Outset Foundation

Could Outset Foundation be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Typical grants: £5,000 – £25,000
Applications: Not accepted

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

Check fit free · no card

About Outset Foundation

The Outset Foundation is an independent UK charity established in 2014. It promotes self-employment and skills development, enabling individuals from underprivileged and socially excluded backgrounds to overcome employment barriers through entrepreneurship and micro-enterprise. Guided by values of empowerment, social mobility, economic inclusion, and local engagement, the Foundation funds targeted projects that foster entrepreneurial training and micro or small business growth in deprived areas across England and Wales. It operates as a specialist catalyst for microenterprise-driven social change, prioritising commissioned innovations over open calls. The Foundation supports sustainable job creation and economic resilience, focusing on enterprise as a route out of poverty.

What Outset Foundation funds

The Foundation funds projects that promote entrepreneurial training, self-employment, and the growth of micro and small businesses. It supports direct services, advocacy, capacity building, and limited infrastructure for marginalised communities. Work must take place in deprived areas across England and Wales. The Foundation prioritises initiatives that foster sustainable job creation and economic resilience, particularly those that enable individuals facing economic hardship, disabilities, or ethnic disadvantages to start and sustain their own enterprises. It also supports skills development and enterprise support programmes that help people overcome employment barriers.

Who can apply

The Outset Foundation funds UK-registered charities, community groups, and occasionally individuals. It prioritises grassroots and small-to-medium organisations with strong local roots in deprived communities. There are no strict income thresholds, making it accessible to smaller groups. The Foundation focuses on beneficiaries who are underprivileged or socially excluded, including those facing economic hardship, disabilities, or ethnic disadvantages. Organisations should have a local reach and a focus on enterprise or skills development.

What Outset Foundation doesn't fund

The Outset Foundation does not fund unrestricted grants or emergency aid. It also does not accept unsolicited applications, meaning organisations cannot apply directly; funding is by invitation only. It does not support projects that are not focused on enterprise or skills development for disadvantaged groups.

How they like to fund

The Foundation works by invitation only, commissioning projects directly rather than accepting unsolicited applications. It offers both one-off and multi-year grants, with larger multi-year awards for strategic partnerships. It supports project costs, capacity building, and limited infrastructure, but not unrestricted funding or emergency aid.

How much does Outset Foundation give?

£5,000 – £25,000

Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

EducationPoverty & hardship

How to apply to Outset Foundation

Outset Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.

A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.

What you can do here

1
Check fit. See if your project aligns with Outset Foundation.
2
Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
3
Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.

See if Outset Foundation could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Outset Foundation provide?

Outset Foundation typically provides grants of £5,000 - £25,000.

Where does Outset Foundation fund charities?

Outset Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Outset Foundation accept unsolicited applications?

Outset Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Outset Foundation?

Outset Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.