Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Youth Fund

Objectives of Fund

The Youth Fund’s purpose is to support organisations to:

• Sustain, grow or prepare to grow the organisation’s impact.
• Improve, consolidate and spread practices which empower young people to shape their lives and lead change (sometimes called asset-based approaches).
• Support and champion people with lived experience in the leadership and operational delivery of this work, particularly people who are most affected by systemic oppression and or discrimination.

Value Notes

Grants of up to £150,000 spread over three years with a maximum of £50,000 per year.

PHF expects to make around 25 awards per year.

Who Can Apply

Applications are accepted from organisations that:

• Are not-for-profit.
• Work primarily to support young people aged 14-25.
• Work in the UK.
• Work at either local, regional or national levels, or at more than one level.
• Provide direct services and/or second-tier support.
• Have an income between £30,000 and £3.5 million.

Priority will be given to work that takes place outside of London, and work which is committed to anti-racism and applying an intersectional lens to inequity.

Location

UK with priority given to work that takes place outside London.

Restrictions

In addition to the general exclusions which are listed on the PHF website, the following are not eligible for this scheme:

• Newly registered organisations yet to produce independently audited/examined accounts.
• Organisations with an income below £25,000 and above £5 million.
• Work that is considered a statutory responsibility.
• Project-based activity or continuation funding with no scope for impact beyond the organisation’s immediate beneficiaries.

Eligible Expenditure

Core funding for organisations that:

• Seek to sustain, prepare to grow, or grow impact with and for young people.
• Put young people at the centre in terms of power, voice and agency – as part of an asset-based approach, starting with recognising and building on young people’s strengths and potential.
• Aim to achieve wide impact for young people (for example, going beyond direct delivery and focusing on systemic or structural change).
• Are committed to continuous improvement in asset-based approaches to working with and for young people.
• Support young people who are facing complex transitions, challenges and barriers to accessing support and opportunities. Particularly young people who are socially excluded or marginalised; whose experiences can be hidden or less well known; and whose voices are often erased or ignored.

How To Apply

There are no deadlines. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

There is a three-stage application process. Organisations should initially apply by completing the online application form on the Foundation's website. Successful applicants will then be invited for an interview and those who are successful at this stage will be put forward to the Foundation's grants panel for a final decision.

The Foundation aims to reach a final decision on applications within four months of receipt.

Contact the Paul Hamlyn Foundation for further information.