Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Youth Fund

Background

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s (PHF's) mission is to “help people overcome disadvantage and lack of opportunity, so that they can realise their potential and enjoy fulfilling and creative lives”. The Foundation places particular focus on supporting both young people and the arts.

One of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK, PHF’s current focus is on arts, education and learning, migration and young people.

In addition to funds that can be applied for, PHF has ‘invitation-only’ funds. Information for these can be found on the PHF website.

Objectives of Fund

The funding is for:

• Organisations working with young people (14–25 years).
• Targeted work with and for young people who face transitions in their lives which may be challenging or create barriers for example into or out of education, care settings, housing or the secure estate, which might include prisons, bail accommodation, youth detention accommodation and approved premises.
• Work that recognizes young people’s multiple and overlapping identities (for example race, gender, sexual orientation, class, faith, migration status, ability).
  

There is particular interest in applications from organisations led by people most impacted by racism, ableism, classism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, and/​or transphobia.

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 20 awards per year. On average between 10% and 12% of all applicants receive funding.

A pre-application bursary of up to £750 is available to help groups apply.

Who Can Apply

Applications are accepted from organisations that:

• Are not-for-profit, such as charities, community organisations, social enterprises and not-for-profit companies.
• Work primarily: at least 50% of the organisation’s focus is on work with and for 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.

London based organisations can apply but should be aware that the fund is more competitive for them. Priority is likely to be given to those outside London unless they are developing work which is unlikely to be found elsewhere or which will have an influence or impact beyond London.

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.
• Work that is considered a statutory responsibility.
• Project-based activity or work with no scope for impact beyond the organisation’s immediate beneficiaries.
• Service delivery that does not have a specific focus on wider change.
• Research that does not demonstrate a direct link between findings and taking action towards change.
• Work that is focused on young people receiving hospice or end of life care.
• Work delivered by YMCAs unless it seeks to secure significant wider changes in housing provision and entitlements for young people.
• Work that is focused exclusively on pathways to employment for young people or on pathways to further or higher education, often described as improving young people’s social mobility.

Eligible Expenditure

PHF wants to fund organisations who work with young people (aged 14 – 25 years) to drive change so that future generations of young people can thrive.

The funding is for work that does the following:

• Works in an asset-based way (full explanation on the PHF website).
• Addresses root causes.
• Influences practice.
• Shapes policy.
• Improves systems.
• Influences attitudes or narratives.
• Shapes external context.

The fund is designed to be a strategic investment in the applicant organisation and will support core operating costs (salaries, organisation and delivery costs) to grow the impact of what they already do.

This funding is not for new or untested approaches, projects or finite pieces of work.

How To Apply

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

There is a two-step 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 to six months of receipt.

Contact the Paul Hamlyn Foundation for further information.