Yardley Educational Foundation

Charity Number: 528918

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

Stay updated on changes from Yardley Educational Foundation and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £261,846 (year ending March 2024)
  • Grant Range: £70 (uniform vouchers) - Further amounts for vocational training (specific amounts not publicly disclosed)
  • Geographic Focus: Ancient Parish of Yardley, Birmingham (primarily postcodes B11, B13, B14, B25, B26, B27, B28, B33, B34)
  • Decision Time: Processed during application windows
  • Charity Number: 528918

Contact Details

  • Address: Charity Post, PO Box 18605, Birmingham B37 9ES
  • Phone: 0121 770 8223
  • Email: admin@yardleyeducationalfoundation.org.uk
  • Website: www.yardleyeducationalfoundation.org.uk

Overview

The Yardley Educational Foundation is a Birmingham-based grant-making charity established under a scheme from 27 January 1910 and formally registered with the Charity Commission on 1 January 1961. The Foundation provides financial support for the educational advancement of young people living in the historic Ancient Parish of Yardley, now covering specific areas of Birmingham. With annual expenditure of £261,846 (2024), the Foundation focuses primarily on supporting secondary school students with essential educational costs including uniforms, sports kit, books, and equipment, as well as providing grants for vocational training and apprenticeships. The charity is governed by six unpaid trustees and operates a targeted approach to supporting students from families receiving free school meals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Secondary School Uniform Grant Programme

  • Amount: £70 voucher per eligible student
  • Timing: Two key stages - Year 7 entry and Year 10 (start of GCSE options)
  • Application Method: Online application through partner schools
  • Distribution: Vouchers sent directly to families for redemption at specified retailers

Vocational Training and Apprenticeship Support

  • Grants available to support young people pursuing vocational training
  • Support for apprentices
  • Specific grant amounts not publicly disclosed

Educational Equipment Grants

  • Support for books, sports kit, and educational materials
  • Available to students at secondary educational establishments (11+ years)

Priority Areas

The Foundation prioritizes:

  • Secondary education support: Students aged 11 and above in the Ancient Parish of Yardley
  • Disadvantaged families: Students currently eligible for Free School Meals (or eligible within past 6 years for some programmes)
  • Educational advancement: Clothing, books, sports equipment essential for participation in education
  • Vocational development: Training and apprenticeship opportunities for young people
  • Geographic targeting: Residents of specific Birmingham postcodes within the historic parish boundaries

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Foundation does not support:

  • Students outside the Ancient Parish of Yardley geographic boundaries
  • Students attending schools outside their catchment partnerships
  • Primary school uniform costs (focus is on secondary education)
  • Students not meeting the Free School Meals eligibility criteria
  • General school fundraising or institutional costs
Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for Yardley Educational Foundation?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by six unpaid trustees who are responsible for controlling the work, management, and administration of the charity:

Current Trustees:

  • Seamus O'Donnell - Chair (appointed 25 June 2013)
  • Paul Calvin Tilsley - Trustee (appointed 19 May 2016)
  • Elizabeth Ann Hayes - Trustee (appointed 7 October 2013)
  • Maria Luisella O'Shea - Trustee (appointed 25 June 2013)
  • Robert Charles Jones - Trustee
  • Penny Wagg - Trustee

The Foundation operates with no paid staff, with all trustees serving in a voluntary capacity. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Uniform Grants (Primary Application Route):

The application process follows a two-step procedure managed through local secondary schools:

  1. Apply for Free School Meals first: Parents/carers must first apply for Free School Meals using their school's application process (online or paper form)
  1. Complete the Uniform Grant Application: Once FSM status is confirmed, complete the Yardley Educational Foundation online application through the school's designated system (approximately 2 minutes to complete)

Application Windows:

  • Applications typically open in late spring/early summer
  • Recent deadlines have been in early July (e.g., 5 July 2024)
  • Applications are processed for students entering Year 7 in September
  • A second window exists for Year 9 students entering Year 10

For Vocational Training/Apprenticeship Grants:

Application processes for vocational training grants are not publicly documented. Interested applicants should contact the Foundation directly at admin@yardleyeducationalfoundation.org.uk

Decision Timeline

  • Applications processed during the summer months for Year 7 intake
  • Successful applicants receive vouchers by post before the start of the academic year
  • Vouchers include information about where they can be redeemed

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation distributed £261,846 in grants during 2023-24, suggesting substantial support for eligible applicants within their catchment area.

Reapplication Policy

Students receive two opportunities for uniform support:

  • First voucher: Year 7 entry
  • Second voucher: Year 10 (start of GCSE options)

The Foundation appears to operate on an entitlement basis for eligible students rather than a competitive application process, meaning all students who meet the geographic and Free School Meals criteria should be able to access support during these two key stages.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Eligibility is Critical:

The Foundation operates strict geographic boundaries based on the historic Ancient Parish of Yardley. Eligible postcodes include B11, B13, B14, B25, B26, B27, B28, B33, and B34, though not all parts of these postcodes fall within the eligible area. Applicants should verify their specific address is within the boundary, as some areas within these postcodes may be excluded.

Free School Meals Status:

Current eligibility for Free School Meals is the primary financial criterion. Some schools note that students who have qualified for FSM within the past 6 years may also be eligible, indicating the Foundation takes a generous approach to supporting families who have experienced financial hardship.

School Partnership is Essential:

Applications are processed through partner secondary schools in the catchment area. Schools including Hall Green Secondary School, Bishop Challoner Catholic College, Starbank School, Yardleys School, and KESH Academy have established relationships with the Foundation. Families should work with their school's administrative office to access the application process.

Timing Matters:

Applications must be submitted by the deadline (typically early July) to receive vouchers before the start of the school year. Missing the deadline may mean students cannot access that year's support.

Complete Information:

Application forms warn that “incomplete information may result in your application being declined.” Ensuring all required details are provided accurately is essential.

Direct Support Model:

The Foundation uses a voucher system rather than direct payment to schools or uniform suppliers, giving families flexibility in where they purchase uniforms while maintaining accountability for how funds are used.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic boundaries are non-negotiable: This is a highly localized funder serving only the historic Ancient Parish of Yardley in Birmingham; organizations outside this area should not apply
  • School-based distribution model: The Foundation works through established secondary school partnerships rather than accepting direct applications from families, so organizations seeking funding would need to work through these institutional channels
  • Entitlement-based rather than competitive: This appears to be a needs-based programme where eligible students receive support automatically, rather than competing for limited funds
  • Two-stage support: The Foundation strategically targets Year 7 (transition to secondary school) and Year 10 (start of GCSE courses) when uniform costs are highest
  • Strong governance: Six trustees with long tenures (several serving 10+ years) indicate stability and deep knowledge of the local community
  • Consistent funding levels: Annual expenditure ranging from £180,000-£324,000 over recent years shows reliable funding capacity
  • Vocational training potential: Beyond the well-documented uniform programme, the Foundation's charitable objects include vocational training and apprenticeship support, though application routes for this funding are not publicly documented—direct contact is recommended for these opportunities

🎯 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

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References