The Allen Lane Foundation was established by Sir Allen Lane, who set up the publishing company Penguin Books. The foundation awards funding for charitable purposes across the UK, focusing on specific groups that experience marginalisation and/or discrimination.
There are seven funding programmes:
Asylum seekers and refugees – the foundation has updated its focus, now supporting projects that benefit women. The funding in this strand is therefore for work that promotes the inclusion of female asylum seekers and refugees, and helps with their integration and settling into life in the UK.
Gypsy, Roma and traveller communities – for raising awareness of the issues facing Gypsy and Traveller communities and work to combat hate crime, stigma, discrimination and inequalities, including the lack of appropriate accommodation or other service provision
People with mental health issues – specifically, supporting mental health charities that provide services and activities for people with moderate/severe mental health conditions, including user-led groups
Offenders and ex-offenders – the foundation now focuses funding solely on organisations supporting female offenders, and those in prison for violence against women
Older people – for work to reduce loneliness and isolation, improve physical and mental wellbeing and help to maintain independence and quality of life for older people, especially for those in rural and more deprived areas
People affected by violence or abuse – for projects aimed at education and the prevention of abuse, and the provision of practical alternatives to violence and conflict resolution.
Young people – for work to benefit children and young people aged 12-21 who are vulnerable, socially excluded or marginalised, focusing on those children who are considered persistently absent from school, those leaving school with no qualifications, and children and young people in/leaving care
Grants are for registered charities and other organisations doing charitable work, such as constituted voluntary groups or Community Interest Companies (CICs). Funding is not available for schools, colleges, universities, NHS bodies or town/city/county councils.
The maximum grant is £15,000 but the average grant size is £5,000 to £6,000.
Focus of fund/fund aims:
Support for charitable work that addresses isolation, stigma and discrimination among specific groups of people
Application deadline:
You can apply at any time. Applications will be considered three times a year. For consideration at the June meeting, you will need to apply by 11 April 2025.