Virgin Money Foundation

The Virgin Money Foundation, an independent UK registered charity established in 2015 by Virgin Money, drives sustainable regeneration in socially and economically deprived communities, with a sharpened focus on combating digital poverty and fostering digital inclusion. Governed by an independent board with transparent policies, it empowers neighbourhood-level organisations in the UK's top 20% most deprived areas—prioritising the North East of England and Glasgow—to lead local solutions, building digital skills, confidence, and access for vulnerable groups like low-income families and young people. Its values emphasise community leadership, local knowledge, capacity-building, and long-term impact over top-down interventions, having distributed over £17 million in grants since inception.

It funds multi-year projects tackling digital exclusion, such as skills training, device access, and financial resilience initiatives, often including core costs; historical support has extended to homelessness, racial equity, and social justice. Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, CICs, or community groups embedded in target geographies with proven local track records—predominantly grassroots or medium-sized "community anchors" addressing digital needs, without religious restrictions or strict income thresholds.

Grants typically range from £5,000 to £100,000 over three years (simplified for under £5,000), awarded via invitation-only processes for its Building Digital Skills Fund and similar programmes; unsolicited applications are not accepted. The grants committee meets biannually, with proactive invitations, desk assessments, site visits, and case-by-case timelines. Distinctives include 360Giving data transparency, participatory assessments, and aversion to unrestricted, capital-only, or non-local funding, setting it apart for digitally focused, place-based poverty alleviation.