Grant News
UK-registered charities and exempt charities (including CIOs) can apply for grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 to improve educational outcomes for children and young people under 26 who face significant disadvantage and struggle to access vital services
The funding is made available through the Steel Charitable Trust’s United Kingdom Under-26 Fund and can be used to support:
Types of activities that can be funded include:
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Educational opportunities: Projects that provide learning, skills development, or access to further education for young people.
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Access opportunities: Initiatives that help young people access support, services, or experiences that would otherwise be out of reach due to economic or social barriers.
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Projects targeting groups or locations facing disadvantage: Work that supports young people in circumstances or communities experiencing economic hardship or social exclusion.
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Capital and running costs: Funding can cover specific project costs, including salaries for stated roles, IT upgrades, building renovations, or other capital expenditures, as long as these are detailed in the application65.
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Ongoing or new projects: Both new project costs and contributions towards existing projects are eligible, provided the beneficiaries are mainly under 26 years old65.
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Restricted funding: All grants are for restricted use, meaning they must be spent on the specific project or purpose outlined in the application
Applicants must have at least one year of accounts and a minimum annual income of £100,000. Projects must benefit mainly under-26s across the UK (excluding Luton) and cannot be retrospective, overseas, or support individuals directly.
Charities supporting areas served by Luton Council should refer to the NEW Luton Matters Fund
Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis and the next closing date for applications is the 15th July 2025.