Irish Youth Foundation (uk) Limited

Charity Number: 328265

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £272,677 (charitable activities expenditure, 2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Applications reviewed in Autumn (submitted Spring/Summer)
  • Grant Range: Up to £10,000 (average £5,000)
  • Geographic Focus: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
  • Total Awarded Since Inception: Over £5.5 million

Contact Details

Website: www.iyf.org.uk

Email: info@iyf.org.uk / linda@iyf.org.uk

Phone: 020 8563 8232

Address: 5 Blacks Road, London, W6 9DT

Sign up for grants mailing list: Available on website to receive updates on application openings

Overview

Established in 1989, the Irish Youth Foundation (UK) Limited is the only national charity in Britain specifically aimed at helping disadvantaged young Irish people and their families. The foundation is registered with the Charity Commission (charity number 328265) and operates as a company limited by guarantee (company number 02397878). With total income of £595,846 and charitable activities expenditure of £272,677 in 2023, the foundation has awarded over £5.5 million in grants since its inception. The organization is almost entirely volunteer-run, with 7 trustees and 6 volunteers, ensuring that funds raised go directly to where they are most needed. In 2024, the foundation introduced a new bursary programme supported by Giving | Grousbeck Fazzalari in association with Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University. The Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith received the Quality Award 2024 for their excellent work and achievements for the Irish community over many years, awarded over and above their annual grant.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community and Youth Projects (England, Scotland, Wales)

  • Small Grants: Up to £3,000
  • Standard Grants: £3,000 - £10,000
  • Application method: Annual application cycle (opens Spring/Summer, decisions in Autumn)

Community and Youth Projects (Northern Ireland)

  • Up to £10,000 (typically around £5,000)
  • Application method: Annual application cycle (opens Spring/Summer, decisions in Autumn)

Lawlor Education Grants Programme

  • For Irish students at UK universities
  • Details available through separate application process

New Bursary Programme (2024)

  • Launched in partnership with Giving | Grousbeck Fazzalari
  • Association with Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University

Priority Areas

Projects must support disadvantaged young people with Irish heritage:

  • Age ranges: Under 25 in Northern Ireland; under 30 in England, Scotland, and Wales
  • Training/Counselling: Employment and training schemes
  • Mental & Physical Health: Mental health support and well-being programmes
  • Rehabilitation: Drug and alcohol rehabilitation programmes
  • Advice/Advocacy: Support services and advocacy work
  • Youth Work: General youth development activities
  • Family Support: Services for women and children escaping violence
  • Homelessness: Support for homeless young people
  • Educational Activities: Cultural and social activities encouraging awareness of Irish heritage
  • Cross-Community Initiatives: Peace-building and community integration projects (particularly in Northern Ireland)
  • Travellers Support: Specific support for Irish Traveller communities
  • Disability Services: Support for young people with disabilities
  • Young Offenders: Rehabilitation and support programmes

What They Don't Fund

  • General appeals
  • Academic research
  • Alleviating deficits
  • Replacing statutory funding
  • Capital bids (building projects, equipment purchases)
  • Overseas travel
  • Individual applicants (except university students through specific programmes)
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Governance and Leadership

Patron

Dara Ó Briain - UK and Ireland's favourite stand-up comedians and television presenters

Board of Trustees

John Dwyer (Chairman)

From Dundalk, former Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers for 20 years, trustee since 2004. "In this busy world, it's important for me to give back to those less fortunate than myself."

Virginia Lawlor

Co-founder of Lawlor Foundation in 1988, retired psychotherapist. “I believe in equal opportunities for education no matter where you start.”

Dr. Martin McMullan

CEO of YouthAction NI since 2022, extensive experience in youth work and peace-building. “The IYF (UK) has played a significant role in supporting local youth and community groups.”

Tiarnán O'Rourke

Originally from Galway, founding team member of Evercore's European business in 2006, investment banking career, passionate about helping disadvantaged young Irish people in the UK.

Triona Dowd

From Cloghane, Dingle Peninsula, manages sustainability finance reporting at Reckitt. “Every child deserves a chance in life.”

David McGovern

Partner at Exponent Private Equity, born and raised in Dublin, educational background in commerce and international political economy.

Advisory Structure

The foundation employs an independent Advisory Committee comprising specialists in the youth and community sector. This expert committee uses well-defined criteria to assess grant applications annually and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications open in Spring/early Summer each year. Interested organizations should:

  1. Sign up to the grants mailing list via the website (www.iyf.org.uk) to receive notification when applications open
  2. Complete online application through the foundation's portal when the window opens
  3. Submit by specified deadline - only one application per organization is permitted
  4. Wait for independent review by the Advisory Committee

Decision Timeline

  • Application Period: Spring/early Summer (specific dates announced via mailing list)
  • Review Period: Applications independently reviewed by Advisory Committee
  • Decision Notification: Autumn
  • Grant Duration: One year only

Reapplication Policy

Grants are awarded for one year only. Organizations may reapply in subsequent years, with no restrictions on unsuccessful applicants submitting new applications.

Application Success Factors

Evidence from Recent Awards

The Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith received the Quality Award 2024, demonstrating the foundation values organizations showing:

  • Excellence in work and achievements
  • Long-term commitment to the Irish community
  • Demonstrated impact over many years

Foundation Priorities Based on Trustee Statements

The trustees' quotes reveal what matters to the foundation:

  • Equal opportunities: Virginia Lawlor emphasizes “equal opportunities for education no matter where you start”
  • Giving back: John Dwyer focuses on supporting “those less fortunate”
  • Every child's chance: Triona Dowd believes “every child deserves a chance in life”
  • Local support: Dr. Martin McMullan highlights the foundation's “significant role in supporting local youth and community groups”

Alignment Factors

Projects supported include practical, on-the-ground initiatives:

  • Help for the homeless
  • Employment and training schemes
  • Women and children escaping violence
  • Young offenders programmes
  • Irish Travellers support
  • Mental health initiatives
  • Cross-community work in Northern Ireland
  • Cultural activities (e.g., in Liverpool)
  • Practical support for young people with mental and emotional difficulties (e.g., in Central London)

Key Characteristics of Successful Applications

Based on the foundation's volunteer-run structure and mission:

  • Clear demonstration of support for disadvantaged young Irish people and their families
  • Particular emphasis on Irish heritage connection
  • Projects addressing multiple priority areas are likely favored
  • Evidence of practical, direct impact on beneficiaries
  • Alignment with the foundation's commitment to ensuring funds go directly to those in need
  • Projects that would not receive statutory funding

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Irish heritage is central: While projects must serve disadvantaged young people, particular emphasis is placed on those of Irish heritage. Make the Irish connection explicit in your application.
  • Volunteer-run organization values efficiency: The foundation prides itself on being “almost entirely voluntary” with funds going “directly to where they are most needed.” Demonstrate how grant funds will be used efficiently and directly for beneficiaries.
  • Average grant is £5,000: While grants up to £10,000 are available, the typical award is around £5,000. Budget requests should reflect realistic project costs and the foundation's giving patterns.
  • One-year grants mean annual reapplication: Plan for annual applications and demonstrate sustained project impact that justifies continued support year after year.
  • Independent specialist review: An expert Advisory Committee reviews applications using “well-defined criteria.” Applications should be thorough, evidence-based, and professionally presented to withstand specialist scrutiny.
  • No capital or deficit funding: The foundation focuses on revenue grants for project delivery. Ensure your application is for operational costs, not capital purchases or covering existing shortfalls.
  • Sign up for the mailing list: Application windows are time-limited and announced via the grants mailing list. Early preparation is essential as you'll need to be ready when the window opens.

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