Young Harrow Foundation

Young Harrow Foundation, established in 2015 by Dan Burke, is a membership-based grant-giving charity dedicated to strengthening high-quality support services for children and young people in London's Harrow Borough. Its mission focuses on making local youth happier, healthier, safer, and full of opportunity by tackling sector fragmentation, under-resourcing, and promoting resilience, collaboration, and effectiveness among voluntary organisations. Guided by values of partnership, youth empowerment, innovation, transparency, and inclusivity, it combines grantmaking with capacity building, bid-writing support, safeguarding resources, networking, and youth-led 'Change Champions' initiatives, acting as a trusted local intermediary bridging funders, councils, and grassroots groups.

It prioritises member organisations delivering programmes addressing mental health and wellbeing, educational attainment, SEND, youth employability, crime prevention, family support, play, and recreation—especially for disadvantaged or unmet needs. Funding supports core costs, pilot projects, development work, and collaborative innovations, with evidence-led priorities drawn from youth needs analyses.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities or social enterprises that are free members serving Harrow's children, young people, and families; preference goes to grassroots groups with incomes under £1m, strictly operating in Harrow—no national or non-local entities. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; members apply via online forms during periodic rounds (3-6 weeks, decisions in 6-10 weeks), publicised on the website quarterly.

Typical grants range £5,000-£50,000 (averaging £10,000-£25,000), occasionally higher for collaborations. YHF stands out for its place-based, member-centric model excluding non-members, non-Harrow work, or capital projects; it uniquely invests in sector infrastructure and youth voice to unlock sustainable investment and outcomes for vulnerable Harrow youth.