Grants of up to £15,000 for YWF member organisations supporting children and young people in Westminster.

Application deadline: 12.00 midday, Monday 2 November 2026

Young Westminster Foundation’s Brighter Futures Fund provides grants for projects supporting children and young people aged 0-25 in Westminster.

What can be funded?

This funding is solely for the provision of new or existing projects, activities, services or programmes (including pilots) for children and young people aged 0-25 in Westminster.

We welcome applications for projects that improve children and young people’s physical health, mental health and emotional wellbeing through a diverse range of activities, services and opportunities.

Funding priorities for 2026/27:

    • Support for children and young people’s physical, mental health and emotional wellbeing
    • Promoting new skills and experiences
    • Responding to a local need
    • Delivered by organisations with strong connections to and understanding of the Westminster community
    • Wanted and needed by children & young people
    • Accessible to all children and young people including those with additional/special educational needs and groups who may face additional barriers to participation, such as looked after children, young carers, refugees and asylum seekers

Funding can be used to cover project/activity/programme costs, venue costs or capital equipment where these are directly related to the services.

Take a look at our application guidance.

Where can projects be delivered?

New for 2026/27: We have secured additional funding to help meet local needs and increase the overall funding available, with the aim of ensuring that much-needed grant funding reaches more of our member organisations.

This year our project funding for Westminster will be delivered through two separate funding programmes based on the location of project delivery.

Please check carefully which fund is right for your project before applying.

The Brighter Futures Fund is for projects being delivered in North West Westminster and South Westminster.

Our new Building Safer Futures Fund, supported by the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, is for projects being delivered in North East Westminster. This new fund will open during the week beginning 19 October. Read more.

To ensure a fair spread of funding, member organisations can only apply to one of the two funding programmes. Organisations cannot apply to both funds.

How to apply to Brighter Futures

Step 1: Complete the eligibility check
New for 2026/27: All applicants must complete our eligibility check before they can access the application form. The application form is only available to organisations that successfully complete the eligibility check and meet the fund’s eligibility requirements.

The eligibility check:

  • Takes less than 4 minutes to complete
  • Confirms whether your organisation is eligible to apply
  • Ensures you are applying to the correct funding programme

Step 2: Application form
Once organisations have confirmed that they meet the eligibility criteria they will receive access to the online application form.

Key Dates

  • Applications open: Monday 12 October 2026
  • Application deadline: 12.00 midday, Monday 2 November 2026
  • Online 1:1 funding surgeries: October 2026
  • Panel meeting: Thursday 10 December 2026
  • Applicants informed: Week commencing 14 December 2026
  • Project delivery period: Projects must be completed within 12 months of the award date or agreed project start date

Need help?

1:1 meetings are available to book 14 – 22 October. If you would like to seek guidance about the fund, have any questions, or experience any issues completing the eligibility check or application form, please contact:
hazel@youngwestminster.com

Resources and links:

Brighter Futures Fund application guidance
Brighter Futures Fund application questions (reference copy)
Brighter Futures Fund eligibility check