Inspire Hounslow

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £265,000 (2024 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 5 working days after monthly Board meeting
• Grant Range: Up to £1,500 (Small Grants); Large Grants currently under review
• 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 organization operates by making grants to organizations, providing other finance, services, and advocacy/advice/information. The charity is currently reviewing its Grant Giving Strategy for 2025/26, reflecting a strategic approach to maximizing impact for disadvantaged young people in one of London's most diverse boroughs. 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.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants (Currently Open)

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

Large Grants (Currently Paused)

• Currently under review as part of the 2025/26 Grant Giving Strategy
• Previously available for larger-scale projects
• Expected to reopen once strategy review is complete

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 programs (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 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Join the Launch List

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 neighboring 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 Gill - Trustee (appointed 12 November 2024)

A local Hounslow resident with charity sector finance experience who volunteers with local organizations 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.

Application Process and Timeline

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: Currently paused pending completion of Grant Giving Strategy review for 2025/26. Check website for updates on when applications will reopen.

Eligibility:

• Open to community groups, registered charities, and other constituted organizations
• 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 monthly Board meetings
• Applicants notified within 5 working days of the Board meeting
• Typical cycle from application deadline to notification is approximately 2-3 weeks

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. Organizations 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 emphasizes 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 favorably.

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 programs across multiple years.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Monthly deadlines: Plan ahead for monthly Board meetings; check website for specific dates and submit by published deadlines
• 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 emphasizes this
• Youth focus is key: All projects should clearly demonstrate benefit to disadvantaged young people
• Watch for Large Grants: Monitor the website for reopening of Large Grants program for larger-scale projects requiring more than £1,500
• 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
• Hampton Fuel Allotment
• THE HAMPSTEAD WELLS AND CAMPDEN TRUST
• Tower Hill Trust
• H&F Giving
• Sir Walter St. John's Educational Charity
• The Kensington and Chelsea Foundation
• Young Camden Foundation
• Charity of Richard Cloudesley
• Lewisham Local

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