The Peter Cruddas Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £16.5m+ distributed to date (over 250 charities)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Bi-annual deadlines (March 1st and September 1st)
• Grant Range: £500 - £25,000 (typically, but no hard limits)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Application Method: Invitation only (since September 2021)

Contact Details

• Email: Admin@petercruddasfoundation.org.uk
• Phone: 0203 003 8360
• Charity Number: 1117323
• Status: Invitation-only applications since September 2021

Overview

The Peter Cruddas Foundation was established in December 2006 by billionaire financier and entrepreneur Peter Cruddas (now Baron Cruddas). Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed over £16.5 million to more than 250 charities across England and Wales. The Foundation's core mission is to help disadvantaged and disengaged young people aged 14-30 pursue pathways to education, training, and employment, with the ultimate goal of helping them achieve financial independence. Peter Cruddas draws on his personal experience of disadvantage—leaving school at age 15 due to difficult family circumstances—to inform the Foundation's work. Due to overwhelming demand during the pandemic, the Foundation transitioned to an invitation-only model in September 2021 to better manage applications and reduce lengthy decision periods.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation offers flexible grant amounts, typically between £500 and £25,000, though there are no strict minimum or maximum limits. Multi-year funding is available for appropriate projects.

Application Schedule:

• Bi-annual deadlines: March 1st and September 1st (invitation-only)

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on three main funding streams:

1. Pathways to Education, Training, and Employment: Support for disadvantaged or disengaged young people aged 14-30 to pursue educational and career opportunities leading to financial independence

1. Work Experience and Skills Projects: Programmes providing practical work experience and skills development for young people aged 16-30

1. Youth Work in London: Evening programmes specifically for disadvantaged young people aged 16-30 in London

Examples of Previously Funded Projects:

• Royal Opera House: “The Chance to Dance” education project and sponsorship of ballet students
• Street Football Association: Year-round sport and developmental activity delivered with professional football clubs, combining football training with life skills development
• Ignite Trust: Education and employment support projects
• Enterprise Bootcamp: Programme supporting young entrepreneurs with pitching events and funding opportunities

What They Don't Fund

• Capital projects (explicitly excluded)
• Organizations outside England and Wales (no funding for Scotland or Northern Ireland)
• Non-registered charities (CICs, social enterprises, and individuals are not eligible)
• Geographic restriction: Only charities registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, benefiting people living in England and Wales

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Peter Cruddas (Baron Cruddas) - Founder and Trustee: Established the Foundation based on his personal experience of disadvantage. Left school at 15 and credits the Boy Scouts with helping him escape difficult circumstances. He stated: “In my case, the Boy Scouts enabled me to escape a violent home situation and the inner city. I sincerely believe that I would not be where I am today had I not become a member. The mentoring provided helped me realise that I could achieve things which, in turn, built my self confidence.”

• Annabel Lily McCullagh - Trustee (appointed 2023), occupation: Investor

• Martin Paisner CBE MA LLM - Trustee

Governance Approach: Trustees receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Foundation operates with priority funding streams that trustees feel enthusiastic about, and they play an active role in selecting charities that align with the Foundation's mission.

From Peter Cruddas on the Foundation's ambition: “To date, in excess of £11 million has been granted or pledged – among some 50 charities - and it is my hope that total donations will exceed £100 million.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Peter Cruddas Foundation does not have a public application process. Since September 1st, 2021, the Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. This change was made in response to overwhelming application volume during the pandemic, which stretched the Foundation's resources and created lengthy decision periods.

For Invited Organizations:

• Application deadlines: March 1st and September 1st
• Complete the official application form in full
• Submit only the application form, budget details (Excel sheet if necessary), and a one-page covering letter (single-sided A4)

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a registered charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales
• Must benefit people living in England and Wales
• Must focus on young people aged 14-30 (specific age ranges vary by funding stream)

Getting on Their Radar

The Foundation reviews past applications as a resource to identify charities working in their areas of interest. Specific documented approaches for getting invited:

• Track Record in Youth Services: The Foundation specifically looks for charities with proven experience helping disadvantaged and disengaged young people aged 14-30 with education, training, and employment pathways

• Past Application History: The Foundation maintains records of past applications and may reach out to organizations that previously applied but weren't funded, if their work aligns with current priorities

• Geographic and Sector Alignment: Focus your organization's work on the Foundation's priority areas—particularly if you work with disadvantaged youth in London or provide pathways to employment in England and Wales

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadlines: March 1st and September 1st (bi-annual cycle)
• Specific Decision Timeline: Not publicly disclosed, though the Foundation acknowledged lengthy decision periods were a concern, leading to their invitation-only model to improve this

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. The Foundation acknowledged receiving “more applications than ever before” during the pandemic, which contributed to their shift to an invitation-only model. Over their history, they have supported over 250 charities with £16.5+ million in total funding.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not explicitly documented in available materials. Given the invitation-only model, organizations are likely reconsidered if the Foundation reviews their previous applications during their selection process.

Application Success Factors

For organizations fortunate enough to receive an invitation to apply, the Foundation has provided specific guidance:

Demonstrating Management Capability: The Foundation explicitly looks for applicants to “demonstrate that they can manage the amount they have applied for and how they intend to continue (if appropriate) after the funding has been spent.” This indicates they prioritize:

• Financial management capability proportionate to the grant requested
• Sustainability planning beyond the grant period
• Clear plans for continuation or exit strategy

Alignment with Founder's Values: Peter Cruddas has been explicit about his personal connection to the cause, stating his passion stems from his own disadvantaged background. Applications that resonate with themes of:

• Mentoring and relationship-building (as he credits the Boy Scouts with transforming his life)
• Building self-confidence in young people
• Creating pathways out of difficult circumstances
• Financial independence as an outcome

Priority Funding Streams: “Trustees have Priority Funding Streams to help them achieve the aims and objectives of The Foundation, with these Priority Funding Streams taking precedence in any funding round.” Focus on:

• Education, training, and employment pathways (ages 14-30)
• Work experience and skills projects (ages 16-30)
• Evening youth work in London (ages 16-30)

Trustee Enthusiasm: The Foundation explicitly states it “supports charities that Peter and his fellow Trustees feel enthusiastic about,” suggesting that compelling, passionate project descriptions may resonate more strongly.

Examples of Successful Project Types: Based on documented awards:

• Arts-based youth development (Royal Opera House ballet programme)
• Sport for development combining life skills (Street Football Association)
• Enterprise and entrepreneurship training (Enterprise Bootcamp)
• Direct education and employment support (Ignite Trust)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only since 2021: You cannot submit an unsolicited application. Focus on building an excellent track record working with disadvantaged young people aged 14-30 in England and Wales to potentially get on their radar for future rounds.

• Demonstrate sustainability and management capacity: The Foundation explicitly wants to see you can manage the funds and have a plan for continuing impact after the grant period ends.

• Financial independence is the ultimate goal: Frame your work around helping young people achieve financial independence through education, training, and employment pathways.

• Personal connection matters: Peter Cruddas's personal story of overcoming disadvantage through mentorship shapes the Foundation's priorities—emphasize mentoring, confidence-building, and transformative relationships.

• Multi-year funding is possible: The Foundation is open to funding projects for more than one year, and there are no strict upper limits on grant amounts (though £500-£25,000 is typical).

• No capital funding: Focus exclusively on programme/project funding, not building or equipment purchases.

• Bi-annual cycle: If invited, be prepared for March 1st or September 1st deadlines with application form, budget, and one-page cover letter only.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE BUFFINI CHAO FOUNDATION
• The Greenslade Family Foundation
• Wellington Management UK Foundation
• Man Group PLC Charitable Trust
• Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation
• THE JOHN S COHEN FOUNDATION
• The Mohn Westlake Foundation
• THE BORIS KARLOFF CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• THE KENNETH & SUSAN GREEN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• THE RIX-THOMPSON-ROTHENBERG FOUNDATION

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities - THE PETER CRUDDAS FOUNDATION (1117323). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4026793 (Accessed: December 2024)

• Get Grants - Peter Cruddas Foundation. Available at: https://www.getgrants.org.uk/peter-cruddas-foundation/ (Accessed: December 2024)

• Action Together - Peter Cruddas Foundation. Available at: https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/peter-cruddas-foundation (Accessed: December 2024)

• Catalyst Stockton - Peter Cruddas Foundation funding information. Available at: https://www.catalyststockton.org/peter-cruddas-foundation/ (Accessed: December 2024)

• SCIPS - Peter Cruddas Foundation funding opportunities for disadvantaged young people. Available at: https://www.scips.org.uk/news/funding/7313-peter-cruddas-foundation-the-funding-for-projects-that-support-disadvantaged-and-disengaged-young-people-england-wales-deadline-1-st-september-2025 (Accessed: December 2024)

• VODA - Peter Cruddas Foundation. Available at: https://voda.org.uk/peter-cruddas-foundation/ (Accessed: December 2024)

• Richmond CVS - Peter Cruddas Foundation funding information. Available at: https://richmondcvs.org.uk/funding-peter-cruddas-foundation-next-deadline-1-sep/ (Accessed: December 2024)