Young Ealing Foundation

Young Ealing Foundation, an independent UK-registered charity established in 2017, serves as a vital hub for grassroots youth organisations in the London Borough of Ealing, with a mission to empower children and young people aged 0–25 to lead happy, safe, and fulfilled lives amid challenges like poverty and disadvantage. Founded to connect, equip, and strengthen small local charities, supporters, and decision-makers, it emphasises core values of independence, impartiality, trust, bravery, and genuine partnership, promoting non-competitive collaboration, youth voice amplification via programmes like Ealing Young Champions, and rapid responses to crises through capacity building and systemic change.

It exclusively funds youth-focused projects benefiting Ealing's disadvantaged young people, prioritising mental health interventions, poverty alleviation (e.g., food hubs), youth violence prevention, social exclusion, SEND support, safeguarding, diversionary activities, social action campaigns, and organisational sustainability. Grants support diverse activities like youth clubs, mental health schemes, and joint neighbourhood initiatives in areas such as Southall and Northolt, having distributed £369,596 across 68 grants to aid over 2,500 young people.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities that are YEF members, based in Ealing or directly serving its youth, with robust safeguarding and governance; small grassroots groups are preferred, excluding those recently funded by John Lyon's Charity or national/non-local entities. Applications via email with forms and budgets are accepted only in rounds, with the next Small Grants deadline on 21 April 2025 (decisions in May); typical grants range £2,000–£10,000, with ad hoc trustee meetings. Distinctively, YEF rejects unsolicited proposals, mandates membership, and stands out for its deep local integration, youth-led advocacy, and blend of immediate relief with long-term infrastructure strengthening.