Education
Education
We are helping to improve the educational opportunities of local children and young people from birth to 25 years old in our area of benefit – please check the map. We understand education in its broadest sense and support a wide range of activities that extend personal, social, moral, mental and emotional development as well as enhancing learning.
We offer grants to not-for-profit organisations (including schools and churches) to deliver activities that support our mission.
Types of projects
We are interested in projects that fall into five categories:
- Children & Families – focus on younger children and their parents
- Education & Learning – seeking to increase attainment and also enhance the curriculum and learn new skills
- Emotional Well-Being – looking after children’s emotional and mental health
- Youth clubs & activities – after school childcare, open access youth provision (secondary age) and activities that engage young people
- Christian Education
We provide more information about our current grants below.
How much can you apply for?
The charity has a range of different grant programmes.
Small Grants
Maximum of £3,600 for one-off capital or revenue projects
VIEW DETAILS
Small Grants are open to all not-for-profit organisations – churches, schools, registered charities and social enterprises.
How much can we apply for?
The maximum funding for a Small Grant is £3,600.
What can we use it for?
This programme can be used for a wide variety of activities that increase the range of educational opportunities for children and young people. It is usually for one-off projects although it may also support smaller community activities.
For example:
- Environmental education initiatives
- School residential trips (mostly KS2)
- Enrichment activities (usually in partnership with external provider)
- Children’s activities at community events and festivals
- Christian Education such as Sunday School or Messy Church.
In addition, the Small Grants programme can sometimes fund capacity building grants to support organisational development projects such as strategic review, evaluation or fundraising strategy.*
*Capacity building grants are only available to organisations that the charity is already funding or has supported within the last three years.
When can we apply?
You can submit your application at any time and we expect to make a decision within six weeks.
How do we apply?
Please apply using the online application form.
Project Grants
Maximum of £12,000 for one-off capital or revenue projects
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Project Grants are open to all not-for-profit organisations – churches, schools, registered charities and social enterprises.
How much can we apply for?
The maximum funding for a Project Grant is £12,000.
What can we use it for?
This programme usually funds medium-term projects lasting from a few weeks up to one year, with a regular group of participants.
For example:
- Enrichment programme in school or youth club setting
- Environment education programme
- Community sports programme
- After-school and youth programmes
- Employability programme.
Please look at our current grants.
When can we apply?
There are quarterly deadlines, set about 5–6 weeks in advance of the Trustee meeting.
The deadlines for 2024-25 are:
- Monday 16 December 2024
- Monday 24 March 2025
- Monday 9 June 2025
- Monday 6 October 2025
- Monday 15 December 2025
How do we apply?
Please apply using the online application form.
Community
Investment Grants
Maximum of £18,500 per annum for up to three years for revenue projects
We introduced multi-year funding in 2017 in response to feedback from grant beneficiaries. We recognise that applicants appreciate the longer term funding commitment and reduction in form filling.
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Only applicants who:
- have received funding from the charity in the last three years;
AND
- can demonstrate a strong commitment to the local area through consistent service delivery and participation in local networks.
Please note this is not available to schools or projects working in a school setting.
How much can we apply for?
The maximum funding is £18,500 per annum for up to three years.
What can we use it for?
This three-year funding programme will fund local organisations delivering a wide range of opportunities supporting children and young people.
For example:
- After-school & homework clubs
- Open access youth provision
- Under 5s’ activity
- Youth mentoring
- Art therapy
- SEND youth club
- Music programme
- Family support
- Arts & therapy programme.
Please look at our current grants.
When can we apply?
There are quarterly deadlines, set about 5–6 weeks in advance of the Trustee meeting.
The deadlines for 2024-25 are:
- Monday 16 December 2024
- Monday 24 March 2025
- Monday 9 June 2025
- Monday 6 October 2025
- Monday 15 December 2025
How do we apply?
Please apply using the online application form.
Partnership Grants
Up to £50,000 per annum for up to three years
This is a discretionary programme. These larger grants are awarded to address a specific need that has been identified within the local area, and the Trustees agree is a priority. We would expect any such project to involve a partnership of charities or schools or both, all working together.
VIEW DETAILS
Partnership Grants are open to all not-for-profit organisations – churches, schools, registered charities and social enterprises. It is unlikely that we would fund an organisation that we are not familiar with for a strategic grant.
How much can we apply for?
There is no specific size for a Partnership Grant. It is anticipated that they would be large grants of between £15–50,000 per annum for up to three years.
What can we use it for?
The grant should be used for a revenue project. Our grant awards include:
- Two-year pilot of ‘Smart Gym’ using technology and games to train and teach core life skills (self-regulation, concentration, perseverance and reflection) in 5 primary schools
- Family therapy project working in six or more primary schools
- Full-time Speech and Language Therapist providing service across nine primary schools
When can we apply?
This programme is discretionary. If you have an idea for a suitable project then please send a short outline of your idea to the Clerk for an initial discussion. Please DO NOT submit unsolicited applications.
BEFORE
you apply for funding please read our detailed grant guidelines.
Current grants
During 2023, the Trustees agreed a grants budget of £343,000 for new grants, including the Family Welfare Fund.
Over the year, the Charity awarded 11 grants totalling £303,052 – 2 Small Grants, 5 Project Grants, 4 Community Investment Grants plus 4 Partnership Grants. The Charity also continues to support 11 Community Investment Grants awarded in previous years.
The majority of grantees had received grants from the Charity in the past.
Our current list of active projects is below:
Area | Organisation | Project | Summary | Grant | From | Until |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Children & Families | Cardinal Hume Centre | Wrap-around support for vulnerable families & children in the Westminster area | A 3-yr grant from Jan 2025-Dec 2027 providing core funding for their Family Centre. It offers educational activities/learning support 6 days a week for families who are homeless or in unsuitable temporary accommodation with children. | £55,500 | 01/01/2025 | 31/12/2027 |
Children & Families | Pimlico Toy Library | Play with a purpose | An unrestricted grant over 3 yrs from April 2024. They provide 6 stay-&-play sessions per week for children aged from 0-4 yrs & their families. Their toy library has 1,500 items which are available to borrow during this time. | £55,500 | 01/04/2024 | 31/03/2027 |
Children & Families | St Vincent's Family Project | SVFP Ready for School (Programme) | A 3-yr grant contributing to their Under 5's programme from Jan 2025. They offer stay-&-play sessions, a creche & parenting courses. The focus is preparing children aged 0-4 yrs for school/nursery transition. | £54,000 | 02/12/2024 | 30/11/2027 |
Children & Families | The Transforming Autism Project | Early Autism Intervention | A 1-yr grant to support children & families with autism (20 families). They offer 2 programmes - one designed for parents to create a community of support, & one programme that includes 1:1 support & home visits. | £10,735 | 01/12/2025 | 30/09/2026 |
Children & Families | Unfold (was WBaF) | Broadening Horizons Mentoring Programme | A 3-yr grant from Dec 2024 towards their Broadening Horizons programme. This offers weekly 1:1 mentoring for young people aged 10–25 in Westminster, with tailored support for those seeking asylum, in care or excluded from school. | £55,000 | 01/12/2024 | 31/12/2027 |
Christian Education | The Church of the Annunciation Bryanston Street | Children & Families Worker: Curriculum Design & Delivery 2026 | Sunday School provision: KS2 learning Latin language to support linguistic development & secure foundations of Christianity. | £2,000 | 01/03/2026 | 31/12/2026 |
Education & Learning | Abbey Community Association | The Abbey Centre - After School & Homework Club | A youth club delivering evening sessions starting straight after school, 3 times a week. They deliver art club, homework club & exercise club, currently 42 members. | £36,000 | 01/04/2026 | 31/03/2029 |
Education & Learning | AllChild (fka West London Zone) | AllChild’s Impact Programme in South Westminster | An early intervention programme from Sep 2024-Aug 2027 focusing on at-risk children at the tipping point of need. It will work with 4 Westminster schools & is a holistic programme. | £45,000 | 01/09/2024 | 31/07/2027 |
Education & Learning | Climate Ed | Children's carbon literacy & climate action project | A project for KS2 children in Westminster primary schools. It delivers workshops on climate change, CO2 & sustainability. | £3,000 | 15/04/2024 | 18/07/2026 |
Education & Learning | Doorstep Library | Doorstep Library - Pimlico Reading Provision | A 3-yr grant from April 2025 to deliver in south Westminster. They train volunteers to provide weekly Home-Reading sessions to children aged 2-11 from low-income families. They introduce them to stories & encourage them to read for pleasure. | £55,500 | 01/04/2025 | 31/03/2028 |
Education & Learning | Holborn Community Association | HCA’s Core Movement & Play Programmes for Children & Young People | A 3-yr grant for Play sessions (free, 4 mornings per week for Under 5s). It will include 'Recreational Gymnastics & Dance', My Move (free, girls-only fitness for 10-16s). They project 550 CYP & 350 adults will benefit annually. | £55,500 | 01/12/2025 | 31/12/2028 |
Education & Learning | Pimlico Musical Foundation | PMF’s Children’s Programmes: enhancing & expanding our delivery | A partnership grant for 3 yrs for PMF to expand their current programme. They want to do the following: KS1 provision, Young Leader scheme for talented students who want further development (ages 16-18 yrs) & to develop their current curriculum. | £105,000 | 01/08/2025 | 31/08/2028 |
Education & Learning | St Barnabas PS | Latin Programme | The Latin Programme is a teaching programme delivered in school. A Latin teacher delivers weekly Latin lessons in school for Year 3-6. They aim to reach 65-70 pupils. | £12,000 | 18/09/2025 | 16/07/2026 |
Emotional Well-Being | DreamArts | Experiment Programme | A 3-yr grant from March 2024-March 2027 to deliver the Experiment programme in south Westminster. A creative programme supporting 35-40 YP per year (aged 6-13) focusing on self expression, ie: theatre performances, short films. | £45,000 | 01/03/2024 | 31/03/2027 |
Emotional Well-Being | Greenhouse Sports | Positive Transitions - Pimlico | A 3-yr grant for a full-time coach-mentor that will be placed at Pimlico Primary & Millbank Academy to support pupils in Years 3–6. Coaches will work with schools to identify students who are struggling academically, displaying behavioural issues, etc. | £55,500 | 01/09/2025 | 31/08/2028 |
Emotional Well-Being | St Vincent's Family Project | Family Therapy Service | Family therapy service providing a ½ day per week support at 4 schools for individual pupils & their families. | £21,120 | 05/09/2025 | 29/08/2026 |
Youth Clubs & Activities | Caxton Youth Organisation | Raising aspirations of learning disabled & autistic young people | Requesting unrestricted funding to run their SEND youth club. They do sessions during the week, residential trips & each young person has a 1:1 mentor. | £55,500 | 10/02/2026 | 31/01/2029 |
Youth Clubs & Activities | Covent Garden Dragon Hall Trust | Dragon Hall - Play & Youth Work | A 3-yr grant from Jan 2025 providing core funding for their Youth Programme. They offer a range of free after-school clubs & youth clubs every weekday during term time for 8-19 yr olds living in Holborn & Covent Garden. | £53,898 | 01/01/2025 | 31/12/2027 |
Youth Clubs & Activities | London Tigers | Churchill Gardens Youth Hub | A youth club for 8-19 yr olds at Churchill Gardens catering to 100-120 CYP. Taking over from 'Future Men', they are providing this service for 12-17 mths under the permission of Westminster Council until they find a permanent provider for the space. | £55,500 | 02/12/2024 | 31/03/2027 |
Youth Clubs & Activities | St Andrew's Youth Club | St Andrew's Youth Club | Core funding for St Andrew's Youth Club. It supports 470+ YP a year & is open 48 wks of the year for 5-18 yrs. They run a Youth Development programme & also have physical activities & a gym. | £55,500 | 01/06/2026 | 30/06/2028 |
Youth Clubs & Activities | The Pimlico Foundation | Outbreak Youth Charity | A 3-yr unrestricted grant to Outbreak youth programme. They offer children & young people (aged 8+) a range of activities including mentoring, school work, holiday clubs & sports, plus hot chocolate Thursdays. | £45,000 | 04/09/2023 | 31/08/2026 |