The Allen Lane Foundation is committed to improving the lives of socially excluded and marginalised young people aged 12 – 21 years old across the UK. Through its Young People’s Programme, the Foundation offers grants of £5,000 – £15,000 to small charities and not-for-profit organisations delivering vital support to those facing significant challenges.

Funding can be used for core costs, project delivery, or capital expenditure, enabling organisations to provide stability and impactful services. The Foundation prioritises work with 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
traumatised by neglect, abuse, or violence
vulnerable to exploitation, or excluded from education and care

Applicants’ annual income must be under £100,000 for local projects, or £250,000 for UK-wide initiatives.

Applications are accepted year-round, with the next Trustee review meeting taking applications scheduled for June 2026; please note, processing an application and making a grant usually takes 2 – 6 months.

Recent grants in Scotland have supported projects such as:

For further information, including how to apply, please visit the dedicated Young People’s Programme page (linked for your convenience).