Grassroots youth charities to receive additional support in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

Last year, John Lyon’s Charity ring-fenced £22 million on top of its usual budget, to be spent over six years to support the Children and Young People (CYP) sector in its recovery from the impacts of the pandemic.

One year later, the Charity has confirmed a further £4 million commitment to London-based CYP charities, in line with its long-term strategy focusing on Home, School and Community: the three main points of reference in a child’s life.

Dr Lynne Guyton, CEO of John Lyon’s Charity, said of the increase:

“The Charity has spent the last thirty years contributing to the maintenance and effectiveness of a varied and vibrant CYP sector in London. Therefore, we could not sit by and watch the pandemic threaten and destroy the many vital organisations we have supported over the years. Our groups are starting to rebuild all that was lost during the pandemic but there is no denying that these organisations will need support for the foreseeable”.

John Lyon’s Charity offers a range funding programmes, each with a core focus on CYP, in areas such as Art and Science, Emotional Wellbeing, and Special Needs and Disability.

Full funding guidelines for each programme can be found on the John Lyon’s Charity website.

How To Apply

Applications for the:

• Main Grants Fund are considered three times a year in March, June and November.
• Schools in Partnership Fund are considered three times a year in March, June and November.
• Small Grants Fund are considered at least six times a year and there are no application deadlines. The Charity aims to ensure that funds are awarded in a timely manner, relevant to project delivery dates (eg, before school holidays).
• School Holiday Activity Fund are accepted at any time, but must be submitted by the following deadlines: Summer holidays - 1 June; October half-term - 21 September; Christmas holidays - 16 November; February half-term - 18 January; Easter - five weeks before East Monday; May half-term - 25 April.

For the Main Grants, Schools in Partnership and Small Grant Funds there is a two-stage application process, which is started by a proposal letter. If this letter is positively assessed, organisations will be invited to submit a Stage Two Application Form. Applicants should note that it takes at least six months for the application process to be completed and organisations are advised to apply in plenty of time before their project is due to start.

For the School Holiday Activity Fund and School Explorer Fund, there is a one stage application process.

Guidelines can be found on the website of the John Lyon’s Charity.