The Save The Children Fund

Charity Number: 213890

Geographic Focus: Afghanistan, Albania, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma ... [73 more]

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Quick Stats

Annual Income: £318 million (2023)
Grant Programmes: 2 limited programmes (Youth Climate Fund, Baby Bank Alliance)
Grant Range: £1,000 - £3,500 (Climate Fund only)
Primary Model: Operational charity with limited grant-making
Geographic Focus: UK-wide (specific programmes regional)

Contact Details

Main Contact:

Website: www.savethechildren.org.uk
Address: 1 St John's Lane, London EC1M 4AR
Registered Charity: 213890

Grant-Specific Contacts:

Young People Climate Fund: [email protected]
Baby Bank Alliance Development Fund: Via babybankalliance.org

Overview

The Save the Children Fund (operating as Save the Children UK) was founded in 1919 and is one of the UK's largest international children's charities. With annual income of £318 million (2023), the organization primarily operates as a direct service provider rather than a traditional grant-maker. The charity's mission is to relieve distress and promote the welfare of children in any country, without differentiation on grounds of race, colour, nationality, creed, or sex.

While the Charity Commission identifies grant-making as one of Save the Children UK's methods of operation, the organization predominantly implements programmes directly across almost 120 countries. They supported 41.2 million children directly in 93 countries and provide technical expertise, funding, and strategic support to the Save the Children International movement. The charity offers only two limited grant programmes for UK organizations: the Young People Climate Fund and the Baby Bank Alliance Development Fund.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Young People Climate Fund (2025)

Grant Range: £1,000 - £3,500
Total Awards: Approximately 12 grants annually
Focus Areas: London, Leeds (West Yorkshire), and Birmingham (West Midlands)
Application: Short online form, opens November, closes late November
Requirements: Organizations must be “associated, supported or led by children and/or young people”

2. Baby Bank Alliance Development Fund

Grant Type: Unrestricted funding for operational costs
Eligibility: Must be Baby Bank Alliance members with required policies and governance
Application Window: Opens April 28, closes May 30 (annual)
Award Timeline: Grants awarded in July
Grant Amount: Variable depending on applications received
Administered by: Save the Children on behalf of Baby Bank Alliance

Priority Areas

Young People Climate Fund:

Climate awareness raising activities
Educational initiatives (documentaries, workshops, art, poetry)
Community gardening and environmental projects
Activities that amplify young people's voices on climate issues
Projects running May 1 - September 30 (following year)

Baby Bank Alliance Fund:

Operational costs for baby banks
Staff costs, rent, heating
Purchasing new items for distribution
Any expenses that support baby bank operations
No restrictions or reporting requirements on fund use

What They Don't Fund

General Exclusions:

Save the Children explicitly states: “we do not provide grant funding nor are we a fiscal sponsor” for general organizational funding
No open grant programmes for general children's charities or NGOs
Not a traditional grant-making foundation for UK voluntary sector organizations
Organizations seeking funding to work WITH Save the Children should approach as implementation partners, not grant applicants

Young People Climate Fund Exclusions:

Organizations not involving young people in project design and delivery
Projects that exclude youth participation
Organizations outside London, West Yorkshire, and West Midlands
Non-climate-focused activities

Baby Bank Alliance Fund Exclusions:

Non-members of Baby Bank Alliance
Organizations without required safeguarding and governance policies
Baby banks that haven't submitted annual survey data

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Governance and Leadership

Save the Children UK operates as part of the Save the Children International movement. The organization has undergone significant governance improvements following a 2018-2019 Charity Commission inquiry, which resulted in strengthened safeguarding standards. In 2021, the UK government confirmed that Save the Children UK could bid for government funding again after demonstrating improved safeguarding standards.

The charity works in partnership with People's Postcode Lottery (since 2016), government agencies including the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and corporate partners including Morgan Stanley, IKEA, and Amazon. The organization is a founding partner of the Baby Bank Alliance, which supports over 400 baby banks nationwide.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Young People Climate Fund:

Organizations complete a short online application form
Applications must demonstrate youth involvement in project design
Contact the fund team ([email protected]) for pre-application support
Application window typically opens mid-November, closes end of November
Projects must run May 1 - September 30 of the following year

Baby Bank Alliance Development Fund:

Must first join Baby Bank Alliance (free membership)
Meet membership requirements including required policies
Submit annual survey data by March 31
Complete online application during April 28 - May 30 window
Meet Save the Children's minimum safeguarding standards
Grants awarded in July

Decision Timeline

Young People Climate Fund:

Application period: Approximately 3 weeks in November
Decision timeline: Not publicly specified, but projects must be ready to start by May 1
Likely 3-4 month decision period

Baby Bank Alliance Development Fund:

Application window: April 28 - May 30
Decisions: July (approximately 1-2 months)
Straightforward process for eligible members

Success Rates

Young People Climate Fund:

Only 12 grants awarded annually (approximately 4 per region)
Highly competitive given limited availability
Success rate not publicly disclosed but likely very low given limited awards

Baby Bank Alliance Development Fund:

All eligible members meeting criteria appear to receive funding
Specific success rates not disclosed
Grant amounts variable depending on total applications

Reapplication Policy

Young People Climate Fund:

Annual programme, previous recipients may reapply
No specific restrictions mentioned on reapplication

Baby Bank Alliance Development Fund:

Annual programme for members in good standing
No reapplication restrictions for eligible members

Application Success Factors

Young People Climate Fund Specific Factors

Critical Success Elements:

Youth Leadership: Applications must demonstrate that children and young people are involved throughout project design and delivery. The fund's criteria were “developed in collaboration with the Save the Children Climate Advisory Board (a small group of climate-engaged young people aged 12-18).”

Climate Focus: Projects must specifically address climate awareness and “its effects on children and young people in the UK and around the world.”

Geographic Eligibility: Must be based in London, Leeds (West Yorkshire), or West Midlands. Recent information suggests approximately 4 projects per region.

Active Participation: Projects must “provide opportunities for young people and children to actively participate in the design and organisation of positive climate activities.”

Skill Building: Demonstrate how young people will build skills through “leading activities that address the issues that matter most to them.”

Baby Bank Alliance Fund Specific Factors

Membership and Compliance:

Must be Baby Bank Alliance member with all policies in place
Safeguarding, Health and Safety, and Volunteering policies required
Bank account in organization's name and formal constitution
Meet Save the Children's minimum safeguarding standards

Operational Readiness:

Submitted annual survey data by March 31 deadline
Clear governance structure (especially important for CICs)
Demonstrated track record of baby bank operations

Working as Implementation Partners

For organizations seeking larger-scale partnership with Save the Children UK beyond these limited grant programmes:

Save the Children “strives for exceptional partnerships with institutional partners, trusts and foundations”
They work with local partner organizations as implementing partners on programmes
Partnerships focus on “maximising both funding and influence to achieve shared aims for children”
This typically involves collaborative programme delivery rather than grant relationships

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Not a Traditional Funder: Save the Children UK is primarily an operational charity, not a grant-making foundation. Do not approach them for general children's charity funding—these applications will not be successful.

Highly Specific Opportunities: Only two grant programmes exist, both with very narrow eligibility criteria. Unless you are a youth-led organization focused on climate in specific UK regions, or a baby bank, these funds are not relevant.

Youth Climate Fund is Extremely Competitive: With only 12 grants nationally (approximately 4 per region) and grants of £1,000-£3,500, this is one of the most competitive small grants in the sector.

Baby Bank Alliance Route: If you operate or plan to start a baby bank, joining the Baby Bank Alliance provides access to this development funding, but membership requirements and safeguarding standards are strict.

Partnership Not Grants: If your work aligns with Save the Children's mission, consider approaching them as a potential implementation partner rather than seeking grant funding. This is how they typically work with other organizations.