Youth Project Grants: Funding for Youth Work in the UK

Youth work funding in the UK comes from a mix of national foundations, Lottery money, community foundations and specialist funds. The age ranges, amounts and rules vary a lot from one funder to the next, so it pays to read the small print before you start writing. Here is where to look, and what youth funders tend to expect.

Last checked: 26 October 2026. Every amount and rule below was checked on the funder's own page.

What youth funders pay for

Most youth funders pay for one or more of these:

• Running costs, such as youth workers' salaries, rent and insurance
• Projects, such as a new club night, a mentoring scheme or a summer programme
• Trips and activities that build confidence and belonging
• Youth voice, where young people help design, run or decide on the work

Check the age range first. One fund covers 11 to 25, another 14 to 22, another 18 and under. If most of your young people fall outside the range, the bid is unlikely to succeed however good the project is.

National funds for youth work

BBC Children in Need Core Costs is for charities and not-for-profit organisations working with children and young people. You can apply at any time, for up to three years and up to £40,000 a year. It prioritises smaller, local organisations and won't fund groups with income over £1 million in their latest full year. Requests over £15,000 a year must come from organisations registered with the right regulator, and requests of £15,000 or less get quicker decisions. Schools can't apply.

Paul Hamlyn Foundation Youth Fund is for not-for-profit organisations working with young people aged 14 to 25 who face systemic inequity, with annual income between £100,000 and £2 million. Grants are up to £50,000 a year for three years and never less than £30,000 a year, covering core operating costs including salaries. It is rolling, with no deadlines. The foundation makes 20 grants a year, and on average 10 to 12% of applicants are funded, so read its guidance closely: it wants work that goes beyond direct delivery to change systems and practice.

Funding led by young people

Some funds put young people in charge of the decisions or the work itself.

LGBT+ Fund Youth Joy Fund gives £5,000 to £25,000 to England-based non-profit organisations and youth groups supporting LGBT+ young people aged 11 to 25. Young people helped design the fund and a youth panel assesses applications. You need at least two years of youth work and existing LGBT+ youth provision. It closes at 12pm on 18 November 2026, and video and supported applications are accepted.

Young Start Small Grants is for organisations in Scotland supporting children and young people aged 8 to 24 that want to learn how to involve them in decisions. You can apply for £300 to £20,000 for a project lasting up to a year, with a decision in about 12 weeks. If you already involve young people well, the funder points you to Young Start Main Grants instead.

Community foundation youth funds

Community foundations run many of the UK's local youth funds, often with money from local donors. They are usually smaller than national funds and limited to one area.

Cumbria Young People's Fund is a good example. It gives charitable and not-for-profit organisations grants normally up to £10,000 a year for work that helps young people aged 14 to 22 build life skills and fulfil their potential. Past examples include confidence and resilience programmes, community youth group activities and counselling for young people in homeless hostels. It does not fund individuals.

Most areas have something similar. Search grants for charities on GrantMatch and filter by your area, or contact your local community foundation and ask which funds suit youth work.

Safeguarding and evidence funders expect

Youth funders look closely at how you keep young people safe. Before you apply, have these ready:

1. A safeguarding policy that you review at least yearly, with a named lead.
2. Background checks at the right level for staff and volunteers.
3. Simple records of who attends, how often, and what changes for them.
4. Young people's voices, such as quotes, survey results or examples of decisions they shaped.

Funders like the Youth Joy Fund and Young Start put youth involvement at the centre, so show how young people shape your work, not only that they attend it.

Questions people ask

Can a youth club without a charity number get a grant? Sometimes. Several youth funders accept constituted community groups and not-for-profit organisations, though larger requests may need registration. BBC Children in Need, for example, only considers requests over £15,000 a year from registered organisations. See our guide to grants for community groups for options.

Will youth funders pay for a youth worker's salary? Many will. BBC Children in Need's Core Costs stream and Paul Hamlyn's Youth Fund both pay running costs. Our guide to core costs funding covers more funders that pay salaries.

What about school-based youth projects? Schools are excluded from many youth funds, but a PTA or partner charity can often apply. Our guide to PTA grants and school funding explains how.

Looking for youth funding near you? Create a free GrantMatch account and we'll email you new grants that fit your organisation.

We check every deadline on the funder's own website before publishing. Funders do change dates, so always confirm on their site before you apply.