Jack Petchey Foundation

Charity Number: 1176221

Annual Expenditure: £10.2M
Throughout England, Portugal

Contact Info

Website: www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 020 8252 8000

Email: mail@jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £9.3 million (2023-2024)
  • Total Investment Since 1999: Over £180 million
  • Decision Time: 8 weeks (Leader Award Grants)
  • Grant Range: £150 - £1,200+ (varies by programme)
  • Geographic Focus: London and Essex only
  • Age Focus: Young people aged 11-25

Contact Details

  • Website: www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk
  • Email: mail@jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk
  • Phone: 020 8252 8000
  • Address: 1C Canterbury Crescent, London SW9 7QD

Overview

Founded in 1999 by businessman Sir Jack Petchey CBE (1932-2024), the Jack Petchey Foundation has invested over £180 million to inspire and motivate young people across London and Essex. With an annual giving of £9.3 million (2023-24), the Foundation exists to raise the aspirations of young people, help them take advantage of opportunities and play a full part in society. Sir Jack's famous motto was “If you think you can, you can!” In the 2023-24 academic year, the Foundation directly reached 172,822 young people (a 17% year-on-year increase) and recognised 11,998 Achievement Award winners. The Foundation works exclusively with schools and youth organisations in the statutory and voluntary sectors across London and Essex, supporting young people aged 11-25. Led by CEO Gemma Juma since March 2022, the Foundation maintains a board of trustees including family members of Sir Jack and youth trustees who bring lived experience of the programmes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Achievement Award Scheme (£3.5 million annually)

  • Around 1,500 schools and youth organisations participate
  • Winners receive £300 to spend on something benefiting their school/youth organisation
  • Approximately 12,000 awards made annually
  • Recognises young people who go above and beyond, overcome personal challenges, achieve sporting/musical success, volunteer, and make a difference in their community
  • NOT solely for academic achievements
  • Application method: Organisations must join the scheme; nominations made throughout the year

Individual Grants for Volunteering (IGFV)

  • £150 - £500 per young person (maximum £500, increased from £400 in 2025)
  • Over £1.3 million awarded supporting 5,250+ young people to volunteer in 60+ countries
  • Projects include improving access to clean water, health services in remote areas, environmental programmes, teaching English and Maths
  • Application method: Rolling basis, up to 12 months before volunteering project starts
  • Must involve substantial voluntary work with a UK-based organisation (educational establishments, youth groups, registered charities)

Educational Visit Grants

  • Up to £20 per head, maximum £1,200 per trip (up to 60 young people)
  • Groups can apply twice per year
  • 28,554 young people benefited in 2023-24 (42% increase year-on-year)
  • Currently not available to umbrella/uniformed groups
  • Application method: Rolling applications

Leader Award Grants

  • Up to £1,000 per grant
  • For organisations running the Achievement Award Scheme
  • Recognises adults aged 18+ who have worked/volunteered for at least 12 months
  • Must apply within 6 months of receiving a Leader Award
  • Application method: Online application after receiving Leader Award

Open Grants

  • Variable amounts for specific projects
  • For projects that will benefit generations of young people
  • Application method: By invitation or specific open calls

Student Grants Programme

  • £1,000 per undergraduate student
  • Three-year commitment supporting five students annually
  • Total: £15,000 over three years

Priority Areas

  • Youth achievement and recognition
  • Volunteering and community service (UK and international)
  • Educational enrichment and trips
  • Personal and social development
  • Extra-curricular activities
  • Leadership development for youth workers
  • Public speaking (Speak Out Challenge partnership)
  • Dance education (Step into Dance partnership)

What They Don't Fund

  • Organisations outside London and Essex
  • Projects not benefiting young people aged 11-25
  • Academic achievement solely (for Achievement Awards)
  • Projects with minimal volunteering component (for IGFV)
  • Umbrella/uniformed groups (for Educational Visit Grants currently)
  • Individuals not connected to participating organisations

Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive

Gemma Juma - Appointed CEO in March 2022, previously served as Deputy CEO (2020) and Operations Director (2017). Brings extensive experience from Link Age Southwark and a career spanning policy, delivery, leadership and grant-making across the UK, Europe, East Africa and beyond.

Board of Trustees

  • Amanda - Sir Jack's youngest daughter, joined 2021, 25 years' experience in private aviation sector
  • Ron - Helped create the Foundation in 1999, former Finance Director to Sir Jack's businesses for 30 years
  • Rob - Head of Asset Management at Petchey Holdings Ltd
  • Sonia - Former Vice-Principal of secondary school in East London, A-level maths teacher background
  • Lewis - Youth Trustee (2021), brings perspective from participating in Foundation programmes plus legal experience
  • Riana - Youth Trustee (2023), founding member of Youth Consultation Panel, became full Board Member in 2024
  • Nic - Sir Jack's grandson, joined 2025, 25+ years in technology sector, founded recruitment companies and machine learning/data analytics business

Important Note: No trustees receive remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.

CEO's Vision

The Foundation maintains a strong focus on youth participation and ensuring young people's voices shape decision-making, as demonstrated by the inclusion of youth trustees and a Youth Consultation Panel.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Achievement Award Scheme: Organisations must first join the scheme by applying through the Foundation's website. Once accepted, nominations are made throughout the year.

Individual Grants for Volunteering: Online application up to 12 months before volunteering project starts. No reference required (removed to streamline applications).

Educational Visit Grants: Online application on a rolling basis, can apply twice per year.

Leader Award Grants: Online application within 6 months of receiving a Leader Award. Applications require detailed information about how funds will be spent.

All applications processed through the Foundation's Salesforce-based online portal.

Decision Timeline

Leader Award Grants: Approximately 8 weeks from submission to decision.

Individual Grants for Volunteering: Processing approximately one week faster since 2025 Salesforce implementation improvements.

All applicants receive written notification of decisions. Grant Officers can now review, approve, and track applications in real time, reducing delays across all programmes.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation invested £9.3 million in 2023-24 and directly reached 172,822 young people, indicating substantial funding capacity.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed. This information may be communicated directly to unsuccessful applicants or available by contacting the Foundation directly.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Direct Advice

For Individual Grants for Volunteering:

  • “The Foundation wants to ensure your project involves substantial voluntary work - if your project or trip includes only a small element of volunteering, you are less likely to be successful.”
  • Projects should be “of clear benefit to other young people/the wider community”
  • Must “help raise your aspirations and achieve more out of life”
  • Should “challenge you and increase your personal or social development”
  • Have volunteering as the main focus

For Leader Award Grants:

  • “Applications are assessed and scored, so it is essential to demonstrate how you will spend the funds, and to provide as much information as possible.”
  • “The Foundation wants to fund as many projects as possible and wants to ensure that the project is feasible and realistic.”

For Achievement Awards:

  • Awards are “for young people who have gone above and beyond what might be expected of them”
  • Including “overcoming personal challenges and adversity, achieving sporting and musical success as well as by volunteering and making a difference within their community”
  • "Not intended solely to recognise young people's academic achievements"

Example Funded Projects

  • Thurrock Swimming Club: COVID Recovery Fund to offer 12 months of free swimming lessons to young carers and young adults with special educational needs
  • Reignite Grants: Over 100 grants totalling £800,000+ to help re-engage 18,000+ young people in grassroots activities post-COVID
  • International Volunteering: Projects improving access to clean drinking water, promoting health services in remote areas, supporting local entrepreneurs, environmental programmes with endangered animals, teaching English and Maths in 60+ countries

Key Terminology

The Foundation uses language focused on:

  • “Raising aspirations”
  • “If you think you can, you can!”
  • “Going above and beyond”
  • “Personal and social development”
  • “Making a difference”
  • “Taking advantage of opportunities”
  • “Playing a full part in society”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Geographic restriction is absolute: Only organisations working in London and Essex are eligible. This is non-negotiable.
  1. Age focus is specific: All programmes must benefit young people aged 11-25. Projects outside this age range will not be considered.
  1. Join before you nominate: For Achievement Awards, organisations must first be accepted into the scheme before making nominations - plan ahead for this two-stage process.
  1. Demonstrate substantial impact: For all grants, provide detailed information about how funds will be used and the benefit to young people. Vague applications are less likely to succeed.
  1. Volunteering must be central: For Individual Grants for Volunteering, projects with minimal volunteering components will be rejected. The Foundation is explicit about this requirement.
  1. Look beyond academics: Achievement Awards specifically seek to recognise all-round achievement, not just academic success. Highlight personal growth, community contribution, and overcoming challenges.
  1. Apply early for volunteering grants: You can now apply up to 12 months before your project starts - use this time to strengthen your application and secure funding certainty.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

References

  • Jack Petchey Foundation official website: www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk (Accessed: October 2025)
  • Jack Petchey Foundation Impact Report 2025 (covering 2023-2024 academic year): www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/impact-report-2025/ (Accessed: October 2025)
  • Charity Commission Register, Charity Number 1176221: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1176221 (Accessed: October 2025)
  • Jack Petchey Foundation Grant Programmes pages: www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/opportunities/grant-programmes/ (Accessed: October 2025)
  • Individual Grants for Volunteering guidance: www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/opportunities/grant-programmes/individual-grants-for-volunteering/ (Accessed: October 2025)
  • Leader Award Grants guidance and FAQ: www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/opportunities/grant-programmes/leader-awards/ (Accessed: October 2025)
  • Meet Our Trustees page: www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/about-us/meet-the-team/meet-our-trustees/ (Accessed: October 2025)
  • About the Foundation: www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/about-us/about-the-foundation/ (Accessed: October 2025)
  • “Changes to the Individual Grants for Volunteering Programme”: www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/news/changes-to-the-individual-grants-for-volunteering-programme/ (Accessed: October 2025)
  • “Unveiling our 2025 Impact Report”: www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/news/unveiling-our-2025-impact-report/ (Accessed: October 2025)