About the Brighter Futures Fund

Launched in 2019, the Westminster Brighter Futures Fund strengthens long‑term investment in youth services across the borough. The Fund brings together support from corporate partners, charitable foundations and Westminster City Council to help children and young people grow up healthy, safe and supported.

Over seven annual rounds, the Fund has awarded grants to Young Westminster Foundation (YWF) members delivering projects shaped by local need and youth voice. Grants of up to £20,000 support one‑year programmes, with priority given to organisations aligned with Westminster’s Early Help Strategy and working closely with Youth and Family Hubs.

Young people play a central role in the process—helping assess applications and highlight what matters most to them. Final decisions are made by a panel of local funders, businesses and council representatives.

YWF supports grantees with evaluation guidance and follows the IVAR principles of proportionality, flexibility, transparency, trust and efficiency to ensure fair and accessible grantmaking.

Funding Priorities

The latest round of grants focused on supporting:

  • Engaging activities for children and young people
  • Projects responding to local need
  • Opportunities that broaden horizons and build skills
  • Organisations embedded in the Westminster community

Applicants were encouraged to work with Westminster’s Youth and Family Hubs, and to align with our local youth-led needs analysis research alongside local strategies supporting children and young people.

Eligibility

This fund is open exclusively to Young Westminster Foundation members.

Funding can support new or existing programmes, including pilots, benefiting children and young people aged 0–25 in Westminster.

Grants may cover:

  • Project, activity or programme costs
  • Venue hire
  • Capital equipment directly related to service delivery

Grant Funding in 2026

In 2026 the Brighter Futures Fund awarded over £330,000 to 32 organisations supporting children and young people across Westminster.

Grants are supporting a vibrant mix of opportunities for young people, including:

  • Sports & physical activity: boxing, basketball, football and cricket programmes, with inclusive SEND provision and initiatives designed to build confidence among girls and young women.
  • Arts, culture & creativity: musical theatre, filmmaking, storytelling exploring local heritage, orchestral training, community choirs, early years music sessions, Bollywood dance and young chef courses.
  • Wellbeing & community: clubs and safe spaces that promote belonging, connection, emotional wellbeing and peer support.

Together, these projects reflect a shared commitment to investing in brighter futures for all young people in Westminster.

Read more about this year’s grants.

“We are very grateful to the Brighter Futures Fund donors – thank you all! This year we saw a record number of high-quality applications, reflecting the huge need for this kind of work. These grants will really make a difference: giving children and young people access to spaces where they can feel safe and welcomed, connect with friends, grow their confidence, learn new skills and have fun.”
Helen Mann, CEO, Young Westminster Foundation

Impact

With seven years of delivery, the Fund has a strong track record of impact. Explore the Brighter Futures Fund 2024 Evaluation Report for insights, data and case studies. Brighter Futures Fund 2024 evaluation report,

Our Partners and Donors

This year’s funding has been made possible through Westminster City Council and a wide network of corporate and philanthropic partners committed to strengthening youth provision in the borough, with contributions from:

The Aziz Foundation, Berkeley Estate Asset Management, Capital Arches Group, Church Street Partnership (Mount Anvil and Westminster City Council), Cordet, Derwent London, Eyre Estate, FM Conway, GPE, Global Holdings, Howard de Walden Estate, Lazari Investments, London Town Group, The Other House, Pentland Group, Shaftesbury Capital, St Giles and St George, Veolia.

“I am delighted that Westminster City Council has been able to continue supporting the Brighter Futures Fund, alongside strong contributions from local businesses and charities. Together we’ve funded 32 fantastic projects that will deliver opportunities for learning, play, skills and confidence-building.”
Sarah Newman, Executive Director of Children’s Services, Westminster City Council & RBKC

Demand continues to grow: this year we received 70 applications, totalling over £1 million in requests. YWF is committed to expanding the Fund to meet more local needs.

If you or your organisation would like to support the Brighter Futures Fund, please contact zahid@youngwestminster.com.

Future Funding

Details for the next Brighter Futures Fund round will be announced later this year. We anticipate launching the next cycle in October 2026, with delivery running January–December 2027.

This year’s funding has been made possible through Westminster City Council and a wide network of corporate and philanthropic partners committed to strengthening youth provision in the borough.