Young Hammersmith And Fulham Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £50,000-£100,000+ (varies by program)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 2-3 months
• Grant Range: £250 - £10,000 (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: Hammersmith & Fulham borough, London

Contact Details

Website: https://younghandf.org.uk/

Email: hello@yhff.org.uk

Phone: 020 7577 1807

For funding enquiries: Visit funding opportunities page at younghandf.org.uk/funding-opportunities

Overview

Young Hammersmith and Fulham Foundation (Young H&F), established in April 2017 and registered as a charity in February 2017 (Charity Number: 1171749), operates as an infrastructure organization supporting Hammersmith & Fulham's youth sector. With annual income of approximately £397,000, the foundation supports over 100 member organizations through grants, training, and capacity building. Funded primarily by John Lyon's Charity and the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, Young H&F is part of the wider Young People's Foundation (YPF) model operating across London boroughs. The organization's mission is "to strengthen Hammersmith & Fulham's youth sector by supporting the individuals, organisations, and communities working with young people,“ with a vision of ”a borough where every young person can thrive, supported by a strong, connected and well-resourced youth sector."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Young Grant Makers Programme: £50,000 annually

• Young people aged 14-21 (or up to 25 with SEND) assess and award grants to local youth organizations
• Recent awards distributed £50,000 across 11 organizations
• Decisions made by trained young people using established criteria
• Grantees invited to Funded Futures Forum for networking

Direct Grants to Young People: Individual grants for personal development

• Up to £250 for employment costs (work clothing, interview attire) and educational resources
• Up to £500 for IT equipment, personal development courses, health/wellbeing costs, and extracurricular activities
• Prioritizes young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET)
• Applications from employed/in-education youth considered if criteria met

Supplementary Schools Funding: £100,000 total program

• £25,000 distributed to seven supplementary schools in recent rounds
• Supports underrepresented community backgrounds (Somali, Arabic, Polish)
• Focus on enhancing access to education

Addison Youth Grants (partnership program)

• £5,000 - £10,000 per grant
• For children and young people aged 8-25 in Hammersmith & Fulham
• Priority for 'open access' youth clubs and projects meeting basic needs
• Since 2021, Addison Youth has distributed approximately £300,000

Small Grants: £75,000+ in various rounds

• For small and medium-sized non-profits
• Open to members with annual turnover of £150,000 or less
• Rolling application basis

SYNC Consortium: £800,000 funding pot

• Unique youth consortium helping smaller organizations access larger funding
• Overcomes barriers small providers face

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on five key thematic areas:

• Employability: Supporting young people into work and training
• Education: Enhancing access and achievement
• Healthier Lifestyles: Promoting physical wellbeing
• Mental Health: Supporting emotional and psychological wellbeing
• Youth Justice: Interventions and prevention

All programs must serve young people aged 0-25 (up to 25 for those with learning difficulties or disabilities) in Hammersmith & Fulham.

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations not based in or serving Hammersmith & Fulham
• Non-member organizations (free membership available)
• Organizations not working with young people aged 0-25
• Statutory services

Ready to write a winning application for Young Hammersmith And Fulham Foundation?

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

Join the Launch List

Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive: Gareth Dixon (since April 2017)

• Responsible for overall strategic leadership and effective management
• Passionate about improving life experiences of young people in Hammersmith & Fulham
• Strong believer in supporting young people to have a say in opportunities they need
• Committed to changing the system regarding fundraising and collaboration
• Holds regular meetings with Local Safeguarding Children's Partnership

Trustees: 7 trustees, none receive remuneration

Known Trustee: Denise Fox

• Headteacher of Fulham Cross Girls School
• 43 years' experience in London schools
• Background in urban, comprehensive schools with multicultural intakes

Governance Values: Accountability, ambition, collaboration, creativity, and integrity. The organization is accountable to members, partners, and the young people of Hammersmith & Fulham.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Organizations:

1. Access funding opportunities: Check younghandf.org.uk/funding-opportunities for current programs
2. Application method: Varies by program - some use online portals, some are rolling basis

For Young People (Direct Grants):

• Applications assessed by Young Grant Makers panel
• Anonymized applications reviewed against criteria
• Panel of trained young people makes decisions

For Addison Youth Grants: Separate application through Addison Youth partnership

Decision Timeline

• Young Grant Makers Programme: Applications assessed July-August, decisions by end of August
• General timeline: 2-3 months from submission to decision (typical)
• Notification: Successful applicants invited to events like Funded Futures Forum

Success Rates

Specific success rate data not publicly available. However:

• Young Grant Makers awarded £50,000 across 11 organizations in recent round
• Foundation supports over 100 member organizations
• Competitive but supportive process

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Organizations are encouraged to contact the foundation at hello@yhff.org.uk for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Key Insights from Young H&F:

1. Youth Voice is Central: The foundation strongly believes in “supporting young people to have a say in what opportunities they need and want.” Applications should demonstrate meaningful youth involvement in design and delivery.

1. Collaboration Over Competition: CEO Gareth Dixon is "committed to changing the system in regards to fundraising & collaborating." Applications showing partnership approaches and collaborative working are valued.

1. Focus on Impact for Young People: The foundation prioritizes organizations "making an impact on young people's lives across Hammersmith & Fulham." Clear, measurable impact on young people is essential.

1. Meeting Basic Needs: Particularly for Addison Youth grants, priority goes to projects “helping to meet basic needs within a youth work context.”

1. Support for Smaller Organizations: Through the SYNC Consortium and small grants, the foundation explicitly works to overcome barriers smaller providers face. Don't be deterred by small organizational size.

1. Geographic Specificity: Must serve young people in Hammersmith & Fulham specifically. Clear demonstration of borough-based work is essential.

1. Member Engagement: Organizations that actively engage with the foundation's training, networking events, and community activities demonstrate commitment and are better positioned.

1. Strategic Alignment: Applications should align with one or more of the five priority areas: Employability, Education, Healthier Lifestyles, Mental Health, or Youth Justice.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Membership is essential: Join as a free member before applying for most grants - this also provides access to training, networking, and one-to-one support for organizations under £50,000 income
• Youth-led decision making: Young Grant Makers program means your application will be assessed by young people - write in accessible language, be clear about impact
• Engage before applying: Attend the minimum 2 capacity building events, join WhatsApp group, participate in community activities - this demonstrates commitment and helps you understand priorities
• Geographic boundaries are strict: Must serve Hammersmith & Fulham specifically - be explicit about borough-based delivery
• Small is beautiful: The foundation explicitly supports smaller organizations (under £150,000 turnover for small grants) and has created SYNC Consortium for those who miss out on larger pots
• Collaborate: The foundation values partnership working and system change over competition between organizations
• Youth voice matters: Demonstrate meaningful youth participation in your project design, delivery, and governance - this aligns with the foundation's core values

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Young K&C
• JOHN LYON'S CHARITY
• Young Ealing Foundation
• Young Camden Foundation
• Newcomen Collett Educational Foundation
• Young Westminster Foundation
• REEDHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST
• Richard Reeve's Foundation
• Young Brent Foundation
• TALLOW CHANDLERS BENEVOLENT FUND NO 2

References

• Young Hammersmith & Fulham Foundation official website: https://younghandf.org.uk/
• About Us page: http://younghandf.org.uk/about-us
• Membership information: https://younghandf.org.uk/become-a-member
• Funding opportunities: http://younghandf.org.uk/funding-opportunities
• Charity Commission register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5089421/charity-overview
• London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham: https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/children-and-young-people/youth-services/youth-projects-activities-and-services/young-hammersmith-fulham-foundation
• Gareth Dixon LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gareth-dixon-40ab1757/
• News & Stories: https://younghandf.org.uk/news-and-stories