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%
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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
14 of 1506 match your filtersChecked against verified programme data for 442 of 1506 funders. 1064 not yet verified are listed below; 428 that don't fit were excluded.
Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation
Verified openMatching programme: London Luton Airport Operations Ltd (LLAOL) Community Trust Fund
Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation (BLCF), established in 1999 and registered as a charity in 2001 by founders Geoffrey Farr MBE DL, Sir Samu...
Cambridgeshire Community Foundation
Verified openMatching programme: General Funds (applied via the general application form, not fund-specific)
Cambridgeshire Community Foundation (CCF), established in December 2003, is an independent local charity dedicated to enhancing quality of life across...
Cooks Charity
Verified openMatching programme: Main Grant Programme
The Cooks Charity, the philanthropic arm of the Worshipful Company of Cooks—a City of London Livery Company with roots in the 12th century—champions e...
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 ...
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...
Gibbons Family Trust
Verified openMatching programme: Youth Support Grants
The Gibbons Family Trust advances the education, training, recreation, welfare, and wellbeing of children and young people up to age 25 facing disadva...
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...
Richmond Foundation
Verified openMatching programme: Partnership Funding
Richmond Foundation, an independent charitable foundation established in 1786 from a royal land donation by King George III and Queen Charlotte, rebra...
Shanly Foundation
Verified openMatching programme: General Applications Fund
The Shanly Foundation, established in 1994 by property developer Michael Shanly as the charitable arm of the Shanly Group, drives practical, hands-on ...
St Giles-in-the-Fields and William Shelton Educational Charity
Verified openMatching programme: Small 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...
Suffolk Community Foundation
Verified openMatching programme: Central Fund
Suffolk Community Foundation, established in 2005 as one of the UK's 47 community foundations and the largest independent grant-maker to Suffolk's vol...
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...
Walton on Thames Charity
Verified openMatching programme: Community Grants – Small Grants (up to £10,000)
Walton on Thames Charity, known as Walton Charity, is an ancient local foundation with over 800 years of history rooted in the parish of Walton-on-Tha...
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...
1064 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.
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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.
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Our AI ranks all 1506 children & young people funders by how well they fit your specific work.
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Which of These 1506 Funders Are Right for You?
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