A new £5 million fund, with a short decision period, has been launched to support youth groups through the cost of living crisis.

Organisations with an annual income of up to £500,000 who are facing unprecedented demand or whose work is being hindered due to rising core costs can apply for three-year, unrestricted grants of approximately 10% of their current turnover.

The funding is being offered through the UK Youth Fund, established by UK Youth in partnership with the Pears Foundation, to ensure that as many youth services as possible are able to continue to support young people in their local community.

Applicants can request funding up to the value of 10% of their organisation’s annual turnover. In exceptional circumstances they may distribute grants of a slightly higher level, but this is unlikely. The aim of the fund is to help the stability of your organisation over the immediate 3-year period. It is not a crisis fund.

To be eligible, the applicant organisation must have a primary goal of providing services for young people. At least 70% of the organisation’s beneficiaries must be between the ages of 8 and 25.

Applications can be made at any time until all funding has been allocated. They will be assessed as they arrive.

Based on the current funding pot, the fund is expected to be open for at least 3 months. Notification will be given on the UK Youth website two weeks prior to closing the application form.

Organisations will hear the outcome of their application within 4-6 weeks.

Email support is available for questions about the fund at funding@ukyouth.org and there are regular online Q&A sessions running to the end of May. See the dates and times and register here.

For full details, visit the UK Youth website.