Family Grant Programme
Practical help when families need it most
The Family Grant Programme provides timely and carefully directed support to children, young people and families experiencing financial hardship, disadvantage or difficult personal circumstances.
We believe that even a relatively modest grant can change what is possible at a difficult moment. It can remove a barrier, ease immediate pressure or open the door to an opportunity that may otherwise remain out of reach.
Every grant is provided with dignity, care and respect. Because behind every application is a person, a family and a moment when the right support can make a meaningful difference.
Family Support
Our grants provide vital support to families experiencing need, helping to ease immediate pressures and create brighter possibilities for their children.
Educational Support
Our grants open doors to creative learning, helping children and young adults build essential skills, grow in confidence and discover new possibilities.
Community Support
Supporting Families. Inspiring Young People. Strengthening Communities.
More about the programme
Families can experience times when everyday costs suddenly become difficult to manage.
An unexpected change in circumstances, financial pressure or the particular needs of a child can affect wellbeing, participation and family life. The Family Grant Programme provides practical and carefully directed assistance where there is a clear charitable need and the support can create an identifiable benefit.
Depending on individual circumstances and the grant making priorities approved by our trustees, support may contribute towards:
• Essential items for children and young people
• Access to educational, cultural or creative activities
• Equipment or resources that support development and wellbeing
• Participation costs that might otherwise prevent a young person from taking part
• Practical assistance during a period of family hardship
• Support delivered through an appropriate charity, school, college or community organisation
Each application is considered individually, with dignity, care and respect.
More Than Financial Assistance
The true value of a grant is not simply in the cost it covers, but in what that support makes possible.
It may enable a child to participate alongside their peers, give a young person access to an important developmental opportunity or provide a family with practical help at a particularly difficult time.
The Foundation responds with compassion while ensuring every decision is made carefully, fairly and responsibly.
Sometimes, a modest grant can remove a barrier, restore confidence and give a family the breathing space to move forward.
Who We Can Support
The Family Grant Programme is intended to support children, young people and families experiencing financial hardship, disadvantage or another recognised form of charitable need.
Applicants will normally be asked to demonstrate:
• The nature of the need or circumstances
• How the proposed support would benefit the child, young person or family
• Why the cost cannot reasonably be met using existing resources
• Whether alternative funding or statutory support has been explored
• How the grant would be used to create a clear and meaningful benefit
Where appropriate, an application may need to be supported or submitted by a recognised referral organisation, such as:
• A registered charity
• A school or educational setting
• A family support organisation
• A community group
• A social care or health professional
• Another suitable organisation familiar with the family’s circumstances
This referral process helps the Foundation protect dignity, understand individual circumstances, verify need and ensure support is directed carefully, fairly and responsibly.
How Our Foundation Can Help
Subject to the trustees’ approved grant making policy, the Family Grant Programme may consider contributing towards costs in the following areas:
Children’s Essential Needs
Items that support a child’s everyday wellbeing, safety or development when their family cannot reasonably meet the cost.
Education and Participation
Resources, equipment or participation costs that enable a child or young person to engage in education, enrichment and personal development.
Creative and Cultural Opportunities
Access to appropriate creative, artistic or cultural experiences that encourage confidence, learning, expression and inclusion.
Family Wellbeing
Practical assistance that helps ease immediate pressure and supports the welfare of children and young people within the family.
Community Support
Grants to appropriate organisations delivering a clear and direct benefit to children, young people and families experiencing need.
Detailed eligibility criteria and application guidance will be published when each funding round opens.
How the Application Process Works
1. Check the Eligibility Guidance
Read the current programme criteria to confirm that the request appears to fall within the Foundation’s charitable priorities.
2. Submit an Application or Referral
Provide clear information about the family’s circumstances, the support being requested and the difference it is expected to make.
3. Application Assessment
The Foundation will review the information provided and may request further details, evidence of costs or confirmation from a referring professional or organisation.
4. Trustee Decision
Eligible applications will be considered through the Foundation’s approved decision making process to ensure funding is awarded carefully, fairly and responsibly.
5. Payment or Provision of Support
Where appropriate, grants may be paid directly to a supplier, school, charity or service provider rather than provided as unrestricted cash to an individual.
6. Outcome and Follow Up
The Foundation may request brief confirmation of how the support was used and the difference it made to the child, young person or family.
Respect, Privacy and Dignity
The Foundation understands that asking for help can be difficult. Every application will therefore be handled sensitively, respectfully and confidentially, in accordance with our privacy, safeguarding and data protection procedures.
Information will only be requested when it is relevant to assessing the application, safeguarding those involved or meeting the Foundation’s legal and regulatory responsibilities.
No family will be expected to share their personal story publicly as a condition of receiving support.
Any photograph, testimonial or case study will only be used with appropriate and informed consent.
Working in Partnership with Community Organisations
The Family Grant Programme is strengthened by partnerships with trusted organisations that already know, understand and support local families.
Schools, charities, family centres and community organisations can help the Foundation:
• Identify genuine charitable need
• Understand a family’s circumstances with care and sensitivity
• Safeguard children, young people and vulnerable individuals
• Ensure support is directed appropriately
• Avoid duplication with other available funding or services
• Understand the difference a grant has made
Organisations interested in becoming a referral or delivery partner are warmly invited to contact the Foundation.
Please do not include highly sensitive personal or medical information in your initial email. We will let you know securely if further evidence is required.