7Stars Foundation
The7stars foundation awards grants to charities supporting young people, aged 18 years and under, across the UK. Its grants aim to further the potential and opportunity of children and young people who are surviving abuse, at risk of or experiencing homelessness, caring for a loved one, and challenged by addiction (either personally or through a member of their family).
The Foundation’s current areas of focus are Addiction, Abuse, Homelessness, Child Carers.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- be UK registered charities, council-run children’s homes, or schools
- Have a turnover of under £1.5m
- Have delivered services pre-2020
- Not be volunteer led
- Not have more than 30% free reserves.
Funding amount
Up to £2,500 for project funding.
The Foundation also fully funds apprenticeships through its Apprenticeships grant funding stream.
Closing date
Upcoming application windows are:
- 1st Dec–1st Feb for March 2026 funding review
- 1st Mar–30th Apr for June 2026 funding review
- 1st Jun–31st Aug for October 2026 funding review.
More information
Please visit the 7stars Foundation website.
John Lyons Charity Open Programme
Under the Open Programme, grantees can request funding for core costs, salary costs, or direct project funding. John Lyon’s Charity offers grants to improve the life chances of children and young people through education and family support.
Eligibility
Constituted, not-for-profit organisations..
Funding amount
Grants of between £10,000 and £20,000 per annum for up to three years.
Closing date
Applications are considered by the Grants Committee and approved by the Foundation Governors (the Trustee) three times a year in March, June and November.
More information
Please visit the John Lyons website.
London Marathon Foundation - Active Spaces Fund
The London Marathon Foundation promotes active living in the UK. Its Active Spaces Fund offers £10,000 to £80,000 grants. These funds help build or upgrade sports facilities. The aim is to keep children, young people, and underprivileged communities active and healthy.
Eligibility
Registered charities and community organisations in London. Organisations applying must Support the foundations priority audiences to be active (children, young people and underserved groups and communities).
Funding amount
Grants of between £10,000 and £80,000 are available
Closing date
Applications can be submitted at any time.
More information
Please visit the London Marathon Foundation website.
Paul Hamlyn Youth Fund
Paul Hamlyn funds organisations who work with young people (14–25) to drive change so that future generations of young people can thrive.
The Youth Fund aims to make sure young people have agency and autonomy to drive strategic and systemic change that transform their transitions to adulthood.
Eligibility
The Foundation is interested in funding:
- not-for-profit organisations with a turnover between £30,000 and £3.5million
- organisations where at least 50% of the organisation’s focus is on work with and for young people aged 14-25 who experience systemic inequity
- targeted work with and for young people who face life transitions which may be challenging or create barriers (for example into or out of education, care settings, housing)
- work that recognizes young people’s multiple and overlapping identities (for example race, gender, sexual orientation, class, faith, migration status, ability)
- organisations that work in an asset-based way
- work that grows the impact of what you already do. The Foundation is not looking to fund new or untested approaches, projects or finite pieces of work
Funding amount
Grants of £30,000–£50,000 per year for three years (max grant £150,000). It prefers to fund organisations at the maximum amount and term.
The funding must be used to cover core operating costs (salaries, organisation and delivery costs).
Closing date
Applications can be submitted at any time.
More information
Please visit the Paul Hamlyn Foundation website.
Hargreaves Foundation (UK)
The Hargreaves Foundation, established in 2020 by Peter Hargreaves and his family, is a charitable organisation dedicated to supporting young people facing challenges. The foundation provides grants to organisations that use sport and education to assist individuals under 18 who are living with mental health issues, physical disabilities, or poverty.
Eligibility
- Registered Charities or Charitable Incorporated Organisations.
- Schools and Further Education Colleges (usually exempt charities).
- NHS Trusts.
Funding amount
The Trustees intend to distribute the Foundation’s annual income of approximately £2 million each year. There is no specified minimum or maximum grant size.
Closing date
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
More information
Please visit the Hargreaves Foundation website.
The Mercers Company Older people and Housing
The Mercers’ Company Older People and Housing Programme Fund supports organisations working to prevent loneliness and isolation among older people.
Eligibility
Not-for-profit organisations working toward one or more of the following priorities:
- Combatting Loneliness Faced by Older People
- Combatting Poverty Faced by Older People
Funding amount
Grant size: £50,000 to £120,000
Closing date
Applications can be submitted at any time.
More information
Please visit The Mercers Company website.
Masonic SEN & Disabilities Fund
The Masonic Charitable Foundation has opened its small and large grant funds targeted at charities working toward improving the lives of children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Eligibility
Not-for-profit organisations working to improve the wellbeing and independence of
children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Small Grants - Smaller charities with an annual income between £25,000 and £500,000. Large Grants - Larger charities with an annual income between £500,000 and £5 million.
Funding amount
Grant size: Small Grants £1,000 - £5,000. Large Grants £10,000 - £60,000
Closing date
Applicants are invited to submit an expression of interest, and if successful, will be invited to complete a full application. Expressions of interest can be submitted at any time.
More information
Please visit the Masonic Charitable Foundation website.
The Ironmongers Grants to Charities
The Ironmongers’ Company supports projects aiding disadvantaged youth. These projects help children and young people achieve their full potential.
The company wants projects that give clear educational benefits to a specific group of children or young people.
The types of projects supported include special educational needs, or which foster social, emotional or life skills.
Projects trying new approaches get priority. Share results with wider audience.
Eligibility
Grants are only given to registered charities.
Funding amount
Grants range from a few hundred pounds up to around £10,000. The average grant awarded is £4,000.
Closing date
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
More information
Please visit the Ironmonger's website.
Tesco Stronger Starts
Priority will be given to projects that provide food and support to young people. The types of projects Tesco Community Grants aims to fund are:
- breakfast clubs, holiday clubs, food banks, and Meals on Wheels
- equipment or non-statutory services for nurseries, schools, such as forest schools, library books, equipment for Brownie, Guide or Scout groups, such as camping equipment, and badges.
- play areas
- counselling and support services for young people
- services or equipment to support children and young people’s health
- equipment/ kit for a youth sports team.
Eligibility
Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations.
Funding amount
Grants up to £1,500
Closing date
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
More information
Please visit the Stronger starts website.