Aims/priorities: The Ideas and Pioneers Fund provides grants to individuals, groups and small organisations who are focused on exploring an innovative new idea or approach for change. The funding is for ideas that have a charitable purpose and for any activity that will help the applicant to learn about, test and explore an idea for social change.
The Foundation wants to support people aged 18-30 who have lived experience of the issues their ideas are looking to address or who have been let down or harmed by current systems.
Who can apply? Applications will be accepted from:
- Individuals.
- Groups or collectives working together (it is not a requirement to be a registered organisation).
- Organisations of any legal structure with a turnover of under £150,000.
Priority is given to people aged 18–30, however, consideration is given to applications from those aged 30 years and older.
The fund focuses on both the idea for social change, as well as the person and their potential.
The focus is on people who:
- Have a connection to the idea they want to explore – with priority given to people who have personally experienced the issue they want to work on.
- Are ready to take action. They should have a strong sense of their idea or vision and what they would do next if they were successful in receiving funding.
- Face barriers in accessing grant funding. Support is aimed at reaching people who would benefit from it the most, including those who haven’t had the opportunity to use grant funding before.
Grant amount: Grants of up to £20,000 and a programme of support will be available to help individuals and organisations develop their skills and ideas.
Pre-application access support and a bursary of up to £750 are available.
Application process: To apply, applicants must first register on the Foundation's online application portal. Applicants will then be referred to the relevant application form.
Deadline: Tuesday 2 December 2025 at 1pm.
Contact information: Email: ideas@phf.org.uk