Submit Applications for Equity in Justice Fund (United Kingdom)

The Equity in Justice Fund provides long-term funding to UK charitable organizations that support racially minoritised young men aged 18–25 who are involved with the criminal justice system. The fund will award 13 grants of £200,000 over three to five years to organizations delivering specialist, person-centred, and holistic support services.

What Is the Equity in Justice Fund?

The Equity in Justice Fund is a grant programme that aims to improve equitable access to support services for racially minoritised young men aged 18 to 25 who have experience with the criminal justice system.

The fund supports organizations that provide tailored services designed to address the unique challenges faced by these young men. It prioritizes long-term, holistic approaches that promote rehabilitation, wellbeing, inclusion, and positive life outcomes.

Grant Objectives

The Equity in Justice Fund aims to:

• Improve access to specialist support services.
• Reduce inequalities within the criminal justice system.
• Support racially minoritised young men aged 18–25.
• Promote person-centred and holistic support.
• Encourage long-term rehabilitation and social inclusion.
• Strengthen organizations that incorporate lived experience into their services and governance.

Funding Information

The Foundation plans to award:

• 13 grants

Each successful organization may receive:

• £200,000

Funding can be received over:

• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years

Applicants will be asked to choose their preferred funding period during the application process.

What the Fund Supports

The Foundation is looking to fund organizations that:

• Provide specialist services for racially minoritised young men.
• Deliver support that addresses the specific needs of young men aged 18–25 involved with the criminal justice system.
• Offer person-centred services tailored to individual circumstances.
• Deliver holistic support covering multiple aspects of wellbeing and rehabilitation.
• Provide long-term support rather than short-term interventions.
• Embed lived experience throughout service delivery, organizational leadership, and governance.

Eligible Activities

Examples of eligible support services may include:

• Rehabilitation programmes
• Mentoring and coaching
• Employment and skills development
• Education and training support
• Mental health and wellbeing services
• Family and community support
• Advocacy and case management
• Reintegration and resettlement programmes

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include charitable organizations that:

• Are registered and operating in the United Kingdom.
• Are registered charities.
• Are Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs).
• Are not-for-profit Community Interest Companies (CICs) with an asset lock.
• Are other charitable not-for-profit organizations delivering work aligned with the Foundation’s strategy.

Applicants must also:

• Have at least one year of published accounts that have been independently examined or audited.
• Have a proven track record of at least 18 months delivering specialist services for the target group.

Organizational Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate that they:

• Deliver specialist services for racially minoritised young men.
• Have experience working with individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
• Provide long-term, person-centred support.
• Integrate lived experience into programme design and governance.
• Have sound financial management and organizational capacity.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The following organizations are not eligible:

• Organizations that were rejected from the Equity in Justice Fund within the previous 12 months.
• Organizations without at least one year of audited or independently examined published accounts.
• Organizations that do not meet the charitable or not-for-profit eligibility requirements.
• Organizations without a proven track record of delivering relevant services.

Why This Fund Matters

Young people from racially minoritised communities often face unequal outcomes within the criminal justice system. This fund supports organizations working to reduce these inequalities through specialist, culturally informed, and long-term services.

The programme helps to:

• Improve access to justice support.
• Promote rehabilitation and reintegration.
• Reduce barriers to essential services.
• Strengthen community-based organizations.
• Encourage equity and inclusion.
• Improve long-term outcomes for young men affected by the criminal justice system.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Confirm that your organization meets all eligibility requirements.
2. Ensure your services focus on racially minoritised young men aged 18–25 involved with the criminal justice system.
3. Demonstrate at least 18 months of relevant service delivery.
4. Prepare evidence of organizational impact, governance, and financial management.
5. Decide whether you wish to receive funding over three, four, or five years.
6. Gather audited or independently examined published accounts.
7. Complete and submit the application before the deadline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application errors:

• Applying without the required charitable or not-for-profit status.
• Failing to demonstrate at least 18 months of relevant experience.
• Submitting incomplete financial documentation.
• Not showing how services are person-centred and holistic.
• Providing insufficient evidence of lived experience involvement.
• Applying after being rejected from the same fund within the previous 12 months.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your chances of success:

• Clearly demonstrate your experience supporting the target group.
• Explain how your services are tailored to individual needs.
• Show measurable outcomes and community impact.
• Highlight the role of lived experience in your organization.
• Present strong governance and financial management practices.
• Explain how long-term funding will strengthen your services.
• Include evidence of sustainable programme delivery.

Key Definitions

Racially Minoritised

Communities that experience systemic racial disadvantage and unequal access to opportunities or services.

Person-Centred Support

An approach that places the individual’s needs, goals, preferences, and circumstances at the centre of service delivery.

Holistic Support

Comprehensive services that address multiple aspects of an individual’s wellbeing, including social, educational, emotional, health, and employment needs.

Criminal Justice System

The institutions and processes involved in law enforcement, courts, corrections, rehabilitation, and community justice.

Lived Experience

Knowledge and insights gained through direct personal experience of the issues being addressed, which inform programme design, decision-making, and governance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Equity in Justice Fund?

The Equity in Justice Fund provides long-term grants to UK charitable organizations supporting racially minoritised young men aged 18–25 who are involved with the criminal justice system.

How much funding is available?

The Foundation plans to award 13 grants of £200,000 each, with funding provided over three, four, or five years.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include UK registered charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), not-for-profit Community Interest Companies (CICs) with an asset lock, and other eligible charitable not-for-profit organizations.

What types of organizations are the fund looking for?

The Foundation is seeking organizations that provide specialist, person-centred, holistic, and long-term services and have at least 18 months of relevant experience working with racially minoritised young men involved in the criminal justice system.

What are the main eligibility requirements?

Applicants must be registered and operating in the UK, have at least one year of audited or independently examined published accounts, demonstrate at least 18 months of relevant service delivery, and not have been rejected from this fund within the previous 12 months.

What types of activities are supported?

The fund supports specialist services such as mentoring, rehabilitation, education, employment support, mental health services, advocacy, reintegration, and other programmes that improve long-term outcomes for the target group.

Why is this fund important?

The Equity in Justice Fund helps address inequalities within the criminal justice system by supporting organizations that provide culturally responsive, long-term, and person-centred services to racially minoritised young men, promoting equity, rehabilitation, and lasting positive change.

Conclusion

The Equity in Justice Fund offers significant long-term funding for UK organizations working to improve outcomes for racially minoritised young men involved in the criminal justice system. With grants of £200,000 over three to five years, the programme supports organizations delivering specialist, holistic, and person-centred services that promote rehabilitation, inclusion, and equitable access to support. Organizations with a strong track record, sound governance, and meaningful community impact are well positioned to submit a competitive application.