Deadline: 01-May-2026
The Outlook Fund provides grants to non-profit organisations supporting children and young people with experience of the care system. Funding focuses on improving wellbeing, skills, participation, and opportunities, with grants ranging from £4,000 for single-year projects to £12,000 for multi-year initiatives.
Programme Overview
The Outlook Fund supports projects designed to create meaningful opportunities and positive outcomes for children and young people who have experience of the care system. The fund prioritizes initiatives that remove barriers, enhance participation, and promote personal development.
Key Priorities
Projects supported by the Outlook Fund typically aim to achieve:
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Increased participation of new looked after children in activities.
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Improved confidence, emotional wellbeing, and resilience.
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Access to new opportunities, experiences, and learning.
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Development of new skills, qualifications, or competencies.
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Promotion of healthier lifestyles and positive habits.
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Expansion of volunteering opportunities and civic engagement.
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Engagement in hobbies and interests, including sports, arts, and music.
Who is Eligible?
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Looked After Children (LAC): Children under the care of a local authority for more than 24 hours, either through a court-issued care order or voluntary accommodation.
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Living Arrangements: This includes children in foster care, residential schools or homes, secure units, with family members, or unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
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Organisations: Non-profit entities working directly with looked after children and committed to creating opportunities that improve wellbeing, skills, and engagement.
Funding Details
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Single-Year Projects: Up to £4,000.
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Multi-Year Projects: Up to £12,000 over three years, with annual instalments.
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Annual Allocation: Approximately £28,000 distributed across two funding rounds.
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Disbursement: Grants are provided based on satisfactory progress reports.
Scope and Focus
While the fund occasionally supports preventative initiatives for children at risk of entering care, its primary focus is on children and young people already in the care system. Projects should aim to deliver measurable improvements in participation, personal development, and access to opportunities.
Application Tips
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Clearly outline how the project supports the development and wellbeing of looked after children.
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Demonstrate expected outcomes such as skill-building, confidence improvement, or increased participation.
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Ensure projects are realistic, sustainable, and tailored to the needs of the target group.
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Include a plan for progress tracking and reporting to secure continued funding.
FAQ – Outlook Fund
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Who qualifies as a looked after child? Any child in care for more than 24 hours under local authority care orders, voluntary agreements, or as unaccompanied asylum seekers.
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Can organisations outside the UK apply? No, the fund supports non-profit organisations working directly with looked after children in the UK.
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What is the maximum grant? £4,000 for single-year projects and £12,000 for projects up to three years.
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How often are grants distributed? Twice a year, across two funding rounds.
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Are multi-year projects supported? Yes, with funding provided in annual instalments based on progress reports.
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What types of activities are encouraged? Activities that enhance wellbeing, confidence, skills, participation, volunteering, hobbies, sports, arts, and creative learning.
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Can the fund support preventative initiatives? Occasionally, but the main priority is children already in the care system.
Conclusion
The Outlook Fund provides crucial support to non-profit organisations enabling looked after children and young people to thrive. By funding projects that enhance skills, wellbeing, and opportunities, the fund contributes to more inclusive, supportive, and enriching experiences for children in care.
For more information, visit Cambridgeshire Community Foundation.