The Persimmon Charitable Foundation is running its open application programme for a second year, with an increased funding pot of £300,000 available for charities helping young people into work.

The first funding round opens today (Monday, March 2^nd) – with three £50,000 donations available for registered charities that support employability among young people.

Once again, the Foundation is looking to fund UK-based projects focused on:

• children and young people aged 14-25
• areas of economic and social deprivation.

Before applying, organisations should consider these guidelines and decide whether their project meets the Foundation’s focus on helping young people into work. Applications should include the proposed impact of the funding, including measurable outcomes.

The open application programme launched in 2025 to give more charities the opportunity to access £200,000 of Foundation funding. Last year, the Foundation awarded four £50,000 donations to registered charities working with young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), or identified at risk of becoming NEET.

With the Foundation’s support, Thanet Community Development Trust has run 10 cohorts of its Build a Future scheme, helping young people in Kent to gain the qualifications needed to work in construction. Bothwell Futures is using its donation to fund another two years of its employability programme for 16-year-olds in Bothwell and surrounding areas in South Lanarkshire. Bristol City Robins is piloting two programmes providing tailored mentoring, life skills development and wellbeing support: one aimed at 14 to16-year-olds and another for 18 to 25-year-olds. And Stephen and George Charitable Trust is using the donation to extend its alternative education and youth development programme for young people attending Pupil Referral Units, and those at risk of exclusion, in Merthyr Tydfil.

Anthony Vigor, Chair of the Foundation, said: “We were amazed by the response to our open application programme, with 1,210 applications for funding received last year. We want to support more charities working to change outcomes for young people and support them in their education, or into training or work, which is why we’ve increased our funding pot to £300,000 this year.”

The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on Sunday, March 15th. Successful applicants will be informed in May. To find out more, or to apply, click here.

Please note, funding will be awarded to registered charities only. Registered charities that were unsuccessful last year may apply again. Community groups and other charitable organisations are encouraged to apply for funding through Persimmon plc’s Community Champions scheme, which is separate from the Foundation’s charitable giving. To find out more, visit the Community Champions website.