The Jolly Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Jolly Foundation's themes of youth development, skills development and youth centres, and its aim of helping young people realise their full potential, are the clearest guide to fit, and it prioritises the UK.
- Its grants are primarily available to charities in the UK, so organisations that are not charities or are based elsewhere should check this before applying.
- The foundation does not state a typical grant size, and its grants of £100K and £41k are examples rather than limits, so set your request by what your project needs.
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis: you submit a formal application, which is checked for eligibility, and then the trustees assess it against criteria on alignment with the foundation's objectives and public benefit, and they may visit your premises or consult outside experts.
- The foundation has partnered with eight charities in its latest reported period and works with organisations that share its vision and values, so a clear match with that vision matters more than a quick application.
Overview
The Jolly Foundation is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1209791).
The Jolly Foundation exists to support young people by investing in projects that empower them to realise their full potential. It has its roots in a fundraiser for Bolton Lads and Girls Club, a youth club that was facing closure. Its annual giving was £146,091 according to the Charity Commission register, and it has selected and partnered with eight charities, almost all in the UK.
What they fund
Priority Areas
The foundation invests in environments and projects that empower young people to realise their full potential, seeking to level the playing field. It supports projects that equip young people with skills and confidence, and describes its approach as hands-on, results-driven and focused on lasting change and measurable outcomes. It works with a range of organisations that share its vision and values; grants are primarily available to charities in the UK. Trustees assess applications against agreed criteria for alignment with the charity's objectives and public benefit. Approved grants are governed by agreements setting out purposes, funding conditions, reporting requirements and milestones, and monitoring information is reviewed to assess effectiveness and impact.
Themes
- Youth development
- Skills development
- Youth centres
Geographic Focus
Priority: The UK.
How to apply
Applicants submit a formal application, which is assessed for eligibility.
Application success factors
What the charity says:
- The trustees assess applications against agreed criteria for alignment with the charity's objectives and public benefit.
- The foundation may arrange visits to applicants' premises in some cases.
- The foundation may consult third-party experts for peer review.
- Trustees review recipients' monitoring information to assess effectiveness and impact.
Where they fund
Where it says it funds
- United Kingdom
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to The Jolly Foundation.
1 year of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 July 2025 | £5,645,357 | £286,342 | £146,091 | Accounts for year to 31 July 2025 |
- Grants paid, all years: grants to institutions, as reported on the charity register (Part B).
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
- thejollyfoundation.org
- thejollyfoundation.org · read on 31 October 2026
- thejollyfoundation.org/privacy-policy · read on 31 October 2026
- Annual report (year to 31 July 2025)
This profile draws on the funder’s own website as well as its filed accounts.
Sources last checked on 31 October 2026.
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know
At a glance
Applying to The Jolly Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Applying to The Jolly Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required