The Persimmon Charitable Foundation has opened applications for the first round of its 2026 funding programme, offering three £50,000 donations to charities supporting young people into education, training and employment.
The Foundation has increased its total funding pot to £300,000 this year, with registered UK charities invited to apply for grants aimed at improving employability for young people aged 14 to 25 — particularly those living in areas affected by economic and social deprivation.
The open application programme, which launched in 2025, was created to widen access to Foundation funding.
In its first year, 1,210 applications were received and four £50,000 grants were awarded to organisations helping young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), or who are at risk of becoming NEET.
Among the recent beneficiaries is Bristol City Robins Charitable Foundation, which is piloting two targeted programmes with Foundation support. These initiatives provide mentoring, life skills training and wellbeing support for 14 to 16 year olds and 18 to 25 year olds.
Anthony Vigor, Chair of the Foundation, said: “We were amazed by the response to our open application programme, with 1,210 applications for funding received last year.
We want to support more charities working to change outcomes for young people and support them in their education, or into training or work, which is why we’ve increased our funding pot to £300,000 this year.”
The first funding round opens on Monday, 02 March, with applications closing at 11.59pm on Sunday, 15 March.
Successful organisations will be notified in May. Registered charities — including those that were unsuccessful in previous rounds — are eligible to apply via the Foundation section of the Persimmon Homes corporate website.
Established in 2015, the Persimmon Charitable Foundation supports communities where Persimmon Homes operates, focusing on projects that address deprivation and disadvantage, particularly among young people.
Since 2021, the Foundation has donated more than £3 million to charitable causes. This year, two funding rounds will distribute six £50,000 grants, totalling £300,000.
