Young Westminster Foundation (YWF) is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity for eligible* YWF members.
Organisations that meet the criteria outlined below can apply for core funding grants of up to £8,000 for one year. All applications must be submitted by 21 September 2026.
This core funding round offers flexible funding that can be used towards salaries, communications, operations, governance, overheads, and other essential running costs that are not project-specific.
YWF is pleased to offer this funding in response to feedback from members highlighting the need for greater access to unrestricted core funding.
The YWF Small Grants Fund has been made available through John Lyon’s Charity (JLC) with the specific aim of strengthening smaller grassroots organisations that provide opportunities for children and young people in Westminster and are not eligible to receive funding directly from JLC.
Eligible organisations
- Community Interest Companies (CICs) with an asset lock, at least two bank signatories, and three unrelated directors.
- Registered charities (including CIOs, charitable trusts, charitable associations, and charitable companies) that have not received a John Lyon’s Charity Main/Open Grant within the last three years.*
- Existing members of the Young Westminster Foundation that:
- have been members for at least three months; and
- are currently working directly with children and young people aged 0-25 in Westminster.
- Have a most recently reported annual turnover of less than £250,000.
- Have a primary focus on benefiting children and young people in Westminster
Organisations that are not eligible
- Private Limited Companies
- Companies Limited by Guarantee
- Unincorporated groups
- Social Enterprises
- Supplementary Schools**
* This requirement helps ensure support is targeted towards organisations that are not eligible for funding through John Lyon’s Charity’s Main/Open Grants Programme.
** Supplementary Schools may be eligible to apply directly to John Lyon’s Charity.
Please note
This is the final round of the YWF Small Grants Fund – Core Funding, funded by John Lyon’s Charity through the Young Westminster Foundation, for the foreseeable future. This programme was established as a time-limited funding opportunity for YWF members and is now coming to an end.
While there may be further funding opportunities in the future, there is currently no confirmed funding beyond this round. Should any new opportunities become available, we will share details with members as soon as possible.
Please also note that providers who are successful in receiving core funding via this small grants fund will not be eligible to apply for Brighter Futures project funding in 2026-7.
More information
If you have any questions or require further information about the guidance or application form, please contact:
Hazel Pedlar
hazel@youngwestminster.com
07426 217044
Closing date for applications: Monday 21 September 2026
Resources to use when preparing an application
Core Funding Application Guidance
Core Funding Application Form
Core Funding Budget Template
Core Funding Organisational Budget
