Allen Lane Foundation

The Allen Lane Foundation is a grant-making trust which was set up in 1966 by the late Sir Allen Lane, founder of Penguin Books, to support general charitable causes. The Foundation has no connection with the publishing company, but five of the Trustees are members of the founder’s family.

Objectives of Fund

The Foundation makes grants to voluntary not-for-profit organisations in the UK for work which benefits groups of people who are under-represented in UK society. 

Overall, the Foundation wishes to fund work which:

• Will make a lasting difference to people’s lives rather than simply alleviating the symptoms or current problems.
• Is aimed at reducing isolation, stigma and discrimination.
• Encourages or enables unpopular groups to share in the life of the whole community.

Value Notes

The Foundation typically makes around 130 to 150 grants in a year with a total value of between £720,000 and £800,000.

The maximum grant is £15,000. This can be a single grant, or over two to three years.

The average grant is £5,000 to £6,000

Who Can Apply

Small registered charities, voluntary groups and charitable organisations in the UK can apply.

Registered charities are eligible to apply as well as other organisations which are not charities, but which seek funding for a charitable project. This could include, for example, constituted voluntary groups or Community Interest Companies (CICs).

To make sure its grants have an impact, the Foundation will not fund larger organisations. If an organisation works in a relatively local area – a village, or estate or small town – to be eligible it will have an income of less than about £100,000.  At the other end of the spectrum, an organisation which works across the whole of the UK will be eligible if it has an income of not more than about £250,000.

Organisations whose work solely benefits people within Greater London cannot apply. However, if their work benefits people across a much wider area, then they may be considered.

Location

United Kingdom (but not for work within Greater London)

How To Apply

Applications received up until 6 December 2024 are likely to be considered at the February 2025 meeting.

Applications can be made at any time and are considered three times a year, generally in February, June and October.

Processing an application and making a grant usually takes between two and six months. Groups should apply as soon as they are ready as applications are processed ‘all the time’.

The Foundation has an online application system. The first step is to go through the online eligibility quiz. Those who are eligible will be directed to the application form.

Groups with queries should contact the following people at the Foundation.

Contact Tim Cutts for enquiries or applications relating to the following beneficiary groups:

• Offenders and ex-offenders.
• Older people.
• Young people.

Contact Gill Aconley for enquiries or applications relating to the following beneficiary groups:

• Asylum seekers and refugees.
• Gypsies and Travellers.
• People experiencing mental health problems.
• People experiencing violence or abuse.

For a full list of eligible expenditure, restrictions or to apply please visit https://allenlane.org.uk/