Hays Travel Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £397,114 (2024 income)
• Total Awarded to Date: £2.3 million
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £14,000
• Average Grant: £4,500
• Decision Time: Within 1 week of trustee meeting
• Geographic Focus: Areas where Hays Travel has branches (approximately 500 locations across the UK)
• Charities Supported: 353 organisations
• Young People Helped: 43,000+

Contact Details

Website: https://www.haystravel.co.uk/foundation/

Email: enquiries@haystravelfoundation.co.uk

Phone: 0191 814 8094

Address: Hays Travel Foundation, Gilbridge House, High Street West, Sunderland

Online Application Portal: http://scv.haystravel.co.uk/FndApp.aspx

Overview

The Hays Travel Foundation was established in 2015 by Dame Irene Hays and her late husband John Hays, founder of Hays Travel. Registered as charity number 1161373, the Foundation works to prevent or relieve poverty and financial hardship particularly affecting young people aged up to 25 years. With an annual income of £397,114 (2024) and total donations exceeding £2.3 million since inception, the Foundation has partnered with 353 registered charities to create opportunities for over 43,000 young people from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The Foundation focuses on removing barriers in education, health, sport, arts, and culture. In 2025, the Foundation celebrated its tenth anniversary, reaching the £2 million donation milestone—a testament to its commitment to helping the next generation fulfill their potential across the UK wherever Hays Travel operates.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £1,000 - £14,000 (average £4,500)

• Rolling application process (no fixed deadlines)
• Trustee meetings held periodically throughout the year
• Next meeting scheduled for 22nd January 2026
• Decisions notified within one week of trustee meeting
• Applications reviewed on merit and impact on young people's lives

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds projects that help young people (up to 25 years) develop in the following areas:

Education and Training

• Educational development programmes
• Skills training and vocational courses
• Access to learning opportunities for disadvantaged youth

Prevention of Poverty

• Projects addressing financial hardship
• Support for young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds

Health

• Physical and emotional health and wellbeing education
• Support for young people with disabilities or health conditions
• Therapeutic interventions

Arts and Culture

• Creative development programmes
• Access to arts experiences
• Cultural participation projects

Amateur Sports

• Sports equipment, kit, and club memberships
• Athlete development programmes
• Team sports for disadvantaged youth

What They Don't Fund

• Staff salaries or core running costs as sole purpose of application (unlikely to be approved)
• Projects not focused on young people aged up to 25
• Organisations without charitable status (must be registered charity or CIC)
• Projects in areas where Hays Travel does not have a branch (unless clear evidence of local impact provided)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Dame Irene Hays - Chair of Trustees

Owner and chair of Hays Travel, Dame Irene co-founded the Foundation with her late husband John Hays in 2015. She has stated: "I've always been passionate about giving young people opportunities to thrive. That's been a golden thread through everything I've done.“ On reaching the £2 million milestone, Dame Irene said: ”Reaching this £2million milestone is a spectacular achievement. Our mission is to remove barriers and help young people to reach their potential across health, sport, the arts, and education."

Professor Peter Michael Fidler MBE

Former Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland (1999-2015), serving as a Trustee since 2014.

Kenneth Peter Campling

Trustee

Dorothy Gregory

Trustee (appointed 2019)

William David Fleetwood

Trustee

Michael Dillon

Trustee (appointed 2014)

The Foundation has 6 trustees, 2,000 volunteers, and no trustees receive remuneration for their work.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Check Eligibility: Ensure your organisation is a registered charity or Community Interest Company (CIC) and operates in or impacts an area where Hays Travel has a branch (approximately 500 locations across the UK including major cities and towns)

1. Complete Online Application: Submit your application through the online portal at http://scv.haystravel.co.uk/FndApp.aspx

1. Application Review: The team reviews all applications for eligibility and merit

1. Trustee Consideration: Applications are presented to trustees at periodic meetings throughout the year (no fixed deadlines - rolling basis)

1. Decision Notification: Applicants receive a letter within one week of the trustee meeting informing them of the decision

1. If Successful: Accept the grant and prepare for reporting requirements

Important Notes:

• Applications can be submitted at any time (rolling basis)
• In some instances, applications may be deferred and further information requested by trustees before a decision is made
• If you need help with your application, contact the team at enquiries@haystravelfoundation.co.uk or 0191 814 8094

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: Held periodically (next meeting: 22nd January 2026)
• Decision Notification: Within 1 week of trustee meeting
• Processing: Applications reviewed upon receipt and scheduled for next available trustee meeting

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation has awarded grants to 353 charities since 2015, demonstrating significant grant-making activity relative to its size.

Reapplication Policy

• Previous grantees can apply again for new projects
• Not recommended to reapply for the same unsuccessful project without significant changes
• Each application is assessed individually on its merit and potential impact

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's documented priorities and guidance, successful applications typically demonstrate:

Clear Focus on Young People: The Foundation's trustees prioritize projects that directly impact young people (up to 25 years) in measurable ways. As Dame Irene Hays stated, the mission is “to remove barriers and help young people to reach their potential.”

Specific Project Outcomes: Applications for specific projects with clear, measurable outputs and outcomes that can be evaluated are favoured over general operational funding. The Foundation emphasizes that applications “solely covering staff salaries or core running costs” are unlikely to be approved.

Geographic Relevance: Strong preference for organisations operating in areas where Hays Travel has branches. If your charity is not located in a Hays Travel area, provide compelling evidence of how your project impacts their local community.

Merit and Impact: Each application is "reviewed and approved based on merit and how much impact it will have on young people's lives." Quantify the number of young people who will benefit and the nature of that benefit.

Addressing Disadvantage: The Foundation has supported 43,000+ young people from “socially and economically disadvantaged circumstances.” Applications should clearly articulate how the project addresses barriers faced by disadvantaged youth.

Examples of Funded Projects:

• Doing it for Dan (Wiltshire): Funded sports equipment, kit, and club memberships for over 40 young athletes, including Olympic swimmer Alex Cahoon who competed at Paris 2024
• Life Education Wessex: Emotional health and wellbeing education delivery
• Aspire Ryde: Creating thriving, inclusive community opportunities
• Hearts and Minds: Therapeutic clowning to improve young people's lives
• The Neuromuscular Centre: Graphic design course enabling students with neuromuscular conditions to develop professional skills

Areas of Focus: Education/training, prevention of poverty, health advancement, disability support, arts/culture, and amateur sports development.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Rolling applications mean timing flexibility: No fixed deadlines allow you to apply when your project is ready, but note trustee meeting dates for planning purposes

• Geographic alignment is critical: Must operate in or demonstrate clear impact in areas where Hays Travel has branches (approximately 500 UK locations); if outside their areas, provide strong evidence of local community impact

• Project-specific funding only: Do not apply for general running costs or staff salaries alone; focus on specific projects with measurable outcomes for young people

• Youth focus is non-negotiable: All projects must benefit young people up to age 25 in at least one priority area (education, poverty prevention, health, arts/culture, or sports)

• Average grant is £4,500: While the range is £1,000-£14,000, pitch your budget realistically around the average unless you can justify a larger amount with exceptional impact

• Demonstrate impact with evidence: Quantify how many young people will benefit and what barriers will be removed; the Foundation's mission is explicitly about removing barriers for disadvantaged youth

• Be prepared for post-award engagement: 6 and 12-month reporting required, plus willingness to share success stories and welcome site visits—this Foundation values ongoing relationships with grantees

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE NORMAN FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE LIVEWELL FOUNDATION
• THE 1989 WILLAN CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Shanly Foundation
• The Gibbons Family Trust
• The Joyce Fletcher Charitable Trust
• THE BALLINGER CHARITABLE TRUST
• Gatwick Airport Community Trust
• The Elmgrant Trust
• The Bassil Shippam and Alsford Trust

References

1. Hays Travel Foundation Official Website - Charity Funding Information. https://www.haystravel.co.uk/foundation/charity-funding/

1. Hays Travel Foundation FAQs. https://www.haystravel.co.uk/foundation/faqs/

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - HAYS TRAVEL FOUNDATION (Charity Number 1161373). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5055637/full-print

1. Hays Travel Foundation News. https://www.haystravel.co.uk/foundation/news/

1. Sunderland Echo (2025). "We're so proud to have helped thousands of young people reach their potential" - Dame Irene Hays on Foundation's £2m milestone. https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/people/were-so-proud-to-have-helped-thousands-of-young-people-reach-their-potential-5368946

1. Connected Voice - Hays Travel Foundation Funding Information. https://connectedvoice.org.uk/services/support-and-development/funding/hays-travel-foundation

1. YouthLink Scotland - The Hays Travel Foundation Funding Opportunity. https://www.youthlink.scot/funds/the-hays-travel-foundation/

1. Various regional sources (2025). "Hays Travel: £2m donation milestone achieved on Foundation's tenth anniversary"