Calling Islington-based voluntary groups and organisations!
Do you support young people aged 13-20* to navigate key life transitions? Do you offer engaging educational opportunities that help young people find a path in life through developing knowledge and/or practical skills? Do you proactively reach young people who may otherwise be excluded from services, for example because of issues around crime, mental health, neurodiversity, language barriers or disability? If this sounds like you, our Young Grant Makers would like to hear from you!
We are a group of Young People who live in Islington who have come together this year to make decisions about how Islington Giving’s funding for young people is spent. We want to fund projects that:
- Support young people aged 13-20* at key points of transition;
- Provide engaging educational opportunities to help young people find a path in life;
- Target young people who may face challenges accessing activities, education or work, for example because of issues around crime, language barriers, mental health, neurodiversity or disability.
*age can be up to 25 for neurodiverse young people.
The deadline for applications is Monday 8th December at 11am.
“To us, it’s important to tackle issues directly rather than just raising awareness, and to ensure projects for young people are genuinely appealing, beneficial and impactful.” ~ Young Grant Makers Call 2025
Projects can be open to everyone, but priority may be given to projects tailored to a particular group of young people at greater risk of exclusion, for example those facing homelessness, language barriers or disabled young people. If open to everyone, projects must specifically demonstrate how they are accessible for people who may otherwise be at risk of exclusion.
What we are looking for (essential criteria):
- Support young people aged 13-20 (up to 25 for neurodiverse young people);
- Are delivered in Islington with the majority of beneficiaries Islington residents;
- Provide safe spaces for young people;
- Are free or very low cost;
- Are inclusive and accessible to young people regardless of background, ethnicity, neurodiversity, disability, level of English, etc.
- Are delivered in a location which is easy to reach and is accessible;
- Have a proactive approach to safeguarding, and safeguarding policies and procedures in place;
- Are well publicised.
What we would like to fund projects that (desired criteria):
- Provide food to participants attending sessions;
- Increase access including by covering expenses such as care/travel costs for people who would not otherwise be able to attend and offer outreach (you are encouraged to include costs for this in your budget);
- Are from organisations already operating in Islington that can offer longer-term sustained benefits beyond the funded project;
- Projects that have a legacy, as such we are likely to prioritise projects requesting multi-year funding, and with a plan for how they will continue beyond the grant period;
- Projects that boost practical skills for young people;
- Projects that are engaging or informative.
Guidance:
The total amount of funding we have available is £195,000. Our maximum grant is likely to be up to £20,000 for one year, or £35,000 for multi-year funding.
Please be aware that demand for funds is high, therefore we ask that you carefully consider whether your proposal strongly meets the criteria before applying. For example, in our last Young Grant Makers fund we had 34 applications and were able to fund 7. If you are unsure, please don’t hesitate to contact our Programme Manager, Laura, for clarification at laura.guy@cripplegate.org.uk.
The answers on your application form will be assessed by young people aged 16-24. Please therefore avoid use of jargon and acronyms to make the language understandable to all.
How to apply
Complete the online application form. If you would like to submit your application in an alternative format or need assistance, please contact Laura Guy, Programme Manager on laura.guy@cripplegate.org.uk.
Timeline
- Application forms submitted by 8th December at 11am
- Shortlisted applicants invited for an interview in February 2026.
- Applicants informed of grant decisions by 6th March 2026.
The deadline for applications is Monday 8th December at 11am
