Young Camden Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £900,000+ (approximately)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2-3 weeks after application deadline
• Grant Range: £500 - £10,000 (depending on programme)
• Geographic Focus: London Borough of Camden only
• Total Distributed Since 2017: £3.2+ million

Contact Details

Website: www.youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk

Email: grants@youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 07736 714426

Address: LABS Atrium, Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8AH

Charity Number: 1172314

Pre-application support: Contact grants@youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk for specific queries about eligibility or programmes

Overview

Young Camden Foundation was established in 2017 as a joint venture between London Borough of Camden and John Lyon's Charity in response to cuts in central government funding to local authorities affecting youth and play services. Since inception, YCF has awarded over £3.2 million in small grants to member organisations, directly benefiting more than 20,000 children and young people in Camden. The foundation operates as a membership-led infrastructure charity supporting 170+ member organisations and 160+ partner organisations working with children, young people, and families (ages 0-25) in Camden. Their mission is "to ensure that the incredible resources in our borough are put at the disposal of Camden's children and young people... so that every young person in Camden has equal access to our borough's incredible opportunities." YCF distributes approximately £900,000 annually across multiple programmes, supporting programmes that reach thousands of children and young people across Camden.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small & Mighty Fund: £5,000 (most grants) - £10,000

• For organisations with annual income under £250,000
• Supports after-school/weekend youth work, play provision, educational workshops, excursions, project resources
• Core funding available for organisations under £100,000 annual income
• Applications typically open in February via online portal

Heads Up! Mental Health Fund: Up to £3,500

• Supports play or youth work addressing mental health
• Covers staff training on mental health issues
• Priority given to specific Camden wards (Fortune Green, Frognal, Gospel Oak)
• Applications typically open in June, with decisions in August

Supplementary Education Fund: £500 - £3,500

• Core subject focus (English, Maths, Science)
• Preference for face-to-face learning
• Funded by John Lyon's Charity and NISA's Making A Difference Locally
• Applications typically open in March

Brighter Futures Fund: Amount TBC

• Improves employment outcomes and professional skills for young people
• Applications typically open in August

Holiday Opportunities Fund: Amount TBC

• Provides enriching activities during school holidays
• Applications typically open in May

Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme: Amounts vary

• Statutory programme for school holidays
• Includes meals and activities

Priority Areas

• Youth work and play provision for children and young people (0-25 years)
• Mental health support and wellbeing programmes
• Employment skills and professional development for young people
• Supplementary education in core subjects
• Holiday activities and food programmes
• Projects promoting equal access to opportunities in Camden
• Support for small and micro organisations (under £250,000 income)

What They Don't Fund

• Organisations with annual turnover over £5,000,000
• CICs limited by shares (only CICs limited by guarantee eligible)
• Core costs for organisations with income over £100,000 (Small & Mighty Fund)
• Non-educational excursion tickets
• Regular ongoing youth programmes that are not innovative or additional
• Venue hire (for some programmes like Heads Up! Fund)
• Work outside Camden borough
• Non-member organisations (membership is free but required)

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Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees: Martin Pratt CBE

Martin Pratt took over from Fiona Millar, who chaired the board for seven years. He brings over thirty-five years of experience in Children's Services and Education and was awarded a CBE in the 2025 New Year Honours list for his service to children, young people, and families in London.

Chief Executive Officer: Daisy-Rose Srblin

Board of Trustees includes:

• Niels - Spent 30 years in investment and corporate banking before transitioning to the charitable sector; currently studying for a Masters in Charity Accounting and Financial Management
• Hdayet (Young Trustee) - Grew up in Camden, was deputy Youth MP for Camden, Vice Chair for FYA Youth Ambassadors, and a YCF Young Ambassador
• Sophie - Sits on Camden's Start Well Family Hubs Board

The organisation is governed by a dedicated team of trustees and associate trustees, demonstrating commitment to diverse representation including young trustees with lived experience in Camden.

How to Apply to Young Camden Foundation

How to Apply

Membership Requirement: All applicants must first become YCF members (free). Apply at: https://form.jotform.com/242974440080051 or contact membership@youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk

Application Method: Online application portal with specific forms for each grant programme. Custom budget templates required (provided by YCF). Video application option available for some programmes.

Contact for Queries: grants@youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk

Decision Timeline

Applications typically follow this pattern:

• Application window: 2-4 weeks
• Q&A webinar offered during application period (optional)
• Decision timeline: 2-3 weeks after application deadline closes

Specific deadlines vary by programme and funding round.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, YCF has supported 202 projects since inception and makes multiple awards across different programmes each funding round, suggesting competitive but accessible funding for members.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply in the next funding round. YCF provides a brief explanation for unsuccessful applications but cannot provide detailed feedback due to high application volumes. Organisations that recently received a Main Grant from John Lyon's Charity may not be eligible for Small & Mighty Fund.

Application Success Factors

What the Grants Panel Looks For

The grants panel evaluates applications based on these criteria:

1. Programme Clarity: “Is the project clearly defined and well-thought-out?” Strong applications demonstrate clear programmes with specific times, locations, activities, staffing numbers, and expected participant numbers.

1. Impact Potential: "Does the project have the potential to improve participants' mental health, confidence, and/or self-esteem? Does the project introduce innovative or creative approaches?"

1. Participation Strategy: “Are there clear strategies for ensuring participation and retention of participants? How will the project create lasting positive impacts for the participants and the community?” Programmes that encourage consistent participation are prioritised.

1. Organisational Capacity: “Does the organisation demonstrate the capacity to manage and deliver the proposed project effectively?”

1. Accessibility and Inclusivity: “Does the project ensure accessibility and inclusivity for all intended participants?”

1. Budget Reasonableness: Clear, realistic budgets using YCF's template are essential.

Recently Funded Projects (Examples)

• NW5 Project: Half-term activities for young people including hot meals and off-site trips
• CARIS Families: Day trips for children in temporary accommodation to theatre and Children's Story Centre
• Creators House: DJ workshop for young people with experienced teacher
• King's Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Association (KCBNA): FIFA PlayStation World Cup tournament and regular Boxercise sessions

Standing Out

• Demonstrate clear understanding of need in specific Camden communities
• Show innovative approaches to youth work, mental health, or education
• Include concrete participation and retention strategies
• Emphasise collaboration and cross-sector working (YCF values collaboration)
• For smaller organisations (under £100,000), emphasise need for core funding support
• Use language around “equal access to opportunities” and “improving lives of children and young people in Camden”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Membership is mandatory but free - Apply for membership well before grant deadlines; this is the primary barrier to entry
• Camden-specific focus is non-negotiable - All work must be in Camden with young people who live or attend school in the borough
• Small organisation friendly - YCF actively supports small and micro organisations; organisations under £100,000 can apply for core costs
• Be specific and concrete - Panel looks for clearly defined programmes with specific details about times, locations, activities, and participant numbers
• Innovation matters - Even for established programmes, show what's innovative or additional about your approach
• Quick turnaround - Decision timelines are relatively fast (2-3 weeks), so be prepared to start projects soon after approval
• Collaboration is valued - YCF's mission centres on cross-sector collaboration; showing partnerships strengthens applications
• Reapplication is encouraged - Don't be discouraged by rejection; you can reapply in the next round with brief feedback provided

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• John Lyon's Charity
• The Arts Council Of England
• Jack Petchey Foundation
• Camden Giving
• The Bridge Trust
• The Childhood Trust
• The D'oyly Carte Charitable Trust
• The Kensington And Chelsea Foundation
• National Lottery
• The Mackintosh Foundation
• Mayor Of London
• The Hampstead Wells And Campden Trust
• The Lightbulb Trust
• The Progress Foundation
• The Andor Charitable Trust
• The Charlotte Bonham-carter Charitable Trust
• The Boris Karloff Charitable Foundation
• The Free School
• City Harvest
• Our Helping Hands

References

• Young Camden Foundation Official Website: https://youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk/
• Young Camden Foundation About Us: https://youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk/about-us
• Small and Mighty Fund Page: https://youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk/ycf-small-and-mighty-fund
• Heads Up! Mental Health Fund: https://youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk/heads-up-mental-health-fund
• Supplementary Education Fund: https://youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk/supplementary-education-fund
• Funding Opportunities: https://youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk/funding/index
• Grant Program Information and Eligibility: https://youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk/info-and-eligibility
• Membership Information: https://youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk/membership
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1172314
• Camden Council News: “New foundation offers grants to boost youth services in Camden” https://news.camden.gov.uk/new-foundation-launches-grants-to-boost-youth-services-in-camden/
• We Make Camden Profile: https://www.wemakecamden.org.uk/young-camden-foundation/
• Young Camden Foundation Appoints New Chair of Trustees: https://youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk/blog/entry/young-camden-foundation-appoints-new-chair-of-trustees-martin-pratt