Arsenal Foundation

The Arsenal Foundation, established in 2012 as the charitable arm of Arsenal Football Club, harnesses the club's global reach and local presence in North London to drive positive social change, primarily transforming the lives of young people and disadvantaged communities through the power of football. Its mission emphasizes education, health, inclusion, and opportunity, guided by values of respect, discipline, and humility, with an outcomes-focused approach that integrates club resources, player involvement, and strategic partnerships like Save the Children and Ambitious about Autism to promote mental wellbeing, reduce youth violence, foster employability skills, support disability inclusion, and alleviate poverty.

The Foundation funds targeted interventions such as grassroots football programmes, school-based literacy and numeracy initiatives, mentoring, leadership projects, inclusive sports, and community facility regeneration, prioritizing beneficiaries in Islington, Camden, and Hackney while extending to national and international efforts via partners. It supports structured projects addressing social exclusion, building confidence, resilience, and belonging among at-risk youth.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, with a preference for small-to-medium grassroots organizations deeply embedded in local communities; no strict income limits apply, but alignment with youth, sport, and social inclusion is essential. Funding is invite-only—no unsolicited applications—with rolling decisions and no fixed deadlines; charities are approached via relationships or referrals. Typical grants range from £5,000 to £30,000 annually for projects, occasionally up to £100,000 for strategic partners, focusing on project-specific outcomes rather than unrestricted or emergency aid. What distinguishes it is its unique fusion of Arsenal's brand, facilities, and supporter base to amplify football-led impact in neighbourhood and global contexts.