Millennium Awards Trust

The Millennium Awards Trust, established in 2002 with an endowment from the UK government's Millennium Commission and National Lottery, catalyses positive social change by empowering social entrepreneurs across the UK. Delivered through UnLtd, its mission focuses on relieving poverty, advancing education and training, and promoting community-benefiting charitable purposes, rooted in values of social innovation, inclusion, equity, and empowerment. It prioritises applicants from marginalised backgrounds, such as disabled individuals or those from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities, providing holistic support to foster sustainable ventures addressing diverse social challenges like mental health, youth empowerment, employment access, financial inclusion, disability innovation, and community cohesion.

The Trust funds early-stage social ventures—from pre-startups to those trading up to four years—supporting individuals aged 16+ leading community groups, social enterprises, or UK-registered charities based anywhere in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland). It backs venture development costs, founder living expenses, capacity building, and skills training, complemented by bespoke non-financial aid including one-to-one coaching, legal consultancy, pro-bono mentoring, peer workshops, and networks. There are no organisational income thresholds, making it accessible for new and emerging entities committed to social impact and financial sustainability.

Grants typically range from £500 to £18,000 (£8,000 max for unincorporated or <1-year ventures; £18,000 for 1-4 years), awarded via a three-stage online application process: form submission, panel interviews with peer entrepreneurs, and trustee committee review. Unsolicited applications open in rounds—next from 6 January 2026 until 650 received—with decisions by late June 2026. It excludes capital-only projects, large-scale charity operations, or ventures over four years old, standing out for its intensive, mission-aligned support ecosystem, peer-led assessments, and focus on scalable, equity-driven social leadership.