Young K&c

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £940,000+ (from RBKC Youth Empowerment Programme alone)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Approximately 5 months (applications to programme start)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £40,000+ (varies by programme)
• Geographic Focus: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea only

Contact Details

Website: youngkandc.org.uk

Email: info@youngkandc.org.uk

Phone: 07790981175

Contact: andye@qpr.co.uk

For pre-application support, Young K&C offers “Meet the Funder” sessions with insider tips and advice to enhance applications.

Overview

Young K&C (Young Kensington and Chelsea Foundation, charity number 1185156) is a dynamic cross-sector partnership and independent voluntary membership organisation established to support children and young people in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The organisation operates as a network of over 100 voluntary and community organisations, reaching more than 10,000 young people. Core funding from John Lyon's Charity and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea covers all overheads, ensuring that additional funds go directly to supporting children and young people. To date, the organisation has distributed over £1.5 million to more than 60 organisations. RBKC has committed £4.7 million over five years (2025-2030) through the Youth Empowerment Grant Programme, with Young K&C aiming to raise an additional £750,000 in match funding. The organisation recently transitioned to a Co-CEO leadership model and runs the annual Young K&C Achievement Awards celebrating excellence in youth work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Youth Empowerment Grant Programme (2025-2030)

• Main Grants: Core funding for play and youth services, averaging £35,000-£40,000 per annum. Three-year grants with potential two-year extension. Total fund: £757,500 per year.
• Small Grants: Up to £8,000 for smaller-scale projects, or up to £10,000 for projects supporting disabled children/young people. One-year duration. Total fund: £100,000 per year. (Partnership with John Lyon's Charity)
• Making Space: Up to £20,000 per annum (up to £40,000 total) for increasing opportunities for children/young people with SEND. Three-year grants with potential two-year extension. Total fund: £50,000 per year.

Wellness from Within

• £5,000-£65,000 grants for eating disorder prevention programmes targeting young people aged 14-25. Partnership with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. Total fund: £65,000. Applications closed for current round.

Community Solutions: Mental Health Awareness Grant

• Aims to raise awareness of mental health and improve access for Global Majority young people and families. Partnership with Young Westminster Foundation and NHS Northwest London ICB.

Supplementary School Fund

• Provides core and service delivery costs for supplementary schools in Kensington and Chelsea. Applications cycle annually.

Our Choice Grant

• Small grants programme supporting projects for girls, young women, and/or LGBTQIA+ young people. Amount not specified but described as “small grants.”

Priority Areas

Youth Empowerment Grant Programme focuses on five themes (applicants must address at least 3):

1. Inclusivity and Accessibility
2. Learning and Employability (Future and Ambition)
3. Physical and Emotional Wellbeing (Happy, Healthy Lives)
4. Safe and Secure Spaces (Safety and Security)
5. Celebrating the Sector (Culture and Community)

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
• Organisations not working with children and young people up to age 25
• For Our Choice Grant: Supplementary schools seeking core funding (must apply for new/additional activities only)
• Schools (should apply to John Lyon's Charity Grants for Schools instead)

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Governance and Leadership

Co-CEOs

• Nicola Butler - Extensive experience in voluntary sector children and youth services, previously trustee of local children's charities and former Chair of Play England
• Niamh Graham - Strategic advocate focused on alleviating inequality

Board of Trustees (Chair: Andy Evans)

• Andy Evans (Chair) - CEO of QPR In the Community, grew up in Westminster W11, uses his influence to develop programmes for local talent and community cohesion through sports and mentorship
• Arshian Ali - Banking and youth development professional
• Yusuf Ibrahim - Local resident with youth services experience
• Cllr Johnny Thalassites - Local government representative
• Amal Osman - Public sector professional with expertise in strategy, funding and investment, passionate about young people thriving in K&C
• Natasha Bishopp - Extensive experience as children's services leader across several Local Authorities, brings knowledge of children's service practice and transformation

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.

Key Staff

• Patima Shareefy - Supplementary School Coordinator

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications submitted by email to info@youngkandc.org.uk with completed application forms available on the Young K&C website. Application methods vary by programme:

• Youth Empowerment Grant Programme: Rolling applications with fixed deadlines (e.g., September-November 2024 cycle for April 2025 start)
• Other programmes: Fixed deadline cycles announced on website

Young K&C offers guidance through their “Guide to Writing Better Funding Applications” document available on their website.

Decision Timeline

Based on Youth Empowerment Grant Programme cycle:

• Applications opened: 10 September 2024
• Application deadline: 8 November 2024
• Programme delivery begins: 1 April 2025
• Typical timeframe: Approximately 5 months from deadline to programme start

Grant panels are led by Young K&C's Young Ambassadors (young people aged 14-25 who live, work, and study in Kensington & Chelsea) to ensure funds go to opportunities young people value most.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. Young K&C operates with a network of over 100 member organisations and has funded over 60 organisations to date.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Organisations are encouraged to attend “Meet the Funder” sessions to receive insider tips and improve applications.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors

1. Youth-Led Decision Making: Grant panels are led by Young Ambassadors aged 14-25. Applications should clearly demonstrate how projects respond to what young people actually need and value.

1. Geographic Specificity: Must serve children and young people (up to age 25) who live or study in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

1. Multi-Priority Approach: For Youth Empowerment Programme, projects must address at least 3 of the 5 priority themes, demonstrating comprehensive impact.

• Collaboration
• Community
• Empowerment
• Equality

1. SEND Inclusion: Additional funding available for projects making adaptations to support children and young people with SEND.

• Registered Charity or CIC
• Actively working with under-25s in Kensington and Chelsea
• Committed to Young K&C's values

1. Attend Information Sessions: Young K&C offers “Meet the Funder” sessions providing eligibility information, screening/selection processes, and insider tips to enhance applications.

Application Guidance

Young K&C provides a “Guide to Writing Better Funding Applications” with specific tips for grant writers. The organisation emphasises:

• Clear demonstration of need within Kensington and Chelsea
• Evidence of community engagement and youth voice
• Realistic budgets and outcomes
• Sustainability planning

Examples of Funded Work

Member organisations include diverse providers such as:

• ACAVA
• Capital Kids Cricket
• Chelsea Youth Hub
• Community Cook Off CIC
• Grow2Know CIC
• Kulan Somali Organisation
• Minds United Football Club
• National Army Museum
• The Fashion School
• Venture Community Association

The network includes sports clubs, arts organisations, supplementary schools, community centres, and specialist youth services.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Geographic Restriction is Absolute: Only projects serving young people in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea are eligible - no exceptions.

1. Youth Voice is Central: With Young Ambassadors leading grant panels, applications must authentically demonstrate youth engagement and respond to young people's identified needs rather than assumptions.

1. Join the Network First: Membership of Young K&C appears beneficial for accessing grants and support. Consider joining before applying (must be registered charity or CIC).

1. Think Long-Term for Core Funding: Main Grants offer 3-year core funding with potential 5-year total - ideal for sustainability but requires commitment to at least 3 priority themes.

1. Attend Pre-Application Sessions: “Meet the Funder” sessions provide insider knowledge about what panels look for - participation strongly recommended.

1. SEND Provision Increases Funding: Projects supporting disabled young people can access higher grant amounts (up to £10,000 vs £8,000 for Small Grants).

1. Partnership Opportunities: Young K&C partners with John Lyon's Charity, NHS Northwest London ICB, and RBKC - demonstrating collaborative approach that applicants should mirror.

References

• Young K&C Official Website: https://youngkandc.org.uk
• Young K&C About Page: https://youngkandc.org.uk/about
• Young K&C Our Grants Page: https://youngkandc.org.uk/our-grants
• Youth Empowerment Grant Programme Page: https://youngkandc.org.uk/youth-empowerment-grant-programme
• Charity Commission Register - Young K&C (1185156): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1185156&subid=0
• Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Press Release: “Youth Services to get £4.7m boost led by partners and providers”: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/newsroom/youth-services-get-ps47m-boost-led-partners-and-providers
• Young K&C Members Page: https://youngkandc.org.uk/members
• Kensington & Chelsea Social Council - RBKC Youth Empowerment Grant Programme: https://www.kcsc.org.uk/funding/youth-empowerment-grant-programme-main-grants