Allen Lane Foundation

The Allen Lane Foundation is a grant-making trust which was set up in 1966 by the late Sir Allen Lane, founder of Penguin Books, to support general charitable causes. The Foundation has no connection with the publishing company, but five of the Trustees are members of the founder's family.

The Foundation makes grants to voluntary not-for-profit organisations in the UK for work which benefits groups of people who are under-represented in UK society.

Overall, the Foundation wishes to fund work which:

• Will make a lasting difference to people's lives rather than simply alleviating the symptoms or current problems.
• Is aimed at reducing isolation, stigma and discrimination.
• Encourages or enables unpopular groups to share in the life of the whole community.

The Foundation typically makes around 130 to 150 grants in a year with a total value of between £720,000 and £800,000.

The maximum grant is £15,000. This can be a single grant, or over two to three years.

The average grant is £5,000 to £6,000

Small registered charities, voluntary groups and charitable organisations in the UK can apply.

Registered charities are eligible to apply as well as other organisations which are not charities, but which seek funding for a charitable project. This could include, for example, constituted voluntary groups or Community Interest Companies (CICs).

To make sure its grants have an impact, the Foundation will not fund larger organisations. If an organisation works in a relatively local area - a village, or estate or small town - to be eligible it will have an income of less than about £100,000. At the other end of the spectrum, an organisation which works across the whole of the UK will be eligible if it has an income of not more than about £250,000.

Organisations whose work solely benefits people within Greater London cannot apply. However, if their work benefits people across a much wider area, then they may be considered.

The Foundation aims to help organisations to become sustainable. The funding will support running and core costs to enable them to have flexibility, security and longevity.

The focus is on funding specific groups within the UK that experience marginalisation and/or discrimination.

The following focus on adults only:

• Asylum seekers and refugees – support work to benefit refugees, asylum seekers, and refused asylum seekers, including those held in detention. The focus has been changed to women only. The focus is on those women who are seeking asylum in the UK, and female refugees who have been through the asylum system; rather than people who arrive in the UK through community sponsorship or via resettlement schemes.
• Offenders and ex-offenders – support for penal reform and fund groups working with offenders in prison and out in the community. The focus now is solely on organisations supporting female offenders, and those in prison for violence against women.
• Older People – funding is focused on projects that benefit isolated elderly people (generally aged 70+) including those with dementia. There will now be a greater focus on specific areas of work for the elderly especially for those in rural and more deprived areas.
• People affected by violence or abuse – work that supports both men and women who are, or have in the past been, affected by violence or abuse. This includes projects supporting people affected by rape and sexual abuse, domestic abuse, stalking, trafficking, prostitution and modern slavery, honour-based abuse, female genital mutilation, and forced marriage. The funding can also support work with perpetrators aiming to lessen isolation and prevent the risk of further abuse.
• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities – support groups within these communities and organisations that work to benefit them. Funding can support work that raises awareness of the issues Gypsy and Traveller communities face, and work to combat hate crime, stigma, discrimination and inequalities, including the lack of appropriate accommodation or other service provision.
• People with mental health issues – support for mental health charities and projects that benefit people with moderate or severe mental health issues.

In addition, there is funding for work with:

• Young people – aged 12-21 who are vulnerable, socially excluded or marginalised, with a focus on those who are persistently absent from school; school leavers with no qualifications; and young people in/leaving care.

How To Apply

All applications received until early December 2025 will be considered in the lead-up to the following Trustee meeting in February 2026.