Youth Fund
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
What they fund
Organisations working with young people aged 14–25 to drive systemic change so young people have agency and voice in improving their transitions to adulthood. Funding covers core operating costs and scaling existing impact, with a focus on tackling root causes of inequity affecting young people.
Who can apply
- Not-for-profit organisations (charities, community organisations, social enterprises, not-for-profit companies) with an annual income between £100,000 and £2 million, based on the accounts for their most recently completed financial year
- At least 50% of the organisation's focus must be on work with 14–25 year olds
- Non-charities must declare how funding is for charitable purposes and have an asset lock
- Organisations must have been independently audited or examined and have an active track record
- For partnerships, there must be a named lead partner who receives funds
- New or untested approaches, projects or finite pieces of work
- Newly registered organisations without independently audited or examined accounts
- Work that is a statutory responsibility
- Project-based activity with no impact beyond the organisation's own beneficiaries
Show all 10 exclusions
- Service delivery without a specific focus on wider change
- Research with no direct link to action
- Hospice or end-of-life care for young people
- YMCAs unless seeking significant wider change in housing provision and entitlements
- Work focused only on employment pathways or on further and higher education
- Paul Hamlyn Foundation's general exclusions also apply
See how many funds you could apply for
Grant details
UK-wide
Work with young people experiencing systemic inequity and challenging transitions (into/out of education, care, housing, or secure estate). Organisations led by people most impacted by racism, ableism, classism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, and/or transphobia particularly welcomed. Asset-based approaches that centre young people's voices, insight and power. Recognition of young people's multiple and overlapping identities (race, gender, sexual orientation, class, faith, migration status, ability).
£50,000 a year for three years, £150,000 in total, and never less than £30,000 a year. The foundation only funds for the full three years and prefers to fund at the maximum, for core operating costs and to grow the impact of what you already do.
Rolling application cycle with no set deadlines. Written applications are assessed and you should hear within 8 weeks of submission. Those meeting criteria are invited to online interview. Following moderation, applications go to one of five annual grants panels (made up of trustees and advisors). Overall decision timeline is usually 4–6 months from written application to final decision.
Two-step process. Step 1: Complete written application via online portal describing your organisation's work, ambition for change, and alignment with fund criteria. Submit strategic/business/organisational plan and safeguarding policy. Step 2: If shortlisted, attend online interview and submit additional information on finances, fundraising, governance, and impact. Applications assessed by team members, then progressing applications reviewed by whole team and taken to grants panel.
Clearly demonstrate systemic change ambitions beyond immediate beneficiaries. Show how your organisation recognises and works with young people's multiple identities. Evidence asset-based practice. Explain how young people's voices and power drive decision-making. Include strategic/business/organisational plan and safeguarding policy. Be led by or closely involve people with lived experience of the inequities you are addressing.
The fund prefers to give the maximum, £50,000 a year for three years, so ask for that and show why. Lead with systemic change, not service delivery: what will be different for young people beyond those you work with directly. Around 20 grants a year go to 10 to 12 percent of applicants. If the process itself is a barrier, PHF offers pre-application access support and a bursary of up to £750 to help you apply.