OUR GRANTMAKING PRINCIPLES
We understand the importance of funding organisations in an open and trusting way, which is why Young H&F is proud to be signed up to the Institute for Voluntary Action Research’s (IVAR) eight grant-making commitments. Young H&F regularly reflects on its grant-making practice to ensure that it remains fair, transparent and responsive to the needs of our community.
RESPECT PEOPLE’ TIME
We don’t believe in long-winded forms or mystery criteria.
We know time is precious, especially when you’re busy delivering real impact. That’s why we’re committed to making our grantmaking process straightforward and efficient. Each funding pot will have clear criteria that we’ll share that upfront. We’ll reach out directly to organisations that are eligible and if an application isn’t successful, we’ll let you know within a month and offer constructive feedback. We also make sure our forms are manageable - no more than 1,000 words, and 8 hours or less to complete.
ONLY ASK WHAT MATTERS
No drowning in questions.
We believe in asking questions that genuinely help move things forward. In both applications and monitoring, we’ll only request information that supports our funding decisions or helps us understand your impact. Since many of our grantmaking panels include young people, we focus on asking questions that make sense to them too, and if information about your organisation is already publicly available, we won’t ask you to repeat it.
EMBRACE THOUGHTFUL RISK
We’re not scared of the word ‘new’.
Young H&F knows that innovation doesn’t always come with a track record, which is why we’re open to funding smaller or newer organisations that may not yet have long financial histories. We’re willing to take calculated risks on new ideas provided we’ve done our due diligence. We also accept that not every project will go exactly as planned, and when that happens, we’ll work with you to adapt. What we won’t compromise on are safeguarding and compliance - for obvious reasons. Our approach is rooted in building authentic, trusting relationships that help reduce risk and increase impact.
BE MORE FLEXIBLE
We get that plans change sometimes.
Young H&F recognises that real life and youth work delivery doesn’t always follow a fixed budget. That’s why we offer different types of grants, from core and project funding to direct grants for young people. If the way you use the funding shifts, you just need to let us know. We’re here to help you adapt and navigate challenges, not penalise you. We monitor funding based on learning, community impact and shared outcomes, not just numbers in a spreadsheet.
MOVE FAST AND FAIRLY
We respect your timelines too.
We keep things moving because we know that your work with young people can’t afford to wait. Young H&F is committed to clearly communicating all grant timelines, allowing enough time for applications, and sticking to our deadlines. For most of our funding pots, decisions are made within 30 days, and payments are issued within 14 days after that. You’ll always know when to expect a decision - and when the funds will come into your account.
STAY OPEN AND HONEST
Honesty is the best policy.
Transparency is a huge part of our funding process. Our criteria, priorities and timelines are published and easy to find. We remain open to feedback and change and our approach is shaped by young people, our members and our wider community. We share our decisions clearly and offer feedback to support learning, and every year we invite feedback on our processes, because we’re always genuinely looking to improve.
COMMUNICATE WITH PURPOSE
Jargon-free and no-nonsense.
Communication should make things easier, not harder. We’re committed to being accessible and responsive, so if someone has a barrier to written communication, for example, we’ll speak in person or virtually. Young H&F shares deadlines and timelines clearly, and we’re available to support applicants throughout the funding process, not just at the application stage. This might mean helping with safeguarding policies, or making introductions to others in our network. We aim to be a partner, not just a provider.
BE PROPORTIONATE
Small grants shouldn’t come with big admin.
When grants are small, processes should be simple. For our grants of up to £6,000, we keep the paperwork light and the process practical. We offer support every step of the way, virtually or in person, and we also run events around topics like bid writing to help you build your skills. We know that making long-lasting impact takes time, so we’re open to repeat grants where it makes sense. We don’t believe in making people jump through hoops for small-scale funding, we believe in removing barriers.