Children & Young People Grants & Funding
There are 1506 UK funders offering grants for children & young people charities, with typical awards from £100 to £6,000,000.
The UK has a strong tradition of philanthropic support for children and young people, with hundreds of trusts and foundations dedicated to improving outcomes for under-25s. Funding priorities range from early years education and child poverty relief to youth employment programmes and mental health support for teenagers. Many funders in this space prioritise preventative work — early intervention projects that stop problems before they escalate. Others focus on specific demographics such as looked-after children, young carers, or those not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Geographic focus varies widely: some funders operate nationally while others target specific local authority areas or regions with high deprivation indices. Grant sizes span from small awards under £5,000 for grassroots youth clubs to six-figure multi-year grants for established charities running evidence-based programmes. The sector has seen increased funding since 2023, particularly for digital inclusion and youth mental health initiatives.
Quick Stats
- Total Funders
- 1506
- Grant Range
- £100 - £6,000,000
- Open to Applications
- 44%
Narrow your search
Clear filtersFilters use programme details verified from each funder's own published guidance. Funders we haven't verified yet are listed separately below, never hidden.
Children & Young People Funders
21 of 1506 match your filtersChecked against verified programme data for 376 of 1506 funders. 1130 not yet verified are listed below; 355 that don't fit were excluded.
Barbara Ward Children's Foundation
Verified openMatching programme: Barbara Ward Children's Foundation Grants
The Barbara Ward Children's Foundation, established in December 2001 by Barbara Irene Ward, is a UK-registered grant-making charity dedicated to trans...
Duke of Devonshire's Charitable Trust
Verified openMatching programme: Duke of Devonshire's Charitable Trust
The Duke of Devonshire's Charitable Trust is a family-led foundation embodying stewardship, heritage responsibility, and community flourishing through...
Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity
Verified openMatching programme: Capital/Medical Grants
Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity, founded in the late 1960s as a supporters' group for Edinburgh's Sick Kids hospital and formally registered in ...
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Verified openMatching programme: Grants
The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, established in 1961 by Ian Fairbairn in memory of his wife, is one of the UK's largest independent funders, dedicated ...
Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston Community Company
Verified openMatching programme: Apprenticeship Scheme
Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston Community Company, established in 2007 by the local Community Council in the Scottish Highlands, is a community-led organ...
Geoffrey Watling Charity
Verified openMatching programme: General Grant Programme
The Geoffrey Watling Charity embodies entrepreneurial generosity, local pride, and civic friendship, channeling resources to vitalize communities thro...
Henry Smith Charity
Verified openMatching programme: Christian Projects Grant Programme
The Henry Smith Foundation, formerly Henry Smith Charity and one of the UK's oldest independent grant-makers since 1628, channels the legacy of founde...
Hertfordshire Community Foundation
Verified openMatching programme: HCF Foundation Grants
Hertfordshire Community Foundation is an independent charity dedicated to channeling local philanthropy into grassroots solutions that alleviate depri...
James Knott Family Foundation
Verified openMatching programme: Main Grants Programme
The James Knott Family Foundation, known as the Sir James Knott Trust, was established in 1924 by Tyneside shipowner Sir James Knott to honor his sons...
John Lyon's Charity
Verified openMatching programme: Open Programme (Main Grants Fund)
John Lyon's Charity, rooted in a 1572 Royal Charter by Harrow School founder John Lyon, advances educational and social opportunities for children and...
Legal Education Foundation
Verified openMatching programme: Emerging Justice fund
The Legal Education Foundation (LEF), established in 2013 from the sale of the College of Law, is an independent UK grantmaker with roots in 19th-cent...
Lewin Trust
Verified openMatching programme: The Lewin Trust Grant Programme
The Lewin Trust, an independent grant-making charity established in 2021 and registered with the Charity Commission in 2022 (no. 1197855), channels ph...
P H Holt Foundation
Verified openMatching programme: Main Grant Programme
The P H Holt Foundation is a legacy-driven grantmaker rooted in over a century of philanthropy aimed at improving everyday life for Merseyside residen...
Robertson Trust
Verified openMatching programme: Small Grants
The Robertson Trust, Scotland's largest independent grant-making trust, was founded in 1961 by sisters Elspeth, Agnes, and Ethel Robertson, who donate...
Salford Community & Voluntary Services
Verified openMatching programme: Salford Centenary Fund – Large Grants
Salford Community & Voluntary Services (Salford CVS), established in 1919 as part of post-WWI social service efforts and independent since 1973, serve...
Sir Halley Stewart Trust
Verified openMatching programme: Main Grants and Small Grants
The Sir Halley Stewart Trust, founded in 1924 by Non-Conformist Christian minister, MP, and philanthropist Sir Halley Stewart, is a family-led foundat...
St Giles-in-the-Fields and William Shelton Educational Charity
Verified openMatching programme: Community Investment Grant
St Giles-in-the-Fields and William Shelton Educational Charity is a historic independent grant-maker with 17th- and 18th-century roots from philanthro...
Trades House of Glasgow
Verified openMatching programme: The Incorporation of Bonnetmakers and Dyers of Glasgow Training & Education Charity Funding
The Trades House of Glasgow, established in 1605 as a historic charitable institution rooted in the city's craft guilds, protects and supports Glasgow...
Trusthouse Charitable Foundation
Verified openMatching programme: Major Grants
Forte Charitable Foundation (formerly Trusthouse Charitable Foundation), established in 1997 from the sale of Trust House Forte plc, is an independent...
UnLtd
Verified openMatching programme: Scaling Up Award
UnLtd, formerly The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs, is a UK-registered charity established in 2002 by a consortium of seven non-profits with a £1...
Wixamtree Trust
Verified openMatching programme: Main Grant Programme
The Wixamtree Trust, an independent grant-making charity established in 1962 by Sir Humphrey Whitbread, focuses on enhancing the wellbeing and develop...
1130 funders not yet verified against these filters
We haven't confirmed these funders' programme details yet, so they may or may not fit. Showing the first 10.
Tips for Applying to Children & Young People Funders
When applying for youth-focused grants, demonstrate robust safeguarding policies and evidence that all staff and volunteers hold current DBS checks. Funders expect to see that young people have a genuine voice in project design and delivery — describe how you involve youth in decision-making through advisory panels, co-production workshops, or peer-led activities. Present measurable outcomes tied to recognised frameworks: NEET reduction figures, educational attainment improvements, wellbeing score changes, or progression into employment and training. Make your delivery model age-appropriate, showing that activities and communication methods are tailored to the specific age range you serve rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. Include clear transition planning that explains what happens when participants age out of your programme — how you ensure lasting impact and connect young people to ongoing support. If your work targets specific vulnerable groups such as looked-after children or young carers, reference the evidence base for your approach and any partnerships with statutory services. Strong applications in this space balance ambitious vision with practical, evidence-informed delivery.
Browse Children & Young People Grants by Region
Find children & young people funders in your area
Explore Other Causes
Frequently Asked Questions about Children & Young People Grants
What grants are available for children & young people charities in the UK?
There are 1506+ UK funders offering grants for children & young people charities. These range from small community grants under £5,000 to large multi-year funding programmes exceeding £100,000. Use Fundermatcher to find the best match for your organisation.
How much funding can children & young people organisations get?
Grant amounts for children & young people charities vary widely depending on the funder and project. Typical grants range from £1,000 to over £100,000. Many funders offer multi-year funding for established organisations with a strong track record.
How do I apply for children & young people grants?
Start by identifying funders whose priorities align with your children & young people work. Fundermatcher matches your charity's profile against 1506+ funders to find the best fit. Our AI assistant can then help you draft compelling grant applications.
How to Find the Right Children & Young People Funders
Describe Your Charity
Tell us what your charity does, who you help, and where you work. Takes 30 seconds.
Get Matched Instantly
Our AI ranks all 1506 children & young people funders by how well they fit your specific work.
Write Winning Applications
Our AI assistant helps you draft and refine grant applications tailored to each funder.
Which of These 1506 Funders Are Right for You?
Browsing 1506 funders manually takes hours. Describe your charity once and get your top matches ranked by compatibility — in seconds.
- Personalised match scores
- Eligibility checks
- AI grant writer