Funding to Reduce the Likelihood of Children Becoming Involved in Crime (England & Wales)
The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) has launched an open call for organisations across England and Wales that are working to reduce children’s involvement in crime and violence. The aim is to fund and evaluate projects that support 10 to 18-year-olds at risk of or affected by violence, offending or exploitation. Projects must align with one of the following sectors: youth services, children’s services, youth justice, policing, neighbourhoods, health, or education. The fund will support well-established projects that can scale and generate new insights in areas with existing evidence gaps. Proposals are invited from registered charities, companies, statutory bodies, and CICs. Partnerships between organisations and YEF evaluators are also encouraged. Applications can be made at any time.
Funding to Enable Disadvantaged Young People Reach their Potential (UK)
Registered charities (including Schools registered as charities for young people with disabilities) that work with disadvantaged children under 25 can apply for funding of up to £10,000. Of particular interest are projects that provide opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people to fulfil their potential and educational activities that develop learning, motivation and skills. Projects could, for example, support special educational needs, address behavioural problems, promote citizenship, parenting, or life skills. Preference will be given to projects piloting new approaches to disseminate the outcomes to a wider audience. The funding is being made available through the Ironmongers Company's grants programme. The next closing date for applications is the The next deadline for applications is the 15th December 2024.
Dormant Assets Scheme to Allocate £350 Million (England)
The UK's Dormant Assets Scheme is set to distribute £350 million across four key areas in England from 2024 to 2028. This funding, sourced from unclaimed financial assets like inactive bank accounts, will be equally divided, providing £87.5 million each to initiatives focused on youth services, financial inclusion, social investment wholesalers, and community wealth funds. This is designed to address social and environmental challenges, enhancing facilities for the youth, improving financial management skills, boosting social enterprise investments, and empowering local communities to direct funds towards critical local projects. The management and allocation of these funds are handled by Reclaim Fund Ltd, which ensures adequate reserves for reclaiming while distributing surplus funds through The National Lottery Community Fund to various initiatives
Funding to Support Disabled & Disadvantaged Children (UK)
Grants of up to £5,000 are available to registered charities to fund equipment and services to support disabled and disadvantaged children under 13 across the UK. The Toy Trust fund helps disadvantaged children and their families to alleviate suffering; support children through awful experiences; encourage achievement through adversity; purchase vital equipment; provide care; bolster existing initiatives; initiate brand new projects; and satisfy basic needs. Groups that have carried out some form of effective fundraising by themselves are particularly encouraged to apply. The next deadline to apply is mid-February 2025 for the March meeting of Trustees.
Funding to Improve the Lives of Vulnerable Young People (UK)
Grants of up to £2,400 are available to support the needs of vulnerable children and young people who have experienced a recent crisis or change in life that has had a significant impact on their wellbeing and their education. The funding is being made available through Buttle UK's Chances for Children Grants to provide a flexible range of support, such as items and activities to support learning and development (laptops, books, wi-fi, educational toys, tuition, etc); clothing and school uniforms; social, sporting and leisure activities; and items for children/young people’s bedrooms. Applications will only be accepted from frontline professionals working for a registered charity, housing association or public sector organisation including schools and colleges. Applications can be made at any time.
Government Launches National Youth Strategy (England)
The UK government has announced a National Youth Strategy aimed at improving opportunities for young people across the country, inviting them to participate in a national conversation to collaboratively shape the initiative and ensure opportunities are available in every community. The strategy will prioritise better-coordinated youth services and policies at local, regional, and national levels, with a total funding allocation of £185 million, which includes £85 million to address the urgent need for more youth facilities and £100 million from the Dormant Assets Scheme. This funding will also provide £26 million for youth clubs to purchase new equipment and make essential renovations through the Better Youth Spaces programme, as well as launch a Local Youth Transformation pilot to assist councils in rebuilding youth services.
Funding to Tackle Hunger Amongst Young People (UK)
Schools and other not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to £1,500 for projects and activities that help children across the UK have a stronger start in life. Priority is given to initiatives that provide food and support to young people. These grants assist schools and organisations in offering nutritious food, healthy activities that promote physical and mental wellbeing—such as breakfast clubs or snacks—and equipment for healthy pursuits. Every three months, three local good causes or projects are selected for the blue token customer vote in Tesco stores throughout the UK, with grants awarded based on the number of votes each project receives. The funding is being made available through the Tesco Stronger Starts Programme, which is managed by Groundwork across the UK and is working with greenspace scotland to support applicants in Scotland. Applications can be made at any time.
Funding to Support Disadvantaged Young People and Offenders (UK)
Registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, and in exceptional circumstances Community Interest Companies can apply for grants for projects that support offenders and ex-offenders as well as into work and helping specific less popular groups within the criminal justice sector. The funding is being made available through the Weavers' Company who are looking specifically to support projects helping offenders find work as well as projects that support marginalised groups. A secondary priority is given to projects aiding disadvantaged young people, including immigrants, in realising their potential and engaging in society. The Weavers' Company has two funding streams: a Small Grants Programme offering up to £5,000, and a Main Grants Programme with no maximum limit. Funding covers both project and core costs. Applicants must demonstrate efforts to secure other funding and future sustainability. The next application deadline is the 13th March 2025.