Charles Hayward Foundation

Objectives of Fund

The Foundation supports charitable activities under a number of grant categories which are as follows:

• Social and Criminal Justice (Main grant).
• Overseas (Main grant).
• Older People (Small grant).

For the current round of funding, the Heritage & Conservation programme is closed.

Value Notes

The Foundation offers the following:

• Small Grants up to £7,000.
• Main Grants:
  • Social & Criminal Justice: between £15,000 to £25,000 per annum for one to three years. Up to £25,000 may be available for a pilot project.
  • Overseas: one-off grants up to £15,000.

Match Funding Restrictions

Applicants must state what other sources of funding have been sought and secured.

Who Can Apply

UK registered charities or exempt charities can apply for either a main or small grants programme depending on their annual income:

• Charities with an income between £350,000 and £4 million may apply to the Main Grant programme: Social & Criminal Justice.
• Charities with an annual income between £150,000 and £4 million may apply for a Main Overseas Grant.
• Charities with an income of less than £350,000 may apply to the Small Grants Programme (Older People category).

UK registered charities who deliver projects in Commonwealth Countries of Africa may apply for the Main Overseas Grant.

Location

United Kingdom

Restrictions

Funding is not available for the following:

• General appeals.
• Running costs.
• Core costs.
• Individuals.
• Grant making charities.
• Loan and deficits.
• Endowments.
• Retrospective applications.

Each grants programme has specific exclusions:

Social and Criminal Justice

• Policy and research.
• Uniformed organisations.
• Short-term interventions.
• Trips and youth volunteering.
• Generic youth programmes.
• Capital projects.

Overseas

• Overseas disability awareness.
• Disaster appeals.
• Education.
• Gap years, electives, project visits overseas.

Older People

• Purchase of minibuses.
• Disability access.
• Older people’s projects that are restricted to one section of society.
• Community transport.
• Community development organisations.
• Community buildings and equipment.

Eligible Expenditure

Funding is available for project costs and capital expenditure.

The Foundation values projects that develop, expand and replicate a tried and tested approach as well as supporting creative solutions to problems which seem to be entrenched and elude resolution. Projects that are preventative and provide early intervention are valued and priority is given to projects that respond to a well researched and clear need, provide intervention based on evidence of what works, are able to demonstrate value for money and have a clear understanding of short-term effects and long-term impact of the intervention they propose.

To be eligible for a Main Grant, projects must address at least one of the following categories:

1. Social and Criminal Justice - The overall aim of funding in this area is to prevent people entering the criminal justice system and to support those already in the system to move on and rebuild their lives. Support is available for the following:

• Targeted early intervention programmes aimed at reaching the most troubled and vulnerable families in a community.
• Preventative and diversionary projects for young people at risk of offending including tailored interventions identifying and addressing the particular needs of girls and young women.
• Programmes, particularly those with a focus on young offenders, combining prison based and community interventions dealing with rehabilitation of offenders, accommodation and support on release, helping with maintaining family relationships, mentoring, and mapping and creating pathways to employment.
• Schemes offering viable alternatives to custody, in particularly for women and young people.
• Programmes of support directed towards rehabilitating the victims of domestic abuse and criminal exploitation.

2. Overseas - projects that improve the livelihoods of disadvantaged communities in Commonwealth Countries of Africa such as:

• Clean water and sanitation.
• Development of sustainable livelihoods in the context of environmental and wildlife conservation
• Self sustainability through training in farming skills and income generation activities.

Small grants will be made to Older People’s projects that are preventative and early intervention programmes delivered locally that allow older people to stay in their own homes and remain independent.

The Foundation is particularly interested in seeking out programmes which show some creativity in improving the quality of life of older people. The Foundation will focus on:

• Programmes aiming to alleviate isolation and depression in older people, including informal day care or social, physical and recreational activities.
• Programmes which mainly use volunteers to give practical help, assistance and support for older people living in their own homes.
• Programmes addressing the emotional and practical needs of older carers.
• Programmes designed to meet the specific needs of people with dementia.

How To Apply

The Heritage & Conservation programme is currently closed and new applications for projects in this programme area are not accepted.

The Small Grant Programme is open and applications are accepted any time (for projects for Older People). An application form is available to download online.

Submission to the Main Grants programme is a two stage process as follows:

• Stage 1: A Grant Committee meets on a quarterly basis. The Committee’s role is to forward applications to stage 2.
• Stage 2: Applications recommended by the Grant Committee are considered at one of the Trustees’ meetings which take place on a quarterly basis and are usually held in: January; April; July; and November.

The 2025 deadlines for Stage 1 Main Grants are:

• 31 January for consideration in March
• 23 May for consideration in July
• 19 September for consideration in November

For the Main Grants Programme, there is no application form. Applicants should read the guidelines before starting the application process. The proposal should be no more than four A4 pages in length and submitted by email to grants@charleshaywardfoundation.org.uk and include:

• Name and location of organisation.
• Contact details.
• Description of organisation.
• Description of project.
• Project aims.
• Project cost.
• Funds already raised and pledged.
• Outstanding shortfall.
• Project timetable.
• Most recent set of audited accounts.

Contact The Charles Hayward Foundation for further information.