Deadline: 22-May-2026
The Charles Hayward Foundation provides grants of £15,000–£25,000 per year to UK-registered charities delivering early intervention and rehabilitation projects that prevent criminal justice involvement or support reintegration. Funding targets vulnerable families, at-risk youth, and programmes offering alternatives to custody, with a focus on tailored, multi-faceted, and sustainable interventions. Grants run for one to three years and require strong monitoring, evaluation, and exit strategies.
The Social and Criminal Justice Grant supports UK-based charities working to prevent individuals from entering the criminal justice system and to assist those already in contact with it to rebuild their lives.
The Foundation prioritises programmes that address complex, multi-layered needs through tailored, community-focused, and evidence-based interventions.
Programme Objectives
The grant aims to:
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Prevent offending and criminal justice involvement through early intervention
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Support vulnerable families and at-risk youth, including girls and young women
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Assist rehabilitation and reintegration for people leaving custody
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Maintain and strengthen family relationships and support networks
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Provide alternatives to custody, particularly for women and young people
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Ensure sustainability through monitoring, evaluation, and exit planning
Funding Focus Areas
Eligible projects must fall within one of the following categories:
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Early Intervention for Vulnerable Families
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Targeted support for the most troubled and vulnerable families in a community
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Multi-faceted interventions tailored to family needs
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Prevention and Diversion for At-Risk Youth
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Projects aimed at young people at risk of offending
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Programmes addressing the specific needs of girls and young women
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Interventions combining education, mentoring, or diversionary activities
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Rehabilitation and Reintegration
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Programmes combining prison-based and community interventions
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Support for accommodation, mentoring, employment pathways, and family relationships
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Structured rehabilitation initiatives to reduce reoffending
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Alternatives to Custody
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Viable schemes providing alternatives to incarceration for women and young people
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Community-based solutions promoting positive behavioural change
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Exclusions
The Foundation does not fund:
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Policy or research projects
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Short-term interventions
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Trips, youth volunteering, or uniformed organisation activities
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Generic youth programmes
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Capital projects
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Immigration or legal advice
Grant Details
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Duration: One to three years
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Annual grant range: £15,000–£25,000 per year
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Funding decisions consider project sustainability, impact, and alignment with focus areas
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include:
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UK-registered charities
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Annual income between £350,000 and £4,000,000
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Organisations without large endowments, substantial government contracts, or significant reserves
Priority
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Charities with proven experience delivering community-focused social and criminal justice programmes
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Organisations capable of monitoring, evaluating, and sustaining projects over the grant period
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
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Ensure your charity meets the income and registration criteria
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Confirm experience delivering interventions aligned with programme objectives
Step 2: Design the Project
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Identify target beneficiaries (families, youth, women in custody)
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Develop multi-faceted interventions tailored to local needs
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Establish clear rationale, duration, intensity, and measurable outcomes
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Include exit strategy and sustainability plan
Step 3: Prepare Application
Include:
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Project description and objectives
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Implementation plan and timeline
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Budget breakdown and justification
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Monitoring and evaluation framework
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Governance structure and sustainability plan
Step 4: Submit Application
Applications are assessed on:
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Alignment with funding priorities
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Evidence of targeted and tailored interventions
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Potential impact and sustainability
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Robust governance, monitoring, and exit strategies
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Submitting projects outside the defined social and criminal justice focus areas
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Failing to demonstrate multi-faceted, tailored interventions
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Omitting monitoring, evaluation, or sustainability plans
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Requesting funding for excluded activities (research, trips, legal advice, capital projects)
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Applying as a large, well-endowed charity with substantial government contracts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is eligible to apply?
UK-registered charities with annual income between £350,000 and £4,000,000, without large endowments or substantial government contracts.
2. What is the grant range?
£15,000–£25,000 per year for one to three years.
3. What types of projects are supported?
Early intervention for families, prevention/diversion for at-risk youth, rehabilitation and reintegration, and alternatives to custody.
4. Are trips, youth volunteering, or research funded?
No. These activities are excluded.
5. Is a sustainability plan required?
Yes. Projects must include an exit strategy and plans for ongoing impact after the grant period.
6. Can projects focus on adult offenders only?
Yes, provided they align with rehabilitation, reintegration, or alternatives to custody objectives.
7. Are organisations with large reserves eligible?
No. The trustees are unlikely to fund large charities with endowments, substantial government contracts, or major reserves.
Conclusion
The Charles Hayward Foundation Social and Criminal Justice Grants 2026 support UK charities delivering targeted, sustainable interventions to prevent offending and assist individuals and families in contact with the criminal justice system.
Through tailored programmes addressing complex needs, funded projects aim to reduce reoffending, strengthen communities, and create lasting positive impact for the most vulnerable populations.
For more information, visit Charles Hayward Foundation.