The funding is for work that focuses on specific groups within the UK that experience marginalisation and/or discrimination. The Foundation has sharpened the focus of beneficiaries, particularly in the first three categories and the last (children/young people).
The following focus on adults only:
- Asylum seekers and refugees – support work to benefit refugees, asylum seekers, and refused asylum seekers, including those held in detention. The focus has been changed to women only. The focus is on those who are seeking asylum in the UK, and female refugees who have been through the asylum system; rather than people who arrive in the UK through community sponsorship or via resettlement schemes.
- Offenders and ex-offenders – support for penal reform and fund groups working with offenders in prison and out in the community. The focus now is solely on organisations supporting female offenders, and those in prison for violence against women.
- Older People – funding is focused on projects that benefit isolated elderly people (generally aged 70+) including those with dementia. There will now be a greater focus on specific areas of work for the elderly especially for those in rural and more deprived areas.
- People affected by violence or abuse – work that supports both men and women who are, or have in the past been, affected by violence or abuse. This includes projects supporting people affected by rape and sexual abuse, domestic abuse, stalking, trafficking, prostitution and modern slavery, honour-based abuse, female genital mutilation, and forced marriage. The funding can also support work with perpetrators aiming to lessen isolation and prevent the risk of further abuse.
- Gypsy, Roma and Traveler Communities face, and work to combat hate crime, stigma, discrimination and inequalities, including the lack of appropriate accommodation or other service provision.
- People with mental health issues – support for mental health charities and projects that benefit people with moderate or severe mental health issues.
in addition, there is funding for work with:
- Young People – aged 12-21 who are vulnerable, socially excluded or marginalised with a focus on those who are persistently absent from school; school leavers with no qualifications; and young people in/leaving care.
The Foundation typically makes around 130 to 150 grants in a year with a total value of between £720,000 and £800,000.
The maximum grant is £15,000. This can be a single grant, or over two or three years. The average grant is £5,000 to £6,000.
Applications can be made at any time and are considered three times a year, generally in February, June and October.
