Clarion Futures

Clarion Futures is the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group, the UK's largest housing association, established as the successor to William Sutton's 1900 social housing legacy. Its core mission is to build capacity and skills among socially and economically disadvantaged communities, alleviate poverty and hardship, and foster social inclusion, enabling fuller participation in society. Governed by a dedicated board chaired by Lord Barwell and rooted in values of social justice, opportunity, and empowerment, it uniquely integrates with the UK's biggest social landlord to deliver place-based impact, distributing £16.5m in 2023-24 and generating hundreds of millions in social value through evidence-based, holistic interventions.

It prioritises employability (training, apprenticeships), digital inclusion (skills and innovative projects), financial guidance (budgeting, energy advice), and community investments (youth initiatives, green projects, arts, cohesion activities tackling isolation). Funding targets Clarion residents, young people, those furthest from the labour market, minoritised/marginalised groups, and digitally/financially excluded individuals in high-deprivation neighbourhoods, supporting practical capacity-building via partnerships with employers like the NHS and local groups.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, CICs, constituted community groups, and social enterprises with annual income under £500,000 (exceptions for Clarion Community Assets), operating in England—prioritised where Clarion has housing. Grants typically range £1,000–£5,000 for projects benefiting these communities. Unsolicited applications go via the Flexi-Grant online portal, requiring governing documents, accounts, safeguarding policies, insurance, and committee details; next deadlines include Digital Grants Round 18 on 12 Feb 2025 and Making a Difference Fund opening 21 May 2025. Exclusions cover political/religious activities, retrospectives, core costs, emergencies, and capital; distinctive for its scale, resident focus, and measurable outcomes in social mobility.