The Lewin Trust provides multi-year grant funding to small and medium-sized UK charities working to give children aged 0–5, and their parents and carers, the best possible start in life.
The Trust is focused on creating real, lasting change — funding projects that tackle poverty and inequality, break cycles of dependence, and deliver tangible impact for the youngest and most vulnerable children in the UK and overseas.
The next application deadline is Thursday 2 July 2026, with decisions expected in October 2026.
About The Lewin Trust
The Lewin Trust is a UK-registered independent charitable foundation (Charity No. 1197855), based in Cambridge. Its mission is to make a tangible difference to poverty and inequality through early intervention, and to break cycles of dependence by supporting children in their earliest years.
Unlike many funders with broad social remits, The Lewin Trust has a very specific focus: children aged 0–5 and the parents or carers who support them. This clarity of mission means the Trust is able to build genuine, meaningful relationships with the organisations it funds, offering flexible, multi-year support rather than short-term project grants.
How Much Funding Is Available
Organisations can apply for between £10,000 and £50,000 per year, for up to three years — meaning a maximum of £150,000 over the full grant period.
The Trust funds both new and existing work, including staffing and core running costs. For smaller charities, this may comprise the entire operation. Funding can cover:
- Staff salaries and related costs
- Day-to-day operational running costs
- Project delivery expenses
Crucially, the Trust will fund up to 50% of total project costs — so applicants will need to demonstrate that other funding has already been secured, or that there is a clear plan in place to raise the remainder.
What The Lewin Trust Supports
The Trust funds projects that are working to:
- Make a tangible difference to poverty and inequality
- Break cycles of dependence on relief
- Help children aged 0–5, and where appropriate their parents and carers, to have the best start in life
The Trust is particularly interested in projects that demonstrate clear, measurable impact — not just activity. Organisations must show what difference their work makes and how they measure it.
Projects must not involve the purchase of property or major building works.
Who Is Eligible
To apply, organisations must:
- Be registered as a charity in the UK
- Be small to medium-sized, with an annual income of £5 million or less
- Have clear management and governance structures in place, with at least three trustees
- Work either in the UK or overseas
In some circumstances, CICs with an asset lock may also be considered. The Trust does not fund individuals, capital projects, or organisations primarily focused on religious promotion or sports.
How to Apply
The Lewin Trust operates a two-stage application process.
Stage One: Expression of Interest
The first step is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) using the online form on the Trust’s website. The EOI deadline for the current round is Thursday 25 June 2026 — at least seven days before the formal application deadline.
Stage Two: Formal Application
If the Trust wishes to take your EOI forward, they will send you a full Application Form to complete and submit by email. Your application should include:
- Details about your organisation — charity registration, purpose, and alignment with the Trust’s vision
- Details about your project — what the funding will be used for, your experience in the area, the outcomes you hope to achieve, and how you will measure impact
- Financial information — a full budget breakdown, evidence of other funding secured or planned, and information about longer-term sustainability
- Supporting documents — including your most recent accounts and a safeguarding policy updated within the last 12 months
- Contact details for two referees willing to vouch for the project or organisation
Funding Timeline
The current round has the following key dates:
- Expression of Interest deadline: Thursday 25 June 2026
- Full application deadline: Thursday 2 July 2026
- Decisions expected: October 2026
The Trust holds Trustees meetings three times a year. Future rounds will have application deadlines of 5 November 2026 (decisions January 2027) and 25 February 2027 (decisions May 2027).
Please note that the Trust receives more applications per round than it is able to fund, and not all eligible applications will be successful.
