Fusion21 Foundation

The Foundation funds initiatives addressing social and economic exclusion, focusing on mental and physical health, youth employability, food poverty, training access, and housing-related challenges. It supports 'test and learn' pilots, research that informs policy, and capacity-building projects. Work often involves collaboration with housing associations on community investment and social innovation. Geographically, the Foundation supports areas across the UK, including Manchester and London, with an emphasis on measurable wellbeing gains, financial stability, and systemic change for social housing residents, young people, those in hardship, and at-risk groups.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, CICs, social enterprises, and community groups. The Foundation particularly welcomes organisations with experience in social housing, health, or employability, and prefers medium-to-large entities, though small grassroots groups often participate as part of consortiums. Benificiaries of funded work include social housing residents, young people, those in hardship, and at-risk groups. The Foundation builds relationships directly with voluntary and community sector organisations rather than running open calls.

The Foundation does not fund core or unrestricted costs and excludes initiatives that duplicate existing services or provision. It also does not accept unsolicited applications, as funding is by invitation only, and does not support activities outside its thematic focus areas of health, employment, skills, financial inclusion, and resilience.

The Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, proactively building relationships with eligible organisations. It funds projet costs, pilots, capacity building, and co-funding arrangements, often in collaboration with housing associations. Its approach is flexible and trust-based, aligned with the principles of IVAR's Open and Trusting initiative.