Young Camden Foundation

Charity Number: 1172314

Annual Expenditure: £1.5M
Camden

Contact Info

Website:www.youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk

Phone:07736 714426

Email:grants@youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £900,000+ (approximately)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 2-3 weeks after application deadline
  • Grant Range: £500 - £10,000 (depending on program)
  • Geographic Focus: London Borough of Camden only
  • Total Distributed Since 2017: £3.2+ million

Contact Details

Website: www.youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk

Email: grants@youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 07736 714426

Address: LABS Atrium, Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8AH

Charity Number: 1172314

Pre-application support: Contact grants@youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk for specific queries about eligibility or programs

Overview

Young Camden Foundation was established in 2017 as a joint venture between London Borough of Camden and John Lyon's Charity in response to cuts in central government funding to local authorities affecting youth and play services. Since inception, YCF has awarded over £3.2 million in small grants to member organizations, directly benefiting more than 20,000 children and young people in Camden. The foundation operates as a membership-led infrastructure charity supporting 170+ member organizations and 160+ partner organizations working with children, young people, and families (ages 0-25) in Camden. Their mission is "to ensure that the incredible resources in our borough are put at the disposal of Camden's children and young people... so that every young person in Camden has equal access to our borough's incredible opportunities." In 2021, YCF distributed £922,781 across multiple programs, and in 2023 alone, their funding supported programs reaching over 12,500 children and young people.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small & Mighty Fund: £5,000 (most grants) - £10,000 (exceptional cases)

  • For organizations with annual income under £250,000
  • Supports after-school/weekend youth work, play provision, educational workshops, excursions, project resources
  • Core funding available for organizations under £100,000 annual income
  • Applications reopen February 2026 via online portal

Heads Up! Mental Health Fund: Up to £3,500

  • Supports play or youth work addressing mental health
  • Covers staff training on mental health issues
  • Priority given to specific Camden wards (Fortune Green, Frognal, Gospel Oak)
  • Applications open June 2025, decisions August 2025

Supplementary Education Fund: £500 - £3,500

  • Core subject focus (English, Maths, Science)
  • Preference for face-to-face learning
  • Funded by John Lyon's Charity and NISA's Making A Difference Locally
  • Applications reopen March 2026

Brighter Futures Fund: Amount TBC

  • Improves employment outcomes and professional skills for young people
  • Applications reopen August 2026

Holiday Opportunities Fund: Amount TBC

  • Provides enriching activities during school holidays
  • Applications reopen May 2026

Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme: Amounts vary

  • Statutory program for school holidays
  • Includes meals and activities

Priority Areas

  • Youth work and play provision for children and young people (0-25 years)
  • Mental health support and wellbeing programs
  • Employment skills and professional development for young people
  • Supplementary education in core subjects
  • Holiday activities and food programs
  • Projects promoting equal access to opportunities in Camden
  • Support for small and micro organizations (under £250,000 income)

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations with annual turnover over £5,000,000
  • CICs limited by shares (only CICs limited by guarantee eligible)
  • Core costs for organizations with income over £100,000 (Small & Mighty Fund)
  • Non-educational excursion tickets
  • Regular ongoing youth programs that are not innovative or additional
  • Venue hire (for some programs like Heads Up! Fund)
  • Work outside Camden borough
  • Non-member organizations (membership is free but required)

Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees: Martin Pratt CBE

Martin Pratt took over from Fiona Millar, who chaired the board for seven years. He brings over thirty-five years of experience in Children's Services and Education and was awarded a CBE in the 2025 New Year Honours list for his service to children, young people, and families in London.

Chief Executive Officer: Daisy-Rose Srblin

Board of Trustees includes:

  • Niels - Spent 30 years in investment and corporate banking before transitioning to the charitable sector; currently studying for a Masters in Charity Accounting and Financial Management
  • Hdayet (Young Trustee) - Grew up in Camden, was deputy Youth MP for Camden, Vice Chair for FYA Youth Ambassadors, and a YCF Young Ambassador
  • Sophie - Sits on Camden's Start Well Family Hubs Board

The organization is governed by a dedicated team of trustees and associate trustees, demonstrating commitment to diverse representation including young trustees with lived experience in Camden.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Membership Requirement: All applicants must first become YCF members (free). Apply at: https://form.jotform.com/242974440080051 or contact membership@youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk

Application Method: Online application portal with specific forms for each grant program. Custom budget templates required (provided by YCF). Video application option available for some programs.

Contact for Queries: grants@youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk

Decision Timeline

Applications typically follow this pattern:

  • Application window: 2-4 weeks
  • Q&A webinar offered during application period (optional)
  • Decision timeline: 2-3 weeks after application deadline closes
  • Example: Small & Mighty Fund applications close Sunday, March 2, 2025; decisions communicated week of March 17, 2025

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, YCF distributed 47 small grants to 41 member organizations in early 2025 (£135,501 total by end of February 2025), and has supported 202 projects since inception, suggesting competitive but accessible funding for members.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply in the next funding round. YCF provides a brief explanation for unsuccessful applications but cannot provide detailed feedback due to high application volumes. Organizations that recently received a Main Grant from John Lyon's Charity may not be eligible for Small & Mighty Fund.

Application Success Factors

What the Grants Panel Looks For

The grants panel evaluates applications based on these criteria:

  1. Program Clarity: “Is the project clearly defined and well-thought-out?” Strong applications demonstrate clear programs with specific times, locations, activities, staffing numbers, and expected participant numbers.
  1. Impact Potential: "Does the project have the potential to improve participants' mental health, confidence, and/or self-esteem? Does the project introduce innovative or creative approaches?"
  1. Participation Strategy: “Are there clear strategies for ensuring participation and retention of participants? How will the project create lasting positive impacts for the participants and the community?” Programs that encourage consistent participation are prioritized.
  1. Organizational Capacity: “Does the organisation demonstrate the capacity to manage and deliver the proposed project effectively?”
  1. Accessibility and Inclusivity: “Does the project ensure accessibility and inclusivity for all intended participants?”
  1. Budget Reasonableness: Clear, realistic budgets using YCF's template are essential.

Recently Funded Projects (Examples)

  • NW5 Project: February half-term activities for 38 young people including hot meals and off-site trips
  • CARIS Families: Day trips for children in temporary accommodation to theatre and Children's Story Centre
  • Creators House: 6-week DJ workshop for 10 young people with experienced teacher
  • King's Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Association (KCBNA): FIFA PlayStation World Cup tournament and regular Boxercise sessions

Standing Out

  • Demonstrate clear understanding of need in specific Camden communities
  • Show innovative approaches to youth work, mental health, or education
  • Include concrete participation and retention strategies
  • Emphasize collaboration and cross-sector working (YCF values collaboration)
  • For smaller organizations (under £100,000), emphasize need for core funding support
  • Use language around “equal access to opportunities” and “improving lives of children and young people in Camden”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Membership is mandatory but free - Apply for membership well before grant deadlines; this is the primary barrier to entry
  • Camden-specific focus is non-negotiable - All work must be in Camden with young people who live or attend school in the borough
  • Small organization friendly - YCF actively supports small and micro organizations; organizations under £100,000 can apply for core costs
  • Be specific and concrete - Panel looks for clearly defined programs with specific details about times, locations, activities, and participant numbers
  • Innovation matters - Even for established programs, show what's innovative or additional about your approach
  • Quick turnaround - Decision timelines are relatively fast (2-3 weeks), so be prepared to start projects soon after approval
  • Collaboration is valued - YCF's mission centers on cross-sector collaboration; showing partnerships strengthens applications
  • Reapplication is encouraged - Don't be discouraged by rejection; you can reapply in the next round with brief feedback provided

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

References