GrantRadar

Shackleton Foundation

Shackleton Leadership Award

Seed funding of up to £15,000 (a grant for registered charities, CICs limited by guarantee, CIOs and unincorporated associations; an interest-free loan with no fixed term for companies, CICs limited by shares and other structures) for social entrepreneurs starting a brand-new venture that solely benefits disadvantaged children and young people aged 0-25 in the UK. Only organisations no more than 12 months old (or individuals setting one up) can apply; new projects from existing organisations are not eligible. The Foundation backs the leader as much as the idea: awards come with a Leader Partner, quarterly advice surgeries, an annual Leaders Forum and introductions to second-stage funders.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £15,000
Closes in
15 days left
2 November
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Individuals setting up a new organisation, or organisations no more than 12 months old from date of registration, whose project solely benefits disadvantaged children and young people (0-25) in the UK
  • Registered charities (limited by guarantee), CICs limited by guarantee, CIOs and unincorporated associations receive a grant; CICs limited by shares, companies limited by guarantee or shares and other structures receive an interest-free loan repayable once the organisation becomes profitable, before distributing to shareholders
  • Private companies must show an asset lock or a clear mission statement supporting the Foundation's charitable aims
  • The request (up to £15,000) must be at least 25% of total annual project cost
  • Trustees look for leadership qualities including purpose, endurance, lived experience, adaptability and courage
  • Shortlisted applicants must have an up-to-date safeguarding policy

What it funds

  • Seed funding to get a new social venture started ('the first mile') that solely benefits disadvantaged children and young people (0-25) in the UK
  • Trustees look for projects that are innovative and fresh, fulfil a clear need and demand, have real social impact with well-defined outputs and goals, and have potential for growth and sustainability
  • Disadvantage includes (not limited to) low income, Free School Meals/Pupil Premium eligibility, NEET, housing insecurity, care experience or young carers, SEND, mental health challenges, living in a high-deprivation area, or discrimination
  • Funded leaders work in sectors including education, life skills and employability, physical and mental health, youth offending, and community and social welfare
  • The award also includes a Leader Partner, advice surgeries, the annual Leaders Forum, awareness building and introductions to second-stage funders

What it will not fund

  • New projects from existing organisations
  • Organisations more than 12 months old (from date of registration)
  • Projects where not all (100%) beneficiaries are disadvantaged children and young people aged 0-25 in the UK
  • Requests that are less than 25% of the total annual project cost
  • Projects for which substantial government funding is available (as a rule)
  • Private companies without an asset lock or a clear mission statement supporting the Foundation's charitable aims

How to apply

  1. Read the Grant Making Guidelines and the Application Form Preview PDF
  2. Complete the online Eligibility Quiz
  3. Complete and submit the online Leadership Award application form (can be saved and returned to) by 5pm on 2 November 2026
  4. Receive a confirmation email; applications are screened for eligibility, then independently reviewed by Trustees
  5. All applicants are notified of a decision; a very small percentage are shortlisted to present to the Trustees by Zoom/Teams (quarterly meetings)
  6. If successful, agree a Shackleton Leaders' Agreement and take part in the Leaders Forum, Leader Partner programme and advice surgeries

The Foundation may close applications before the deadline if it reaches the maximum number it can fairly review.

A separate Cumbria-only round (funded by the Francis Scott Trust, also closing 2 November 2026) has its own guidance and form.

Have ready

  • Project budget breakdown (expense items, total cost and amount requested from Shackleton, entered in the form)
  • Two referees who have known you for at least a year and are not involved in the project or related to you
  • Evidence of an asset lock or a mission statement (companies limited by guarantee or by shares only)
  • Safeguarding policy relevant to the project's beneficiaries

The safeguarding policy is requested at the point of shortlisting.

More like this

Other grants open to organisations like yours.