Hilltop Circle is a youth-led charity based in Brent, North West London. Since its founding in 2005, the organisation has supported children, young people, and families facing social and economic disadvantage. Their work spans youth mentoring, employability training, community safety initiatives and family support programmes, delivered in collaboration with local schools, charities, statutory services, and local authorities including the Metropolitan Police. Their mission is to empower the next generation by supporting those most at risk of exclusion, disadvantage, or involvement in crime. They build confidence, life skills, and aspirations through mentoring, personal development, and community-based projects.
Before working with Fundin, Hilltop Circle faced challenges that are common across grassroots organisations. The team struggled with the time-consuming nature of identifying suitable grants, navigating complex application processes, and aligning their impact data with funder expectations. Without the internal capacity and technical know-how, it was difficult to submit high-quality, competitive bids at scale. These challenges directly affected their growth and reach, limited funding meant they had to turn away young people in need and they missed opportunities due to lack of time or unclear guidance.
Hilltop Circle first connected with Fundin through a direct outreach from Tom. They were drawn to the platform’s tailored support for small organisations and the ease of tracking and submitting funding opportunities. Since then, they’ve received a range of support from Fundin, including bid writing and application development, identification of relevant grants, and guidance on presenting their work clearly and impactfully. The team credits Fundin with helping them secure successful awards from BBC Children in Need and Sport England.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the two grants we’ve secured so far, but we know we’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible. Fundin has helped us build structure, take ownership of our bids, and feel more confident navigating the process. There’s still room for us to grow, and we’re optimistic about what we can achieve together.”
— Mahad Omar, Secretary, Hilltop Circle
Working with Fundin has resulted in a number of additional, meaningful outcomes. The team has saved time through a more streamlined application process and improved their confidence in independently drafting and managing bids. The ability to track submissions and access support tools in one place has created a stronger foundation for future success.
The funding secured so far has directly enabled Hilltop Circle to deliver targeted youth mentoring sessions, employability workshops, and support programmes for those at risk of exclusion or exploitation. As a result, the organisation has seen increased engagement from young people, improved attendance, and positive feedback from schools and community partners. Internally, their approach to funding is now more structured and strategic, allowing them to focus more on delivery and impact, rather than administrative burden.
Looking ahead, Hilltop Circle aims to expand its mentoring and employability programmes across more schools and neighbourhoods in Brent, while strengthening its internal infrastructure and community engagement efforts. They see Fundin playing a key role in helping them secure more diverse and strategic funding to sustain long-term impact.
At Hilltop Circle, the mission remains focused on tackling systemic inequality and supporting marginalised communities across Brent. The team is proud of the impact they’ve had through youth mentoring, employability training, and community cohesion work, but they also recognise the growing demand. Their experience with Fundin has highlighted the need for inclusive, accessible funding tools that meet the realities of grassroots delivery. As they continue this journey, Hilltop Circle welcomes opportunities to contribute to a more equitable and collaborative funding ecosystem, and to access life-changing opportunities.
