, work taking place in schools or projects primarily focused on neurodiversity.
Applicants may include registered charities, constituted voluntary groups and some Community Interest Companies. Locally operating organisations must have annual income and expenditure below £100,000, while UK-wide organisations must be below £250,000.
Grants may be awarded as a single payment or spread over two or three years. Most awards are substantially below the £15,000 maximum, averaging approximately £5,000 to £6,000.
The Foundation does not fund work within Greater London, although London-based organisations may apply if their beneficiaries are not solely based there.
Applications can be submitted at any time. Trustees generally consider applications in February, June and October, with decisions usually taking between two and six months.
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