YMCA Central and Anglia Trust Fund

The YMCA Central and Anglia Trust Fund, tied to the historic Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) movement founded in 1844, supports the core purposes of YMCAs in England's Central Region. It advances youth empowerment for ages 9-25, rooted in values of community, inclusivity, Christian-inspired compassion, and leadership development, enabling young people to reach their potential and contribute to society amid evolving social needs.

The fund prioritises project-based grants for local YMCA initiatives, including youth development programmes, education and skills training, health and wellbeing activities, community engagement, leadership events like the Get On Board young trustee scheme, and capacity-building for programme start-ups. It emphasises outcomes in social inclusion, personal growth, and youth voice, often backing collaborative efforts that strengthen YMCA participation and long-term community impact.

Eligible applicants are strictly local YMCA associations—UK-registered charities in the Central Region (typically with incomes under £2 million)—with no support for external third-party organisations. Typical grants range from £1,000 to £10,000, occasionally up to £20,000 for strategic projects; unrestricted core funding is rare. Applications via official form require project details, outcomes for youth, budgets, and other funding sources, submitted at least four weeks before activity start. Deadlines are end of January, June, and September, with trustee meetings shortly after and ad hoc urgent reviews. Distinctively, it rejects unsolicited proposals outside the YMCA network, focusing exclusively on region-specific, ethos-aligned youth empowerment rather than general charity work.