Published: June 12 2026
Category: Grants
Locations: British, Isles
The Charles Hayward Foundation funds projects which help to prevent people entering the criminal justice system and which support those in contact with the system to rebuild their lives. Eligible UK registered charities are encouraged to review the details below and submit their proposals.
Who Can Apply
UK registered charities that have an annual income between £350,000 and £4,000,000 are eligible to apply. The foundation is unlikely to make a grant to large charities which have endowments, make grants themselves, hold large reserves or have substantial contractual arrangements with the government.
Where We Fund
The foundation funds projects operating in the British Isles. The quality of the projects is considered more important than their geographical location.
What We Fund
The foundation only funds projects in the following sub categories. Targeted early intervention programmes aimed at reaching the most troubled and vulnerable families in a community. Targeted preventative and diversionary projects for young people at risk of offending including interventions identifying and addressing the particular needs of girls and young women. Programmes combining prison based and community interventions dealing with the rehabilitation of offenders, accommodation and support on release, maintaining family relationships, mentoring, and creating pathways to employment. Schemes offering viable alternatives to custody in particular for women and young people.
What Is Not Funded
In the Social and Criminal Justice category the foundation does not fund policy and research, short term interventions, trips and youth volunteering, uniformed organisations, generic youth programmes, capital projects, immigration advice or support, and legal advice. General funding exclusions also apply.
Project Funding Priorities
The trustees look for projects which address multiple and complex needs with a range of appropriate interventions. Projects should be tailored to individual needs and local situations involving families and communities and can be designed and delivered in partnership. Projects should be of appropriate duration and intensity, have a clear rationale, and be properly monitored and evaluated. Projects must have a plan for the future including an exit strategy. The foundation is also open to creative and specialist approaches and trialling new solutions.
How Much Can Be Applied For
The trustees will fund projects over one to three years with grants of £15,000 to £25,000 per annum.
How To Apply
A proposal of no more than four A4 pages in length should be submitted by email to [email protected]. Applicants should double check that their charity meets the eligibility criteria and that the project fits within the guidance provided. The main reason applications are rejected or not responded to is because they do not meet the criteria or funding priorities.
Required Information For Application
The application must include the charity name, address, and registered charity number. Contact details including name and position within the organisation, contact telephone number, and email address are required.
A description of the charity must be provided including present work, where it is delivered, priorities being addressed, and its impact. The scale of operation must be quantified including how many people are helped and how.
The project title and description must be provided including how the project will be delivered and the number of people and groups who will benefit. Project outcomes must be described including expected outputs and outcomes and how monitoring and evaluation will be undertaken. If the project is ongoing or has been delivered previously past project outcomes must be provided to demonstrate effectiveness.
A project budget must be provided with a breakdown of total project costs. The budget must include a breakdown of any funds raised to date towards the project budget including any of the applicant own funds going towards the project, the outstanding shortfall representing the amount still needed to raise, and details of any funding applications submitted that are awaiting a decision.
A timetable stating when the project will start and be finished is required. If the project is ongoing the date that funding is required from must be specified. One set of the latest accounts, annual report if available, and a list of trustees if not referenced in the accounts must be included. If accounts show a significant surplus or deficit or high or low reserves this should be explained briefly. If accounts are more than 12 months old draft or management accounts for the most recent financial year must be provided.
Applications submitted without all of the above information cannot be considered and the charity will not be eligible to submit a new application for one year.
When To Apply
The Social and Criminal Justice category has a two stage funding process. Details of this and the application submission deadlines can be found on the foundation website.
More Details: Charles Hayward Foundation – Social & Criminal Justice Grant
