UK registered charities and charitable incorporated organisations based and working in the UK that can demonstrate impact with ex-offenders, young offenders or young people at risk of offending, either within a local area or nationally may apply for small grants of up to £5,000 or larger grants with no set limit. Grants are normally awarded for one year only.
The funding is intended for registered charities working in the current priority areas:
- Supporting offenders and ex-offenders into work, specifically for those looking to build skills and capability to get into sustainable work.
- Helping specific groups within the criminal justice sector that are less popular with funders than others.
The secondary funding area is focused on projects that specifically work with young people (aged 16 years to 25 years) already involved in the Criminal Justice System to ensure they are given every chance to realise their full potential and to participate fully in society rather than general youth development projects.
Preference is to fund new and innovative projects. Applicants must show they have investigated other sources of funding and made plans for future funding.
The grants can be used for pump priming, project funding, associated project costs, core costs, and innovative or pioneering work.
Applications will be accepted from UK registered charities and charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs) with an income of up to £5 million.
There are usually three funding rounds per year with applications considered in February, June and October.
Applications can be made at any time and are considered three times a year, in February, June and October. It may take up to four months for the application to be processed.
The closing dates for applications are midday on:
- 12 November 2026 to be considered in February 2027.
- 11 March 2027 to be considered in June 2027.
- 1 July 2027 to be considered in October 2027.
- 1 November 2027 to be considered in February 2028.