The Allen Lane Foundation supports work that improves the lives of socially excluded and marginalised young people aged 12–21 across the UK. Through its Young People’s Programme, the Foundation provides grants ranging from £5,000 to £15,000 to small charities and not-for-profit organisations delivering essential support to young people facing significant challenges.
Funding can be used flexibly for core costs, project delivery, or capital expenditure, helping organisations build stability and deliver meaningful, long-term impact.
The Foundation prioritises projects supporting young people who are:
-
In, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system
-
Care leavers or looked-after children
-
Experiencing severe mental health issues or complex needs
-
Affected by trauma, neglect, abuse, or violence
-
Vulnerable to exploitation or excluded from education and care
To be eligible, applicants must have an annual income of under £100,000 for local projects, or under £250,000 for UK-wide work.
Applications are open throughout the year. The next Trustee meeting reviewing applications is scheduled for June 2026. Please note that the assessment process typically takes 2–6 months from application to decision.
For full details, including eligibility and how to apply, visit the Young People’s Programme page on the Allen Lane Foundation website.
