Inspire Hounslow

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £265,000 (2024 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 5 working days after Board meeting
• Grant Range: Small Grants up to £1,500; Large Grants £1,500 to £30,000
• Geographic Focus: London Borough of Hounslow, with priority areas in Bedfont, Feltham, Heston, Cranford, and Hanworth

Contact Details

Website: https://inspirehounslow.co.uk

Email: info@inspirehounslow.co.uk

Phone: 020 8560 7355

Address: South Street House, 51 South Street, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 7AA

Application Portal: https://inspirehounslow.co.uk/funding/

Overview

INSPIRE HOUNSLOW (Charity No. 1104413) was registered on 17 June 2004, having previously operated as Hounslow Cultural and Community Services since 1998. The charity's mission is to inspire disadvantaged young people in Hounslow to succeed and live a fulfilling future and contribute to society. With an annual expenditure of £265,000 (2024) and income of £196,410, the organisation operates by making grants to organisations, providing other finance, services, and advocacy/advice/information. INSPIRE HOUNSLOW places helping people to help themselves at the heart of everything they do, working in partnership with others to develop charitable activities throughout the London Borough of Hounslow, one of London's most diverse boroughs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Small Grants

• Amount: Up to £1,500
• Application Method: Rolling basis through online application
• Geographic Priority: Bedfont, Feltham, Heston, Cranford, and Hanworth (though all Hounslow areas eligible)
• Deadlines: Applications reviewed at Board meetings

Large Grants

• Amount: £1,500 to £30,000 per project, per year
• Application Method: Fixed deadline submissions to Large Grants Panel
• Key Submission Periods: Typically May (summer/academic year), October (winter/new term), and February (spring/summer)

Priority Areas

• Projects exclusively benefiting residents of the London Borough of Hounslow
• Youth development and opportunities for disadvantaged young people
• Social welfare initiatives addressing youth, disability, or social/economic disadvantage
• Educational and training programmes (past funding includes horticultural training and apprenticeships)
• Community and voluntary sector initiatives that improve conditions of life
• Projects in the priority geographic areas of Bedfont, Feltham, Heston, Cranford, and Hanworth

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside the London Borough of Hounslow
• Initiatives that do not exclusively benefit Hounslow residents
• Projects not aligned with supporting disadvantaged young people or improving social welfare

Ready to write a winning application for Inspire Hounslow?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save hours and increase your success rate.

Learn more >

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Howard William Simmons - Chair (appointed 22 April 2023)

Howard has lived in Hounslow for over 25 years and brings experience from the public, private, and community sectors. He believes in “the vital role of the community and voluntary sector.”

Linda Suyin Leaney - Vice Chair (appointed 24 April 2021)

With 25+ years in Financial Services, Linda joined INSPIRE HOUNSLOW to “bring fresh youth opportunities to those who need it most” and has a particular interest in community focus and the arts.

Edward Locke - President

Ed served as a Trustee from 2000 before taking on the President role in 2023. With extensive experience managing leisure facilities in a neighbouring local authority, he has contributed to national Charity Commission reviews. Ed is interested in “how horticultural training may contribute to building strong and inclusive communities.”

Heather Janet Jessica Smith - Trustee (appointed 15 March 2023)

Head of UK Programmes at Plan International UK, Heather is a Hounslow resident and new mother with background in sports and community development. She previously held voluntary roles for the British American Football Association as a non-executive director.

Jacqueline Ann Foster - Trustee (appointed 01 November 2021)

Jacquie brings 30+ years of NHS experience with skills in workforce planning and project management, and lives in Brentford.

Mandeep Kaur - Trustee (appointed 12 November 2024)

A local Hounslow resident with charity sector finance experience who volunteers with local organisations and cares about serving young people.

Sylvia Ann Cordell - Trustee (appointed 12 November 2024)

Experience in business and community development with background in startup and charity sectors, focusing on horticultural community projects.

Rachit Mohan Sharma - Trustee (appointed 29 November 2023)

Investment and wealth management professional with international work experience and interest in community service and personal wellness.

How to Apply to Inspire Hounslow

How to Apply

Small Grants:

• Detailed project description
• Target beneficiary information
• Clear explanation of project need
• Comprehensive budget breakdown
• Partnership information (if applicable)

Large Grants:

1. Review the Large Grant Guidance Document available on the website
2. Submit application by the specified deadline for consideration at the Large Grants Panel
3. Email grants@inspirehounslow.co.uk with any questions

Eligibility:

• Open to community groups, registered charities, and other constituted organisations
• Projects must exclusively benefit residents of London Borough of Hounslow
• Priority given to projects in Bedfont, Feltham, Heston, Cranford, and Hanworth

Decision Timeline

• Applications reviewed at Board meetings
• Applicants notified within 5 working days of the Board meeting

Possible Outcomes

• Fully funded
• Partially funded
• Funded with caveats or conditions
• Declined

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication restrictions have been published. Organisations are encouraged to contact INSPIRE HOUNSLOW for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

INSPIRE HOUNSLOW-Specific Guidance:

1. Geographic Focus: Applications from the priority areas of Bedfont, Feltham, Heston, Cranford, and Hanworth appear to be particularly encouraged, as these areas are among the 20% most deprived wards across Greater London with higher measures of deprivation, poverty and poor health.

1. Complete Applications: The charity emphasises the importance of carefully completing all sections of the application form. Incomplete applications may delay processing or affect decision-making.

1. Clear Demonstration of Need: Applicants should clearly explain why the project is needed and the specific problem it addresses for disadvantaged young people in Hounslow.

1. Budget Transparency: Provide a detailed, comprehensive budget breakdown showing exactly how grant funds will be used. This aligns with the charity's value of Respect through “transparent communications.”

1. Partnership Approach: INSPIRE HOUNSLOW describes itself as “developing charitable activities in partnership with others,” suggesting collaborative projects may be viewed favourably.

1. Exclusive Hounslow Benefit: Projects must exclusively benefit residents of the London Borough of Hounslow - this is a hard requirement, not a preference.

1. Alignment with Values: Applications that demonstrate passion and tenacity (Inspiration), realistic goals with measurable progress (Pragmatism), transparency (Respect), and community involvement (Openness) will resonate with the Board's stated values.

Example of Funded Project:

Cultivate London received funding from INSPIRE HOUNSLOW for apprenticeships and education courses for trainees, demonstrating the charity's support for horticultural training and youth employment programmes across multiple years.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Two grant tiers: Small Grants (up to £1,500) available on rolling basis; Large Grants (£1,500-£30,000) with fixed submission periods
• Exclusive Hounslow focus: Only apply if your project exclusively benefits Hounslow residents - this is non-negotiable
• Priority geography: Projects in Bedfont, Feltham, Heston, Cranford, and Hanworth may have strategic advantage given identified deprivation levels
• Quick turnaround: With notification within 5 working days of Board meetings, this is a relatively fast decision-making funder
• Complete applications matter: Take time to thoroughly complete all sections - the charity specifically emphasises this
• Youth focus is key: All projects should clearly demonstrate benefit to disadvantaged young people
• Check deadlines: For Large Grants, note the specific submission periods for panel consideration
• Partnership-oriented: Frame your application to show collaborative approach and community involvement, reflecting the charity's partnership-based operating model

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Heathrow Community Trust
• The Hampstead Wells And Campden Trust
• Hampton Fuel Allotment
• Wakefield And Tetley Trust
• Elft Charity
• Tower Hill Trust
• H&f Giving
• Sir Walter St. John's Educational Charity
• Young Camden Foundation
• Young Brent Foundation

References

1. INSPIRE HOUNSLOW Charity Commission Register, Charity No. 1104413 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4007873
2. INSPIRE HOUNSLOW Official Website - https://inspirehounslow.co.uk/
3. INSPIRE HOUNSLOW Funding Page - https://inspirehounslow.co.uk/funding/
4. INSPIRE HOUNSLOW Trustees Page - https://inspirehounslow.co.uk/trustees/
5. Charity Commission Financial History for INSPIRE HOUNSLOW - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4007873/financial-history
6. Companies House - INSPIRE HOUNSLOW (Company No. 03548669) - https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03548669
7. Cultivate London - “Inspire Hounslow Funds Cultivate London” - https://cultivatelondon.org/inspire-hounslow-funds-cultivate-london/
8. Hounslow Connect - Inspire Hounslow Profile - https://hounslowconnect.com/organisations/inspire-hounslow