Grants for youth groups and projects for young people
As of 22 October 2026, GrantMatch lists 57 live grants for youth groups and young people projects from 25 funders. 9 close in the next 30 days, the first on 24 October 2026, 46 are open all year with no fixed deadline, and 8 were added this week. Each entry links to the official source.
Listings last checked 21 October 2026. Guide checked 21 October 2026.
Youth clubs, uniformed groups, sports clubs and youth projects rely heavily on grants, from a few hundred pounds for kit and trips to multi-year funding for youth workers. Many funders give young people a priority, and some, such as BBC Children in Need, fund nothing else.
This page lists live grants for organisations that work with children and young people, open to charities, CICs and community groups. Grants for individual young people, such as education bursaries, are left out.
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Create free accountClosing in the next 30 days (9)
Young People's Emotional Support Fund (Staffordshire)
Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire
This fund gives up to £5,000 to Staffordshire groups helping young people with their emotional health and wellbeing. Projects should support young people aged 11 to 19, or up to 25 with SEND or an EHCP, to build resilience and confidence and know where to find help. Youth groups and wider community groups can both apply. You must have been running for at least 12 months, and the work must be in Staffordshire, not Stoke-on-Trent. Applications close on 30 October 2026. Official source: https://staffordshire.foundation/grants/staffordshire-organisations/young-peoples-emotional-support-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 21 October 2026.
Kingsley Community Fund (Staffordshire Moorlands)
Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire
The Kingsley Community Fund gives grants of up to £1,000 to groups serving the parish of Kingsley in Staffordshire Moorlands. It prefers capital projects, such as building work and equipment, and has a strong preference for children and young people. Bigger grants of up to £20,000 are possible, but you must speak to the Community Foundation first. The next closing date is 31 October 2026. Official source: https://staffordshire.foundation/grants/staffordshire-organisations/kingsleyfund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 21 October 2026.
Increasing opportunities for children and young people (CYP) to engage in sport, movement and performing arts in Newcastle
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
This fund aims to increase opportunities for children and young people to take part in sport, movement and performing arts in Newcastle. It is listed on the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland site as the Wembley Stadium Foundation Communities Fund. It is an organisation grant, so it suits groups working in Newcastle that want to open up more sport, movement or performing arts activity for children and young people. You can apply for up to £10,000. The fund is open for applications now and closes on 2 November 2026. Note that some other funds on the same page close earlier, on 19 October 2026, so make sure you are looking at the right closing date for this one. If you have not applied to the Community Foundation before, you will need an account on its grantee portal first. It is worth registering early so that nothing slows you down close to the closing date. The funder also has a page for new applicants where you can check that you and your activity meet its eligibility criteria, plus FAQs and a Help and Support page if you need extra help to apply. The listing on the page is brief, so read the full fund details through the "Read more" link before you start your application. If this fund is not the right fit, the Community Foundation says organisations in Tyne and Wear or Northumberland can make a general application at any time of year. Official source: https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
LGBT+ Fund Youth Joy Fund
The LGBT+ Fund (Consortium)
Grants of £5,000 to £25,000 for work that brings joy, community connection and better wellbeing to LGBT+ young people aged 11 to 25, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. England-based non-profit LGBT+ organisations and youth groups supporting young people aged 11 to 25 can apply. Apply on the LGBT+ Fund website before 12 noon on 18 November 2026. Official source: https://lgbtfund.org.uk/live-funds/youth-joy-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
Enkalon Foundation General Fund
Enkalon Foundation
Grants for core running or project costs of Northern Ireland charities and community groups working in education, health, citizenship and community development, arts and heritage, amateur sport, relief of need and animal welfare. The average grant is about £1,000. Amount: Up to £6,000 (average grant about £1,000). Next closing date 18 November 2026 (trustees meet quarterly). Who can apply: Charities and community groups in Northern Ireland. Groups in the former Antrim Borough area can apply every year; the rest of Northern Ireland every two years. Playgroups, PTAs, senior citizens groups, summer schemes, youth clubs, theatre and sports groups outside the former Antrim Borough are not normally funded. No individuals or medical research. How to apply: Complete the General Fund application on the Enkalon Foundation website, showing the need, the benefit and other fundraising. Email info@enkalonfoundation.org or call 028 9447 7131. Official source: https://www.enkalonfoundation.org/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
Blooming Genius Grants for Neurodivergent Youth
Genius Within CIC
Small grants, usually a few hundred pounds up to about £2,000, for UK grassroots groups supporting neurodivergent children under 18 and their families. UK grassroots organisations, including unconstituted groups, can apply. Complete the online form by 24 October 2026. Grants are awarded in December; the next window opens 1 March 2027. Official source: https://geniuswithin.org/blooming-genius-1/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
Bristol Youth and Play Support Programme
Quartet Community Foundation
The Bristol Youth and Play Support Programme from Quartet Community Foundation is open for applications. It funds organisations in Bristol that work with local children and young people aged 8 to 19, or up to 25 for young people with learning difficulties. You can ask for a grant towards a new or existing activity. Grants can cover core or running costs, project and activity costs, and equipment. The money cannot be used to pay back costs you have already spent, and you should plan to start spending within six months of being awarded the grant. The most you can ask for is £5,000. Partnerships of two or more organisations can apply for up to £10,000, as long as every partner meets the eligibility criteria and the funding is split in a proportionate way between them. The programme gives priority to work that meets the aims in one or more of the four Youth and Play Development Plans. These cover North, South, East Central and City Centre Bristol. The Guide for applicants explains the plans in more detail. Applications close on 26 October 2026 at 11:00 am. Competition is tough. Last round, the amount requested was nearly twice the amount available, and the foundation expects to award about 15 grants this time. Several applications were unsuccessful last time because they did not directly address the plan priorities, so read the guide carefully before you start. The foundation aims to tell applicants its decision within 8 weeks of the closing date. Official source: https://quartetcf.org.uk/grants/bristol-youth-and-play-support-programme/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 15 October 2026.
Awards to organisations in Northumberland supporting young people aged 10 to 25 years
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
This award is for organisations in Northumberland that support young people aged 10 to 25. It comes from the Northumberland High Sheriff Awards Fund, run by Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. You can ask for up to £1,000. The fund is for organisations, not individuals. The funder lists the closing date as 26 October 2026. Before you apply for the first time, you will need an account on the funder's grantee portal. New applicants can also read the funder's eligibility information to check that your organisation and your activity are a good fit. If you need support with your application, the funder has a Help and Support page, and a set of FAQs that answers common questions. The funder lists a separate fund with the same purpose for Tyne and Wear. That one covers Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland, so it is not for Northumberland groups. One practical point. This fund has a fixed closing date, so it is not open all year. If you miss it, the funder says organisations in Tyne and Wear or Northumberland can make a general application at any time of year when no current call matches their needs. Official source: https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
And 1 more in all open grants below.
Added this week (8)
Young People's Emotional Support Fund (Staffordshire)
Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire
This fund gives up to £5,000 to Staffordshire groups helping young people with their emotional health and wellbeing. Projects should support young people aged 11 to 19, or up to 25 with SEND or an EHCP, to build resilience and confidence and know where to find help. Youth groups and wider community groups can both apply. You must have been running for at least 12 months, and the work must be in Staffordshire, not Stoke-on-Trent. Applications close on 30 October 2026. Official source: https://staffordshire.foundation/grants/staffordshire-organisations/young-peoples-emotional-support-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 21 October 2026.
Kingsley Community Fund (Staffordshire Moorlands)
Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire
The Kingsley Community Fund gives grants of up to £1,000 to groups serving the parish of Kingsley in Staffordshire Moorlands. It prefers capital projects, such as building work and equipment, and has a strong preference for children and young people. Bigger grants of up to £20,000 are possible, but you must speak to the Community Foundation first. The next closing date is 31 October 2026. Official source: https://staffordshire.foundation/grants/staffordshire-organisations/kingsleyfund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 21 October 2026.
LGBT+ Fund Youth Joy Fund
The LGBT+ Fund (Consortium)
Grants of £5,000 to £25,000 for work that brings joy, community connection and better wellbeing to LGBT+ young people aged 11 to 25, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. England-based non-profit LGBT+ organisations and youth groups supporting young people aged 11 to 25 can apply. Apply on the LGBT+ Fund website before 12 noon on 18 November 2026. Official source: https://lgbtfund.org.uk/live-funds/youth-joy-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
Enkalon Foundation General Fund
Enkalon Foundation
Grants for core running or project costs of Northern Ireland charities and community groups working in education, health, citizenship and community development, arts and heritage, amateur sport, relief of need and animal welfare. The average grant is about £1,000. Amount: Up to £6,000 (average grant about £1,000). Next closing date 18 November 2026 (trustees meet quarterly). Who can apply: Charities and community groups in Northern Ireland. Groups in the former Antrim Borough area can apply every year; the rest of Northern Ireland every two years. Playgroups, PTAs, senior citizens groups, summer schemes, youth clubs, theatre and sports groups outside the former Antrim Borough are not normally funded. No individuals or medical research. How to apply: Complete the General Fund application on the Enkalon Foundation website, showing the need, the benefit and other fundraising. Email info@enkalonfoundation.org or call 028 9447 7131. Official source: https://www.enkalonfoundation.org/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
BBC Children in Need: Core Costs
BBC Children in Need
BBC Children in Need offers core funding for not-for-profit organisations working with children and young people aged 18 or under across the UK. Grants range from £1,000 to £40,000 per year for up to three years. This funding supports organisations helping children facing poverty, disability, family challenges, or social injustice. Before you apply, you must attend a pre-application advice session. There is no set application deadline.
Subs for Clubs
Norfolk Community Foundation
Grants of up to £1,000 (about £100 to £150 per young person) to cover club subs for Norfolk young people who could not otherwise take part. Norfolk clubs and groups can apply on behalf of young people. Apply online; decisions within about a month. Official source: https://www.norfolkfoundation.com/funding-support/grants/groups/subs-for-clubs/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
Guide
Checked 21 October 2026 against the official sources linked.
Small grants for activities and kit
Most of the grants below are small and quick: equipment, trips, sessions, room hire and volunteer training. Community foundations run many of them, often with a fund for young people in a particular area, so look for the one that covers you.
Source: UK Community Foundations: find your local community foundation
Funding for staff and core costs
Grants for youth workers and running costs are rarer and more competitive. Funders want to see evidence of need, a track record, and young people involved in shaping what you do. Show what changes for the young people you work with, not only how many attend, and how you will keep the work going when the grant ends.
Safeguarding comes first
Every funder of work with children and young people will ask about safeguarding. Have a written policy, a named lead, the right checks for staff and volunteers, and training that is up to date. Charity trustees have legal duties here, set out by the Charity Commission.
Source: Charity Commission: safeguarding duties for trustees (GOV.UK)
Youth work support
The National Youth Agency is the national body for youth work in England, with training, qualifications and guidance. Local youth networks and councils for voluntary service can also help with funding bids, partnerships and finding other groups to share costs, venues or training with.
Source: National Youth Agency
Who funds this
| Funder | Open grants here |
|---|---|
| Cumbria Community Foundation | 27 |
| Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland | 4 |
| BBC Children in Need | 2 |
| Cash For Kids | 2 |
| Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire | 2 |
| Access Sport | 1 |
| Barbara Ward Children's Foundation | 1 |
| Barclays (delivered in partnership with Sported) | 1 |
25 different funders in total. Where a maximum award is stated, the middle value is £4,250.
By grant size
| Largest award | Open grants |
|---|---|
| Up to £2,000 | 19 |
| £2,001 to £10,000 | 23 |
| £10,001 to £100,000 | 5 |
| Over £100,000 | 1 |
| Amount varies or not stated | 9 |
All open grants (57)
No deadline listed
Check the funder's current application window before you apply.
Local Community Fund
Essex County Council
The Local Community Fund is run by Essex County Council. It is not a standard application round. Instead, County Councillors nominate schemes or projects to the fund, working with their district colleagues. If you would like your organisation to be considered, the council asks you to contact your local County Councillor. Money from the fund has to be spent on projects or purchases that fit one of three themes: Youth Provision, Levelling Up the Community, or Climate Action. That makes it a good fit if you run something for young people, something that supports your wider community, or something that helps tackle climate change. The amounts are set per councillor, not per organisation. In 2025-26, each district's allocation was £5,000 for every County Councillor in that district. In 2024-25 it was £5,300, and in 2023-24 it was £4,000. These figures show the money available to councillors. They are not set award sizes for your group. In 2025-26, councillors were invited to make nominations between July 2025 and January 2026. Earlier rounds ran from May to January or February. The page gives no dates or deadline for a later round, so it is worth getting in touch with your councillor early to ask about timing. The council publishes an annual report for each year as a spreadsheet, listing the schemes it funded. These reports can give you a good idea of the kinds of projects that have been supported before. Official source: https://www.essex.gov.uk/about-council/your-councillor/member-local-funds. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
Alan Higgs Community Grants
Heart of England Community Foundation
The Alan Higgs Community Grants offer small grants of up to £1,000 to grassroots community-based organisations. The fund is run by the Heart of England Community Foundation together with the Alan Edward Higgs Charity, which has been making grants to charities across the West Midlands since 1979. The fund aims to support people in Coventry and Warwickshire. Your application needs to meet one of three aims: relieving poverty; promoting economic and community development, and employment; or general charitable purposes. Priority will be given to organisations whose focus is supporting children and young people. If that is your work, it is worth making it clear in your application. These grants are in addition to the Higgs Charity's normal grant making programme. They are designed to share expertise in making grants to small organisations, so the fund is a good fit if you are a small local group rather than a large charity. Before you apply, the funder asks you to read the Fund Factsheet and its Essential Information. These documents are linked from the grant page. Reading them first will help you check that your project fits the fund. The page does not give a closing date or say whether the fund is currently open, so it is worth looking at the funder's grant page for the latest position before you start work on an application. Official source: https://www.heartofenglandcf.org/alan-higgs-community-grants/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
Tesco Fruit & Veg Grants
Tesco
Tesco is offering grants of up to £1,500 for projects that improve children's access to healthy food. Schools, registered charities, and not-for-profit organisations can apply. Your project must support children and young people. The programme is currently open and based in England.
Positive Futures for Young People Fund
Southwark Council
This fund from Southwark Council supports organisations working with young LGBT+ people in Southwark. You can apply if your project supports, educates, or inspires young LGBT+ people in the area. The fund aims to create positive futures for young people in the borough. No funding amounts or deadlines are listed.
Stimulus Fund
Suffolk Community Foundation
The Stimulus Fund from Suffolk Community Foundation helps charitable, voluntary and community groups to bring more people into tennis in Suffolk. It pays for project costs on small, local grassroots schemes. The fund was set up by the Suffolk Lawn Tennis Association. It wants to take tennis further into the community, both socially and geographically. It also wants to give people who have not had the chance before an opportunity to play. Projects should promote tennis in areas of deprivation, including rural areas, and help people who are disadvantaged or vulnerable. You can ask for up to £1,000. The fund aims to encourage young people up to the age of 30 to enjoy tennis or return to it. The emphasis is on increasing membership and making tennis sessions sustainable. Activity camps that include other sports can also be considered, as long as tennis is a major part and an experienced tennis coach supports the sessions. The fund is open all year round. Decisions are made on a regular basis as demand dictates, so there is no closing date to work towards. One practical point to note: any application that involves tennis coaching should only be undertaken by qualified LTA coaches. The page also says social enterprises cannot apply to this fund. If you have questions, you can call a Grants Officer at Suffolk Community Foundation on 01473 602602 before you submit your application. Official source: https://suffolkcf.org.uk/grants/stimulus-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
Beverley Charitable Trust Fund
Cumbria Community Foundation
The Beverley Charitable Trust Fund, run by Cumbria Community Foundation, helps young people reach their potential in education and employment. It pays for things that improve access to study and vocational training. The fund supports both individuals and organisations, but priority will be given to individuals. If you are a young person in hardship, priority goes to those living in the former local authority areas of Allerdale and Copeland. Charitable, not-for-profit organisations can apply too. Examples of projects supported include academic study or courses that build practical skills or personal development, activities that are part of a further or higher education course, and activities leading to vocational qualifications. The fund can also cover books, materials and computer equipment, bursary support and travel costs. Grants to individuals will normally be up to £2,000 over one year. Grants to groups will normally be up to £10,000 over one year. Multiple-year funding may be considered. One practical point: if you are applying as an individual, your household income will be considered when your application is assessed. School trips are not supported, and the foundation's normal exclusions also apply. All applications are made through the foundation's online application portal, and there is a step-by-step help guide to walk you through it. If you would like to know more about the fund, you can contact Tracy Cheesbrough, Grants & Programmes Officer, on 01900 512395. Official source: https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/beverley-trust/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
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Create free accountBarclays Community Sport Fund
Barclays (delivered in partnership with Sported)
The Barclays Community Sport Fund helps reduce inequalities in sport, with a focus on football, tennis and cricket. It is delivered by Sported in partnership with Barclays. The programme runs from April 2025 to December 2027. The round open now is the Female Coaches for Girls Fund. It pays for up to two female coaches per club or group to take a Level 1 or equivalent introductory qualification, plus any extra safeguarding and first aid needs for the sport. Grants are £160 for football and £200 for tennis or cricket. Coaches must complete their qualification within 12 months, subject to course availability. This round opened on 8 July 2026 and closes at 5pm on 4 December 2026. The separate Access Grant round, worth £1,000, closed on 27 May 2026. The fund suits charities, not-for-profit organisations, community groups, youth groups and traditional sports clubs that deliver football, cricket or tennis for women and girls, or want to start. You need to be located in, or supporting people from, areas ranked 1 to 3 on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation. Some disability groups and groups facing rural isolation can also be considered. Funded groups also get advice and support, signposting to training and resources, and chances such as match tickets, mascot places and promotional opportunities. One practical point: applications may close early if funds run out, so apply early. Official source: https://letstalk.coventry.gov.uk/funding-and-opportunities. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
See all 2 rounds of Barclays Community Sport FundQuestions
How many youth grants are open?
Today GrantMatch lists 57 live grants for youth groups and projects for young people, from 25 funders. 42 offer up to £10,000 and 46 have no fixed deadline.
Can individual young people apply?
Not for the grants on this page, which are for organisations. Some community foundations and trusts offer bursaries for individuals, often for education or training, and these are listed on their own grant pages.
Do we need to be a registered charity?
Not always. Many youth grants are open to constituted community groups and CICs. Every funder will expect a safeguarding policy for work with children and young people.
Can grants pay for a youth worker?
Some can. Funding for staff is less common than activity grants, and funders usually want a clear plan for the role and what it will achieve.
How do you check these grants?
We collect grants from official funder pages, GOV.UK, councils and community foundations, and remove them when they close. Each grant page links to its source and shows when we last checked it. Always confirm the details with the funder before you apply.
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Sources and how we check
We collect grants from official funder pages and remove them when they close. Each grant page links to its source and shows when we last checked it. Always confirm the details with the funder before you apply. Guide sources: