Funding to Support Social and Criminal Justice Projects in the UK

The Charles Hayward Foundation supports projects which help to prevent people entering the criminal justice system, and which support those in contact with the system to rebuild their lives.

UK registered charities with an annual income of between £350,000 and £4 million can apply for grants of between £15,000 and £25,000 per year over one to three years.

The funding is for projects that address the following:

• Targeted early intervention programmes aimed at reaching the most troubled and vulnerable families in a community.
• Tailored 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.
• Programmes of support that alleviate the consequences of domestic abuse.

The trustees look for projects which:

• Address multiple and complex needs with a range of appropriate interventions.
• Are tailored to individual needs and local situations involving families and communities; these can be designed and delivered in partnership.
• Are of appropriate duration and intensity, have a clear rationale, and are properly monitored and evaluated.
• Have a plan for the future, including an ‘exit strategy’.

The Foundation is also open to creative and specialist approaches and trialling new solutions.

There is a two-stage application process. This year, there are three deadlines for Stage 1 applications. 

Applications are currently being accepted for the third round of 2025.

The Small Grant Programme is open and applications are accepted any time (for projects for Older People). An application form is available to download online.

Submission to the Main Grants (Social and Criminal Justice, Overseas) programme is a two stage process as follows:

• Stage 1: A Grant Committee meets on a quarterly basis. The Committee’s role is to forward applications to stage 2.
• Stage 2: Applications recommended by the Grant Committee are considered at one of the Trustees’ meetings which take place periodically and are usually held in: March; July; and November.

The 2025 deadlines for Stage 1 Main Grants are:

• 31 January for consideration in March
• 23 May for consideration in July
• 19 September for consideration in November

For the Main Grants Programme, there is no application form. Applicants should read the guidelines before starting the application process. The proposal should be no more than four A4 pages in length and submitted by email to grants@charleshaywardfoundation.org.uk and include: