Young Ealing Foundation

Charity Number: 1171554

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Founded: 2017
  • Total Grants Distributed: £525,031 (as of latest data)
  • Number of Grants: 68+ grants awarded to date
  • Young People Reached: 54,000+ annually through 100 member organizations
  • Grant Range: Varies by program (£500 - £5,000+ depending on funding stream)
  • Geographic Focus: London Borough of Ealing
  • Application Method: Rolling basis with specific deadline rounds

Contact Details

Address: 7 Culmington Road, London, W13 9NB

Website: https://www.youngealingfoundation.org.uk/

Email: info@youngealingfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 020 8579 3650

Overview

The Young Ealing Foundation is an independent registered charity established in 2017 in response to ongoing cuts to the children and young people's sector. The organization's mission is to ensure all young people in Ealing can access the opportunities and support they need to grow up and lead happy and safe lives, fulfill their potential, and become valued members of the local community. As a membership-based organization with 100 member groups, YEF operates according to four core principles: Objective (independent and member-led), Trusted (experienced and focused staff), Brave (thought leadership and crisis responsiveness), and Collaborative (promoting partnership and non-competitive sector work). To date, the foundation has distributed £525,031 in grants across 68+ awards, reaching over 54,000 children and young people annually through its network of grassroots youth charities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

YEF Small Grants Programme (funded by John Lyon's Charity)

  • Applicants can request funding for core costs, salary costs, or direct project funding
  • 68 grants awarded to date totaling £396,716
  • 2,514 young people supported through funded programs
  • Two funding rounds annually (February and April deadlines)
  • Application method: Online application form

Youth Grants

  • £500 grants for projects
  • Can be used for materials, equipment, resources, or training

Grants for Good (funded by John Good Group)

  • £60,000 awarded annually between 20 charitable organizations
  • Quarterly application cycles awarding £15,000 between 5 shortlisted projects every three months
  • Grant range: £2,000 - £5,000 per award
  • Application method: Quarterly deadlines

Hedley Foundation Grants

  • Up to £5,000 available
  • Administered through YEF

Additionally, YEF provides information and access to external funding opportunities including John Lyon's Charity Open Programme (£10,000 minimum), GO! London Foundation Grants (up to £40,000 for general projects, up to £55,000 for specialist wraparound support), and UK Under-26 Fund (£10,000-£25,000 range).

Priority Areas

YEF supports organizations working with children and young people aged 0-25 in the London Borough of Ealing across multiple areas, including:

  • Mental health and wellbeing support
  • Employability and skills development
  • Physical wellbeing and sports activities
  • Creative and arts projects
  • Education initiatives
  • Disability support services
  • Youth voice and advocacy
  • Community engagement and youth activism

The foundation emphasizes supporting grassroots, small, and growing local charities, voluntary groups, and social enterprises to build sustainable youth provision.

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations currently in receipt of John Lyon's Charity main/open grants
  • Organizations that had funding from John Lyon's Charity main/open grants in the last 3 years (for the YEF Small Grants Programme specifically)
  • Organizations not working with children and young people aged 0-25
  • Organizations not based in or directly supporting young people in the London Borough of Ealing
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Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Elly Heaton, Chief Executive Officer - Joined in March 2018 with expertise in youth work, communications, fundraising, and strategic development

Rachel Phelan, Head of Partnerships

Tanya Taylor, Head of Communications and Business Development - Joined in July 2019

Lamise Hassan, Membership and Operations Manager - Joined in November 2022 with experience in event management for grassroots charities

Rahma Hussein, Youth Voice Projects Manager - Joined in January 2025

Board of Trustees

Paul Bradford, Chair

Sharon Torpey, Treasurer - Joined April 2024

Dr. Aysha Raza, Trustee

Jeanette Grose, Trustee

Yemi Adeola, Trustee

Jo Brianti, Trustee - Joined July 2022

Ian Jenkins, Advisor to the Board

Leadership Quotes

CEO Elly Heaton has emphasized the foundation's commitment to recognizing grassroots work: “The Young Ealing Foundation Awards is about celebrating the unsung heroes of our community. Young people and youth workers rarely get the recognition they deserve.”

On the challenging environment for youth services, Heaton noted: “We all know that these are increasingly difficult times for children and young people, as well as the organisations who serve them.”

Regarding their awards program: “These awards shine a spotlight on the incredible young people in Ealing who are making a real difference.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Become a Member (if not already): Apply via the online membership form at youngealingfoundation.org.uk/join-us
  2. Access Grant Information: Visit youngealingfoundation.org.uk/grants for current funding rounds
  3. Download Guidance: Application guidance documents and minimum requirements are available for download
  4. Submit Online Application: Use the online application form before the deadline
  5. Contact for Support: Email info@youngealingfoundation.org.uk with questions

Decision Timeline

YEF Small Grants Programme:

  • Applications submitted by February 1 deadline - decision at February meeting
  • Applications submitted by April 26 deadline - decision at May meeting
  • Estimated timeline: Approximately 1-2 months from deadline to decision

Grants for Good:

  • Quarterly cycles with decisions made approximately 1-2 months after each quarterly deadline

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, with 68 grants awarded to date and 100 member organizations, competition exists for available funds. The foundation distributed £525,031 total across all programs.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated in public materials. Organizations should contact YEF directly at info@youngealingfoundation.org.uk to inquire about reapplication after an unsuccessful attempt.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors

  1. Membership Requirement: Organizations must be YEF members to access the Small Grants Programme - ensure membership is secured before applying
  2. Geographic Focus: Strong emphasis on serving young people specifically in the London Borough of Ealing
  3. Age Range: Clear focus on children and young people aged 0-25
  4. Grassroots Approach: YEF explicitly supports small, grassroots organizations - emphasize your community connections
  5. Sustainability: The foundation values building “sustainable, high quality service provision” - demonstrate how funding will support long-term impact

Foundation Values to Emphasize

The foundation operates on four principles that should be reflected in applications:

  • Objective: Independent, member-led approach
  • Trusted: Professional, focused delivery
  • Brave: Willingness to address crisis and lead on difficult issues
  • Collaborative: Partnership-oriented, non-competitive sector approach

What They Look For

Based on their awards categories and funded work, successful projects likely include:

  • Mental health and wellbeing initiatives
  • Employability and skills programs
  • Physical wellbeing and sports activities
  • Creative and arts projects
  • Education support
  • Disability services
  • Youth voice and advocacy work

Practical Tips

  1. Eligibility Check: Confirm you are NOT currently receiving or have NOT received John Lyon's Charity main/open grants in the last 3 years (for Small Grants Programme)
  2. Documentation Ready: Have all required membership documents prepared (risk assessment, safeguarding policy, H&S policy, public liability insurance)
  3. Budget Clarity: Under the Open Programme, clearly specify whether requesting core costs, salary costs, or direct project funding
  4. Network Engagement: Attend YEF practitioner forums and events to build relationships and understand sector priorities
  5. Young People's Voice: Given YEF's emphasis on youth voice (evident in their Ealing Young Champions scheme), demonstrate how young people are involved in project design and delivery

Examples of Supported Work

Organizations working in partnership with YEF or recognized through their awards include:

  • Hammersmith and Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow Mind (mental health crisis support café - UK's first)
  • Various organizations across employability, mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing, creative, education, and disability categories

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Membership First: You MUST be a YEF member to access their Small Grants Programme - apply for free membership before grant applications open. Ensure all required policies and insurance are in place.
  1. Know Your Deadlines: With only two annual funding rounds (February and April) for the Small Grants Programme, plan ahead and don't miss the deadline windows. Grants for Good offers quarterly opportunities for additional chances.
  1. Emphasize Local Impact: YEF is laser-focused on the London Borough of Ealing - demonstrate deep understanding of local needs and how your work specifically serves Ealing's children and young people aged 0-25.
  1. Check JLC Eligibility: Before applying to YEF Small Grants, confirm you haven't received John Lyon's Charity main/open grants in the last 3 years - this is an automatic disqualifier.
  1. Demonstrate Sustainability: YEF's mission emphasizes “sustainable, high quality service provision” - show how the grant will help build long-term organizational capacity, not just fund a one-off project.
  1. Engage with the Network: YEF is a collaborative, member-led organization - attend their events, participate in forums, and build relationships with other members and staff. This engagement demonstrates alignment with their collaborative values.
  1. Flexibility in Funding Use: The Small Grants Open Programme allows requests for core costs, salary costs, or project funding - consider which best supports your organizational sustainability and be specific in your request.

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