The Charles Hayward Foundation Grants

Social and Criminal Justice: The overall aims of our funding in the social and criminal justice area are to prevent people entering the criminal justice system and to support those already in the system to move on and rebuild their lives. They fund early intervention programmes with young children and their families, tailored preventative work with young people at risk, and holistic support services aimed at reducing re-offending and aiding re-settlement. The Foundation also looks to alleviate the consequences of domestic abuse.

Overseas: They are looking to fund projects that improve the livelihoods of disadvantaged communities in Commonwealth Countries of Africa.

Older People: They wish to fund preventative and early intervention programmes being delivered at the community level which allow older people to stay in their own homes and remain independent. They are interested in programmes which can demonstrate their effectiveness in improving the quality of life of older people. They favour projects that offer a consistent and sustained benefit rather than one-off events or short-lived activities.

Social and Criminal Justice: 

If you are a UK registered charity and have an annual income of between £350,000 and £4,000,000 you may submit an application under their main grant programme.

Projects they fund:

• Targeted early intervention programmes aimed at reaching the most troubled and vulnerable families in a community
• Preventative and diversionary projects for young people at risk of offending including tailored interventions identifying and addressing the particular needs of girls and young women
• Programmes, particularly those with a focus on young offenders, combining prison based and community interventions dealing with rehabilitation of offenders, accommodation and support on release, helping with maintaining family relationships, mentoring, and mapping and creating pathways to employment
• Schemes offering viable alternatives to custody, in particular for women and young people
• Programmes of support directed towards rehabilitating the victims of domestic abuse

They do not fund:

• Policy and research
• Short term interventions
• Trips and youth volunteering
• Uniformed organisations
• Generic youth programmes
• Capital projects
• Immigration advice and legal support

Overseas:

If you are a UK registered charity delivering projects in Commonwealth Countries of Africa and have an annual income of between £150,000 and £4,000,000 you may submit an application.

Projects they fund:

• Clean water and sanitation
• Development of sustainable livelihoods in the context of environmental and wildlife conservation
• Self sustainability through training in farming skills and income generation activities

They do not fund:

• Disaster appeals
• Education
• Gap years, electives, project visits overseas
• Overseas disability awareness

Older People:

Projects they fund:

• Programmes aiming to alleviate isolation and depression in older people, including informal day care or social, physical and recreational activities
• Programmes which give practical help, assistance and support for older people living in their own homes
• Programmes addressing the emotional and practical needs of older carers
• Programmes designed to meet the specific needs of people with dementia

They do not fund:

• General appeals
• Unrestricted grants
• Individuals
• Grant making charities
• Loans, deficits, or endowments
• Retrospectively (i.e. costs already incurred prior to receiving a decision from the Foundation)
• Community development organisations
• Capital costs of buildings or equipment
• Building maintenance and repairs
• Community transport
• Purchases of minibuses
• Disability access
• Meal delivery services
• Older people’s projects that are restricted to one section of society
• Services that only benefit people with specific health conditions, with the exception of dementia

Social and Criminal Justice: Projects over one to three years with grants of £15,000 to £25,000 per annum.

Overseas: One off projects with grants of up to £15,000

Older People: Grants up to £7,000

Main Grants:

Stage 1: A Grants Committee meets three times a year.  The Committee’s role is to put applications forward to stage 2.

2025 deadlines for the submission of applications for Stage 1:

• 23/05/2025 (for the July Grants Committee meeting)
• 19/09/2025 (for the November Grants Committee meeting)

Small Grants (Older People):

Applications can be submitted at any time during the year