The Hargreaves Foundation, which was established with a £100 million budget in January 2020, seeks to support children and young adults aged 18 and under who have a mental health condition, a disability, or are living in poverty.

Its mission is to “transform young lives through sport and education”, and its aim is to “improve the lives of young people whether with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds, and to assist them in leading the fullest and happiest lives possible”.

The Foundation aims to help children and young people to fulfil their potential and improve their wellbeing, self-esteem and independence through educational and sporting activities provided by UK charitable organisations, including schools, further education institutions and NHS Trusts, with a preference for the South West region.

The Foundation is specifically looking to support projects that:

o Aim to improve academic engagement and attainment.
o Enable individuals to experience the mental and physical health benefits of participatory sport.
o Encourage the development of skills and personal attributes to aid future employability.
o Ensure participatory sport is accessible, and
o Provide sporting or educational activities that foster life skills

No minimum or maximum grant award levels are available. During the year ended 31 January 2021, the Foundation awarded 14 grants totalling £335,341. Awards ranged from £615 to £40,000 (to Independence at Home).

Funding is not available for:

o Community Interest Companies (CICs), social enterprises or private companies.
o Consultations and feasibility studies.
o Core funding.
o Crisis funding.
o Individuals.
o Items or projects which statutory bodies have a duty to fund.
o Local authorities, or
o Retrospective costs.

Further information, guidance and an online application form is available on the Foundation’s website.

Applications may be made at any time.