Children & Young People1506+ Funders

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%

Children & Young People Funders

55 of 1506 match your filters

Checked against verified programme data for 366 of 1506 funders. 1140 not yet verified are listed below; 311 that don't fit were excluded.

Arete Foundation

Verified open

Matching programme: Local Community Grants

The Arete Foundation is a UK-registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (charity number 1184657) dedicated to promoting social inclusion and empo...

Grant Range
£5,000 - £25,000

Barbara Ward Children's Foundation

Verified open

Matching 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...

Grant Range
£1,000 - £15,000

Cambridgeshire Community Foundation

Verified open

Matching 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...

Grant Range
£1,500 - £10,000

Carlile Foundation Charitable Trust

Verified open

Matching programme: Carlile Foundation Charitable Trust (via Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway)

The Carlile Foundation Charitable Trust advances general charitable purposes through inclusive, flexible grantmaking aligned with UK charity law, embo...

Grant Range
£1,000 - £10,000

Chalk Cliff Trust

Verified open

Matching programme: Chalk Cliff Trust – Main Grant Programme

Chalk Cliff Trust is a family-led charitable foundation with a mission to advance grassroots charitable activity benefiting local communities through ...

Grant Range
£3,000 - £5,000

Charles Littlewood Hill Trust

Verified open

Matching programme: Charles Littlewood Hill Trust Grant Programme

The Charles Littlewood Hill Trust, established in 1978 by Charles Littlewood Hill, pursues a mission of advancing diverse charitable purposes through ...

Grant Range
£2,000 - £10,000

Children's Aid Committee Charitable Fund

Verified open

Matching programme: CAC Grant Programme

The Children's Aid Committee Charitable Fund, established in 1955 as a charitable trust, supports effective youth provision for Jewish children and yo...

Grant Range
£1,000 - £5,000

Cole Charitable Trust

Verified open

Matching programme: Cole Charitable Trust grants

The Cole Charitable Trust is an independent grant-making trust dedicated to fostering positive change in local communities through support for small g...

Grant Range
£1,000 - £2,000

Community Foundation North East

Verified open

Matching programme: General Application

Community Foundation North East, established in 1988 by local business and civic leaders in North East England, serves as the UK's largest community f...

Grant Range
Up to £25,000

Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside

Verified open

Matching programme: 23 Foundation

Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside (CFLM), established in 1997 as Sefton Community Foundation and evolving into its current form, is ...

Grant Range
£250 - £30,000

Connolly Foundation (UK) Limited

Verified open

Matching programme: Young people

The Connolly Foundation (UK) Limited, established in 2004 as the Kathleen and Michael Connolly Foundation and renamed in 2020, is a Bedfordshire-based...

Grant Range
£5,000 - £50,000

Cumbria Community Foundation

Verified open

Matching programme: Cumbria Community Foundation Grants

Cumbria Community Foundation, established in 1999, is an independent UK community foundation dedicated to tackling poverty, enhancing quality of life,...

Grant Range
£1,000 - £10,000

Duke of Devonshire's Charitable Trust

Verified open

Matching 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...

Grant Range
£250 - £10,000

Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity

Verified open

Matching 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 ...

Grant Range
£2,000 - £20,000

Elizabeth Rathbone Charity

Verified open

Matching programme: Elizabeth L Rathbone Charitable Trust Grants

The Elizabeth Rathbone Charity, a family-stewarded grantmaker rooted in Merseyside's philanthropic legacy, advances welfare for disadvantaged people t...

Grant Range
£1,000 - £3,000

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

Verified open

Matching 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 ...

Grant Range
From £30,000

Forever Manchester

Verified open

Matching programme: CDL Fund

Forever Manchester is an independent charitable foundation dedicated to empowering grassroots community activity and building resilient neighbourhoods...

Grant Range
£500 - £1,500

Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston Community Company

Verified open

Matching 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...

Grant Range
Up to £25,000

Geoffrey Watling Charity

Verified open

Matching programme: General Grant Programme

The Geoffrey Watling Charity embodies entrepreneurial generosity, local pride, and civic friendship, channeling resources to vitalize communities thro...

Grant Range
£1,000 - £30,000

Henry Smith Charity

Verified open

Matching 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...

Grant Range
£500 - £250,000

Hertfordshire Community Foundation

Verified open

Matching programme: HCF Foundation Grants

Hertfordshire Community Foundation is an independent charity dedicated to channeling local philanthropy into grassroots solutions that alleviate depri...

Grant Range
£240 - £10,000

James Knott Family Foundation

Verified open

Matching 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...

Grant Range
£1,000 - £10,000

James Tudor Foundation

Verified open

Matching programme: Mental Health

The James Tudor Foundation is an independent grantmaker dedicated to relieving sickness and advancing health and wellbeing through targeted support fo...

Grant Range
£10,000 - £15,000

John Lyon's Charity

Verified open

Matching 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...

Grant Range
£5,000 - £35,000

John Moores Foundation

Verified open

Matching programme: Grants for Merseyside

The John Moores Foundation, established in Liverpool in 1964 by philanthropist Sir John Moores, is a family-founded independent grant-maker dedicated ...

Grant Range
£2,000 - £10,000

Just4Children

Verified open

Matching programme: Application for Support

Just4Children, a UK and Ireland charitable funder established in November 2015, is dedicated to relieving sickness and preserving the physical and men...

Grant Range
£10,000 - £50,000

Legal Education Foundation

Verified open

Matching 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...

Grant Range
£20,000 - £500,000

Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Community Foundation

Verified open

Matching programme: Making Local Life Better Fund

Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Community Foundation is an independent grantmaker dedicated to strengthening local communities by channeling phi...

Grant Range
£1,000 - £3,000

Lennox Hannay Charitable Trust

Verified open

Matching programme: The Lennox Hannay Charitable Trust

The Lennox Hannay Charitable Trust pursues a mission to advance the public good by flexibly supporting diverse charitable purposes responsive to evolv...

Grant Range
£2,000 - £50,000

Lewin Trust

Verified open

Matching 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...

Grant Range
£10,000 - £50,000

Livewell Foundation

Verified open

Matching programme: Small Grants

The Livewell Foundation, established as the charitable arm of a pioneering social enterprise in health and social care, drives transformational impact...

Grant Range
£500 - £10,000

Matthews Wrightson Charity Trust

Verified open

Matching programme: General Grant Programme

The Matthews Wrightson Charity Trust advances social welfare by empowering smaller charities and individuals delivering direct benefits to disadvantag...

Grant Range
Contact funder

National Funding Scheme

Verified open

Matching programme: DONATE™ Digital Fundraising Platform

The National Funding Scheme is a pioneering UK charity founded to revolutionize charitable fundraising through cutting-edge digital technology, democr...

Grant Range
Contact funder

Naval Children's Charity

Verified open

Matching programme: General Support (Hardship and Wellbeing)

The Naval Children's Charity, founded in 1825 as one of the UK’s oldest children’s charities, originally established orphanages for naval families and...

Grant Range
£300 - £3,000

Noel Sweeney Foundation

Verified open

Matching programme: The Noel Sweeney Foundation Grants

The Noel Sweeney Foundation embodies the legacy of generosity and community commitment, channeling resources into grassroots initiatives uplifting you...

Grant Range
Up to £5,000

P H Holt Foundation

Verified open

Matching programme: Action on Abuse Fund

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...

Grant Range
£3,000 - £10,000

Robertson Trust

Verified open

Matching 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...

Grant Range
£2,000 - £50,000

Rockinghorse Children's Charity

Verified open

Matching programme: Anytime Applications

Rockinghorse Children’s Charity champions equitable access to superior healthcare for sick, disabled children and young people, bridging NHS resource ...

Grant Range
£5,000 - £25,000

Salford Community & Voluntary Services

Verified open

Matching 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...

Grant Range
£1,000 - £5,000

Shanly Foundation

Verified open

Matching 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 ...

Grant Range
£5,000 - £50,000

Sir Graham Wylie Foundation

Verified open

Matching programme: Grants

The Sir Graham Wylie Foundation embodies a personal philanthropic vision to empower underprivileged and vulnerable children and young people through i...

Grant Range
Contact funder

Sir Halley Stewart Trust

Verified open

Matching 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...

Grant Range
£5,001 - £60,000

St Andrew Holborn and Stafford's Charity

Verified open

Matching programme: Organisations grants

St Andrew Holborn and Stafford's Charity is a historic London grantmaker, rooted in 14th-century bequests from wealthy parishioners, dedicated to reli...

Grant Range
£500 - £5,000

St Giles-in-the-Fields and William Shelton Educational Charity

Verified open

Matching 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...

Grant Range
£3,000 - £15,000

Swire Charitable Trust

Verified open

Matching programme: Swire Charitable Trust

The Swire Charitable Trust, established in 1975 by Sir John Swire CBE and Sir Adrian Swire and funded primarily by John Swire & Sons Limited, is an in...

Grant Range
£1,000 - £55,000

Talbot Village Trust

Verified open

Matching programme: Small Grants Programme

Talbot Village Trust, an independent grant-making charity founded in 1850 by Victorian sisters Georgina Charlotte and Mary Anne Talbot, embodies their...

Grant Range
Contact funder

Tom Ap Rhys Pryce Memorial Trust

Verified open

Matching programme: Main Grant Programme

The Tom ap Rhys Pryce Memorial Trust embodies compassion, untapped potential, and resolute action against youth violence, channeling personal tragedy ...

Grant Range
£5,000 - £25,000

Trades House of Glasgow

Verified open

Matching 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...

Grant Range
£1,000 - £10,000

Trusthouse Charitable Foundation

Verified open

Matching programme: Major Grants

Forte Charitable Foundation (formerly Trusthouse Charitable Foundation), established in 1997 from the sale of Trust House Forte plc, is an independent...

Grant Range
£2,000 - £100,000

UnLtd

Verified open

Matching 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...

Grant Range
£500 - £18,000

Showing 50 of 55 matching funders

1140 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.

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

1

Describe Your Charity

Tell us what your charity does, who you help, and where you work. Takes 30 seconds.

2

Get Matched Instantly

Our AI ranks all 1506 children & young people funders by how well they fit your specific work.

3

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