The Allen Lane Foundation: Young People's Programme

Overview

Programme Overview 

They aim to 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 targetted 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.

• For example, pro-active 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.

The Foundation is not looking to fund general youth provision due to the limitation of available resource, but will consider both core or project funding of organisations whose work aligns with the aim of the programme.

Applicable to all their programmes, they look to fund work which:

• will make a lasting difference to people’s lives rather than simply alleviating the symptoms or current problems;
• is aimed at reducing isolation, stigma and discrimination, and;
• encourages or enables groups that experience marginalisation and/or discrimination to share in the life of the whole community.

Who they fund

The Allen Lane Foundation funds small registered charities, voluntary groups, and charitable organisations.

• Organisations that across a local area such as a village, estate or town, must have an income of less than around £100,000.
• Organisations that work across the whole of the UK must have an income of less than around £250,000.

They fund organisations which are registered charities, and also other organisations which are not charities but which seek funding for a charitable project. (Such as constituted voluntary groups or Community Interest Companies for example.)

• They make grants across the United Kingdom.
  • They do not fund work within Greater London. Organisations which have their offices in London are eligible provided the people who benefit from their work are not only in London.

Funding Level & Notes

Over a typical year, they make around 130-150 grants, to a total value of between £720,000 and £800,000.

The total amount they can offer is up to £15,000.  This can be over three years, two years, or a single grant. Most grants average size is £5,000-£6,000.

They aim to help organisations to become sustainable, supporting running and core costs to enable them to have flexibility, security and longevity. They can contribute to project costs or salaries.

The grants can be used to support a range of activities, including core costs, project work, and capital expenditure.

They would only consider applications from CICs towards the costs of projects that must be wholly charitable.