Funding news: Supporting disadvantaged young people

What size grants do they give?

Over a typical year, the Allen Lane Foundation makes around 130-150 grants, to a total value of between £720,000 and £800,000. The total amount they offer is upto £15,000. This can be over three years, two years, or a single grant. The average grant size is £5,000-£6,000.

When are applications considered?

Trustees meet to discuss grant applications three times a year, generally in February, June and October. The next meeting will take place in October 2024. Applications are now open.

Who is eligible for a grant?

Grants are awarded across the UK. The only exception is that they do not fund work within Greater London. Organisations which have their offices in London are eligible to apply, provided that beneficiaries are outside of London as well as in London.

The Foundation funds small organisations working across local areas such as a village, estate or town, and must have an income of less than £100,000. At the other end of the spectrum, if you work across the whole of the UK you will need to have an income of less than £250,000.

What do they fund?

The Foundation aims to focus on those children who are considered persistently absent from school, those leaving school with no qualifications, and children and young people in/leaving care.

The grants awarded support work to help young people who are experiencing or may have already suffered significant issues within their lives and who may ‘fall through the cracks’ without targeted support. The priority is on those aged 12-21 who are vulnerable, socially excluded or marginalised; whose experiences can be hidden or less well known; and whose voices are often erased or ignored.

This may, for example, include proactive youth clubs, activities for disaffected young people, or employment opportunities or experience which help young people to find structure.  Also organisations that focus their work on: young people within the criminal justice system or those at risk of offending; looked after children or care leavers; those with significant mental health concerns or complex needs; young people who have been traumatised by challenging family backgrounds, neglect, violence or abuse; those that have fallen through the gaps in care and/or education; those already affected by, or vulnerable to, exploitation; or whose experiences could seriously impact their transition into adulthood.

How to apply?

Applications are made online. To access the online application, the Foundation asks that an eligibility questionnaire is completed first.