The Places Foundation

Charity Number: 505813

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (100+ organisations funded since 2019)
  • Decision Time: Not specified (applications open twice yearly)
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £25,000
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

Email: gst@placesforpeople.co.uk

Phone: 020 7483 3820

Website: https://www.placesforpeople.co.uk/about-us/community/places-foundation-impact-fund/

Address: 305 Gray's Inn Road, London

Overview

The Places Foundation (Charity Number 505813) is the charitable arm of Places for People, the UK's leading social enterprise. Established to improve the quality of life for people and communities, the Foundation particularly focuses on those experiencing disadvantage due to exclusion from the labour market and inadequate access to essential services. Operating throughout England and Wales, the Foundation opens for applications twice yearly through its Impact Fund, offering grants to not-for-profit organisations. Since launching the Impact Fund in 2019, the Foundation has supported over 100 charities and organisations with vital funding. The Foundation's approach combines grant-making with broader social impact initiatives, supported by the extensive network and resources of Places for People Group.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Places Foundation Impact Fund

  • Grant Amount: Grants of £5,000 are standard, with larger grants up to £25,000 available
  • Application Method: Applications open twice yearly (rolling basis when open)
  • Current Status: Applications currently closed; next round opens Spring 2026
  • Eligibility: Not-for-profit organisations across England and Wales

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds projects addressing four key themes:

  1. Health and Wellbeing - Initiatives that increase physical activity, improve mental health, or reduce loneliness
  1. Education, Training and Employment - Programmes providing opportunities to access education, training and employment pathways
  1. Financial and Digital Inclusion - Projects sustaining tenancies and strengthening financial and digital inclusion, including supporting people with financial challenges and delivering digital/financial literacy training
  1. Sustainable and Resilient Communities - Efforts tackling food poverty and supporting local front-line charities

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not publicly detailed. As a charity focused on disadvantaged communities, applications should align with one of the four priority themes above.

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Governance and Leadership

The Places Foundation (Company Number 01284754) is registered with the UK Charity Commission. The Foundation operates as part of Places for People Group's social impact strategy. Trustees receive no remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity. The Foundation's grantmaking activities are supported by Places for People's corporate resources and community engagement teams, including over 35 volunteers who have participated in grant recipient activities such as packing Buddy Bags.

Note: Specific trustee names and quotes from leadership were not available in public sources at the time of research.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Applications are accepted twice yearly when the Impact Fund opens
  • Applications are submitted through the Places for People website
  • The fund operates on a rolling basis during open periods
  • Next application window opens Spring 2026
  • Interested applicants should monitor the website for opening announcements

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Applicants are advised to allow adequate time for review given the competitive nature of the fund and the volume of applications (100+ organisations funded since 2019 suggests significant interest).

Success Rates

Specific success rates and application numbers are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation has supported over 100 charities and organisations since launching the Impact Fund in 2019, indicating a substantial commitment to grantmaking despite the competitive nature.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Interested organisations should contact the Foundation directly at gst@placesforpeople.co.uk for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Funded Projects as Examples

Buddy Bag Foundation (£9,000 grant): Supports children entering emergency care with backpacks containing essentials (toiletries, pyjamas, socks, underwear) and comfort items (books, teddy bears). The Foundation's grant helped deliver over 360 backpacks to children across the country escaping difficult and sometimes violent situations.

Inspire Youth Zone, Chorley (£20,000 grant, part of £125,000 total investment over three years): Provides youth services and activities for young people in Chorley, demonstrating the Foundation's commitment to sustained relationships with effective organisations.

Key Application Principles

Based on general grant application best practices relevant to this funder:

  • Clear alignment with priority themes: Ensure your project demonstrably addresses one or more of the four priority themes
  • Evidence of community impact: Use data and evidence to demonstrate the need within your community and how your project will make a measurable difference
  • Strong financial management: Demonstrate robust financial controls and provide a detailed, realistic budget showing exactly how grant funds will be allocated
  • Organizational capacity: Show your organisation has the capability to deliver the proposed project effectively
  • Avoid jargon: Be concise yet thorough, using clear language that demonstrates genuine understanding of the communities you serve
  • Focus on disadvantaged communities: Emphasize how your project reaches those experiencing disadvantage, exclusion from the labour market, or inadequate access to essential services

Standing Out

  • Projects supporting the most vulnerable populations (children in care, people facing homelessness, communities experiencing significant disadvantage) appear particularly well-aligned with the Foundation's mission
  • Multi-year engagement: The Inspire Youth Zone example shows the Foundation values sustained partnerships with effective organisations
  • Volunteer engagement: The Foundation involves Places for People colleagues in grant recipient activities, suggesting they value opportunities for hands-on corporate engagement
  • Innovation in addressing fundamental needs: The Buddy Bag example shows support for creative solutions to immediate, critical needs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Timing is critical: With only two application windows per year, prepare your application well in advance and monitor the website closely for opening dates (Spring 2026 next)
  • Align with the four themes: Your project must clearly address at least one of the priority areas - health and wellbeing, education/employment, financial/digital inclusion, or sustainable communities
  • Focus on disadvantage: The Foundation's core mission centres on supporting those experiencing disadvantage due to labour market exclusion and inadequate access to services
  • Standard grant is £5,000: While grants up to £25,000 are possible, be realistic about request size relative to your project scope and organisational capacity
  • Demonstrate community impact: Use evidence and data to show clear, measurable outcomes for people experiencing disadvantage
  • Build the relationship: Consider contacting gst@placesforpeople.co.uk before applications open to discuss your project's fit with Foundation priorities
  • Geographic scope: Ensure your project operates within England and Wales, where the Foundation works

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