Streetsmart - Action For The Homeless

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,056,000 (2023 campaign)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (43 charities funded from 2023 campaign)
• Decision Time: 3 weeks for Stage One; full process 3-4 months
• Grant Range: £500 - £40,000 (depending on region and project)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (24 cities), with 60% focus on youth homelessness

Contact Details

Website: www.streetsmart.org.uk

Phone: 07986 049416

Email: glenn.pougnet@streetsmart.org.uk

Grant Applications: grants@landaid.org (via LandAid partnership)

Key Personnel:

• Glenn Pougnet, Director: 07986 049416
• Jennie Blouet, Head of Campaign: 07920 063365
• Kimberley Coke, Head of Comms: 07704 935005

Overview

StreetSmart - Action for the Homeless (Charity No. 1071657) was founded in 1998 by William Sieghart and Mary-Lou Sturridge with a simple but powerful model: participating restaurants add a voluntary £1 donation to diners' bills during November and December. Since then, StreetSmart has distributed millions to small, locally-based homelessness charities across the UK. In 2023, the charity achieved its most successful year, raising over £1 million and distributing grants totalling over £740,000 to 43 charities supporting youth homelessness. With total income of £1,241,554 (2024), StreetSmart partners with LandAid to ensure 100% of donations go directly to frontline services, with all central costs covered by their sponsor. The charity focuses particularly on progressive interventions that help people move from crisis to stability and independent living, supporting services including emergency accommodation, mental health support, training, advocacy, and housing pathways.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

StreetSmart Youth Homelessness Support Fund (in partnership with LandAid)

• London: Up to £40,000
• Major cities (Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, etc.): Up to £10,000
• Smaller regions: £2,000 - £5,000
• Application method: Two-stage application process, specific funding rounds
• Recent awards: 43 charities funded with grants ranging from £1,300 to £78,000

General StreetSmart Grants

• Range: £500 - £20,000 (depending on project/service)
• Application method: Written applications during December, followed by site visits January-February
• Rolling consideration for charities working with homeless populations

Priority Areas

Primary Focus (60% of funding):

• Youth homelessness projects (ages 16-25)
• Housing support and pathways to independent living
• Employability and skills training

Broader Homelessness Support:

• Outreach teams working with 'hidden' homeless populations
• Day centres providing basic needs (meals, showers, clothing) and companionship
• Mental and physical health interventions, including counselling and substance abuse support
• Advocacy services (family mediation, benefits, accommodation advice)
• Supported housing and therapeutic activities
• Education, training, and employment programmes
• Housing setup costs for those transitioning to independent living

Geographic Priorities:

• Small, locally-based charities across 24 UK cities
• Regional funding pots with different amounts allocated by area
• Donations reinvested in communities where they were raised

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside the UK
• Retrospective funding for completed projects
• Projects that are the duty of statutory funders
• Projects organizations could reasonably fund themselves
• Unrestricted grants for general running costs
• Projects in locations not listed in their regional allocation table
• Charities not working progressively with their client group

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Governance and Leadership

Chair & Founder: William Matthew Timothy Sieghart CBE

• Founded StreetSmart in 1998 alongside Mary-Lou Sturridge
• Also founded Forward Publishing
• Known for “poetry pharmacy” work

Director: Glenn Pougnet (since 2006)

• Contact: 07986 049416, glenn.pougnet@streetsmart.org.uk
• Previously worked in publishing for 13 years
• Quote: "You don't necessarily have to think out of the box – as so many problems just require a better box."
• Emphasizes learning business acumen for effective nonprofit management

Other Trustees:

• Rosie Boycott
• Nicholas Beresford Brer Emley
• Mary Lou Sturridge (Co-Founder, Former Director of The Groucho Club)

Operational Model: StreetSmart partners with LandAid, who cover all central campaign costs, ensuring 100% of donations reach frontline charities. This partnership enables strategic planning and eliminates deductions from donations.

Quote from William Sieghart: “The campaign has endured thanks to the generosity and goodwill of those in the industry that have supported and of course the diners who donate time and time again.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Youth Homelessness Support Fund:

1. Stage One: Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) via LandAid portal
2. Stage Two: If shortlisted, complete full application with detailed project plan
3. Contact: grants@landaid.org for questions
4. Download guidance document from LandAid website before applying

For General StreetSmart Grants:

1. Submit written application during December
2. All charities are visited by at least one StreetSmart representative
3. Site visits conducted January-February
4. Trustees review visit reports and make funding decisions
5. Use charity enquiry form on streetsmart.org.uk website

Partnership Applications: Welcome, with identified lead partner to hold funding

Decision Timeline

• Stage One Review: Within 3 weeks of deadline
• Unsuccessful Stage One Applicants: Notified by end of July
• Funds Disbursed: By 31 July following annual campaign
• Overall Timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from campaign end to grant distribution
• Project Delivery: Must deliver outcomes within 12 months of receiving funds

Success Rates

• 2023 Campaign: 43 charities received grants from £740,000+ distributed
• Broader Programme: 278 charities funded in financial year 2022-23, totalling £745,205
• Specific success rate percentage not publicly disclosed
• Competitive process with careful selection and mandatory site visits

Impact Statistics (2023):

• 2,724 meals provided
• 1,180 beds funded
• 94 new jobs created
• 197 successful training schemes
• 692 people received housing advice
• Over 1,000 young people supported in London, hundreds more across UK

Reapplication Policy

• Unsuccessful applicants can reapply
• Same project unlikely to be successful within 12 months unless significant change to local/regional situation and need
• Feedback provided on Stage Two applications
• Feedback on EOI/Stage One “where possible” but not guaranteed
• Organizations encouraged to contact grants team to discuss reapplication prospects

Application Success Factors

What StreetSmart Values:

• Progressive interventions: Projects that move beyond basic needs to address root causes of homelessness
• Local impact: Small, community-based organizations with deep local knowledge
• Measurable outcomes: Clear deliverables within 12-month timeframe
• Youth focus: 60% of funding prioritizes young people aged 16-25
• Sustainability pathways: Projects leading to independent living, employment, and stability

Recent Funded Projects (Examples):

• Centrepoint (London): £78,000 for 18 new single occupancy modular homes
• Change Please Foundation: £40,000 for barista training programme
• Youth & Community Connexions: £42,500 to expand positive pathway mentoring
• Open Homes Nottingham: £1,300 for smaller-scale intervention

Language and Terminology:

• Focus on “getting people off the streets and onto their feet”
• “Progressive work with client group”
• “Pathways to independence”
• “Sustainable independent living”
• “Uplifting small, locally-based charities”

Strategic Advice from LandAid Partnership:

• "Pay attention to specific fund criteria and LandAid's values"
• “We are flexible and try to work with applicants to co-design projects”
• For capital projects lacking expertise: submit EOI, request free pro-bono professional support, then submit full proposal
• Emphasize collaboration throughout application process

Common Success Factors:

• Demonstrable experience working with homeless or at-risk populations
• Clear connection between project and measurable impact
• Realistic budget and timeline
• Strong local partnerships and community connections
• Focus on preventative and transformative interventions, not just crisis response
• Alignment with specific regional funding priorities

Glenn Pougnet's Advice for Nonprofits:

• “Learn a bit about business first” – effective charities need business acumen
• Operate efficiently while maintaining “flair and enthusiasm”
• Create “a better box” rather than always thinking outside it
• Keep approach simple and focused

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Regional targeting is critical: Ensure your project location matches available funding pots and regional allocations – applications outside designated areas will be rejected
• Youth focus wins: With 60% of funding dedicated to 16-25 age group, applications supporting young people experiencing homelessness are strongly prioritized
• Progressive not palliative: StreetSmart seeks projects that create pathways to independence, not just temporary relief – emphasize training, employment, mental health, and housing stability outcomes
• Site visits matter: Every funded charity receives a visit from StreetSmart representatives, so be prepared to demonstrate your work in person and build relationships beyond the application
• 100% model builds trust: All donation money reaches charities (LandAid covers costs), so emphasize efficient use of funds and direct impact on beneficiaries
• Small and local preferred: StreetSmart explicitly focuses on uplifting small, locally-based organizations with deep community connections – demonstrate your grassroots credibility
• Use LandAid resources: Take advantage of free pro-bono professional support for capital projects and co-design opportunities – the partnership approach is collaborative, not transactional

References

1. Charity Commission Register - StreetSmart-Action for the Homeless (Charity No. 1071657): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3954261/full-print

1. LandAid - StreetSmart Youth Homelessness Support Fund 2025: https://landaid.org/apply-for-funding-support/grants-landaid-offers/streetsmart-youth-homelessness-support-fund-2025/

1. StreetSmart Website - Charities Page: https://www.streetsmart.org.uk/charities/

1. LandAid - “LandAid and StreetSmart award grants totalling over £740,000 to charities tackling youth homelessness across the UK”: https://landaid.org/news-and-stories/landaid-and-streetsmart-award-grants-totalling-over-740000-to-charities-tackling-youth-homelessness-across-the-uk/

1. LandAid - Grant Eligibility Criteria and FAQs: https://www.landaid.org/apply-for-funding-support/grants-landaid-offers/faqs/

1. We Give Digital Services - "I'm Glenn Pougnet and this is #MYCHARITY": https://wegivedigitalservices.co.uk/blog/im-glenn-pougnet-and-this-is-mycharity/

1. Manchester Community Central - “StreetSmart – Funding for Homeless charities”: https://www.manchestercommunitycentral.org/news/streetsmart-%E2%80%93-funding-homeless-charities

1. Restaurant Online - "StreetSmart's latest campaign breaks £1m mark to tackle homelessness": https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2024/04/16/streetsmart-s-latest-campaign-breaks-1m-mark-to-tackle-homelessness

1. LandAid - “StreetSmart in partnership with LandAid reveal £1 million raised to tackle homelessness”: https://www.landaid.org/news-and-stories/streetsmart-in-partnership-with-landaid-reveal-1-million-raised-to-tackle-homelessness/

1. LandAid - StreetSmart Campaign Overview: https://landaid.org/support-our-mission/streetsmart/