_db33a8.png)
.thumb.png.9594b08ba898a6b0d0fa1576ea2c9574.thumb.png.3097220ace298f0faaab6884cd0ea0f5.png)
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation Youth Fund provides grants of up to £150,000 over three years to support UK nonprofit organisations working with young people aged 14–25.
The fund aims to help organisations address the root causes of inequality, strengthen young people's voices and create lasting improvements in the systems and services affecting their transition into adulthood.
Unlike many project-based grants, the Youth Fund provides funding towards core operating costs, allowing established organisations to strengthen and expand their existing work.
Applications are currently open on a rolling basis, with no fixed deadline.
Here's what you can expect:
Up to £150,000 in grant funding
Funding of £30,000–£50,000 per year
Three years of financial support
Funding for core organisational costs
Support for salaries and operational expenses
Investment in established youth organisations
Opportunities to strengthen existing services and influence wider change
Support for organisations addressing inequality and injustice
Funding for work that centres young people's voices and experiences
What work can be funded?
The Youth Fund supports organisations working to create lasting improvements for young people experiencing systemic inequality.
1. Tackling Inequality and Injustice
Work addressing the underlying causes of barriers faced by young people.
Examples include:
Challenging discrimination
Addressing inequalities in access to services
Supporting young people experiencing exclusion
Improving opportunities for marginalised groups
Tackling structural barriers affecting young people's lives
2. Improving Systems and Services
Initiatives helping organisations and institutions improve how they support young people.
Examples include:
Improving youth support services
Developing more inclusive practices
Training professionals
Influencing service delivery
Strengthening young people's rights and entitlements
3. Youth Voice and Participation
Work ensuring young people have meaningful influence over decisions affecting their lives.
Examples include:
Youth-led decision-making
Advocacy programmes
Youth representation
Developing leadership opportunities
Supporting young people to influence policy and practice
4. Supporting Challenging Transitions
Organisations supporting young people experiencing barriers during important life transitions.
Examples include:
Moving into or out of education
Leaving care
Experiencing housing insecurity
Transitioning from youth justice settings
Navigating complex support systems
5. Influencing Policy and Practice
Work creating improvements beyond an organisation's immediate beneficiaries.
Examples include:
Research linked to practical action
Advocacy for policy changes
Sharing evidence and good practice
Improving professional standards
Influencing institutional decision-making
Who can apply?
The programme is open to established UK nonprofit organisations, including:
Registered charities
Community organisations
Social enterprises
Not-for-profit companies
Key eligibility requirements
Applicants must:
Have an annual income between £100,000 and £2 million.
Dedicate at least 50% of their organisational work to young people aged 14–25.
Have independently audited or examined accounts.
Demonstrate an established track record of supporting young people.
Show how their work addresses systemic inequality.
Demonstrate how young people influence their organisation's work.
Have a clear commitment to anti-racism and inclusive practice.
Focus on strengthening existing work rather than introducing entirely new projects.
Non-charitable organisations must demonstrate that the funding will be used for charitable purposes and have an appropriate asset lock.
Partnership applications are permitted where an established partnership has a lead organisation responsible for receiving the funding.
What costs can be funded?
The Youth Fund provides flexible support towards existing organisational activities.
Eligible costs include:
Staff salaries
Core operating expenses
Organisational development
Delivery costs
Activities supporting wider systems change
Strengthening existing programmes
Improving organisational capacity and impact
What cannot be funded?
The programme does not support:
Newly registered organisations without independently audited or examined accounts
New or untested projects
Short-term activities with no wider impact
Statutory responsibilities
Direct service delivery without a wider change objective
Research without a clear pathway to action
Hospice or end-of-life care for young people
Projects focused exclusively on employment pathways
Projects focused exclusively on access to further or higher education
YMCA projects are generally excluded unless they aim to achieve significant wider changes in housing provision or young people's entitlements.
How much funding is available?
Minimum Grant: £90,000 over three years
Maximum Grant: £150,000 over three years
The Foundation provides between £30,000 and £50,000 annually.
Funding is awarded for the full three-year period.
The Foundation generally prefers to award the maximum amount where appropriate.
How does the application process work?
Stage 1 – Written Application
Applicants complete an online application explaining:
Their organisation's existing work
The young people they support
Their ambitions for wider change
How their approach aligns with the fund's priorities
How young people influence their work
Applicants must also provide:
An organisational, business or strategic plan
A safeguarding policy
Stage 2 – Online Interview
Shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview.
Additional information may be requested about:
Organisational finances
Fundraising
Governance
Impact and outcomes
Stage 3 – Funding Decision
Applications are reviewed by the Foundation's team and considered by a grants panel.
The Foundation normally takes four to six months to reach a final decision.
Applicants should usually receive an initial response within eight weeks.
How competitive is the fund?
The Foundation reports that:
Approximately 20 grants are awarded annually.
Around 10–12% of applicants receive funding.
Applicants should demonstrate a strong track record, meaningful youth involvement and clear ambitions for wider change.
Funding information
Grant Amount: £90,000–£150,000
Annual Funding: £30,000–£50,000
Funding Duration: Three years
Funding Type: Core organisational funding
Location: United Kingdom
Target Audience: Established nonprofit organisations supporting young people aged 14–25
Application Deadline: Rolling – no fixed deadline