The John Lewis Partnership Foundation - Building Happier Futures Fund, is giving grants from £5,000 to £20,000 to UK-based charities, CICs, and social enterprises

This fund supports projects that:

- Focus on care-experienced individuals

- Promote education, connection, experience, and fun

- Enhance employability, advocacy, and social skills

Whether you're a small charity or a larger organisation, if your work makes a measurable impact and is self-sustainable, this could be a great opportunity to expand your reach and deepen your impact.

Who Can Apply:Registered Charities (UK-based, any size)

• Community Interest Companies (CICs) with:
  • A charitable purpose
  • Not-for-profit status
• Social Enterprises that:
  • Are not-for-profit
  • Have a charitable purpose
• Other organisations that can demonstrate:
  • Their project is a charitable activity
  • They are not-for-profit

The following are not eligible for funding:

• Profit making organisations.
• Religious organisations, where the donation is used to support a particular faith or belief. (Applications could be considered if the organisation is undertaking charitable or community work where receipt of support is not conditional upon religious affiliation.)
• Negatively discriminatory organisations in the allocation of their support according to race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, or disability.
• Political parties, or those acting with the express purpose of seeking changes to the law or political policy unless explicitly aligned with the strategy of the business.
• NHS or other public sector bodies for general running costs.
• Fee-paying care homes and other fee-paying residential centres.
• Any organisation that, by association, could have a detrimental effect on the John Lewis Partnership’s goodwill or reputation.
• Courses (eg, staff training), conferences, festivals, expeditions, overseas travel, fundraising events, receptions, lectures or respite breaks.
• Sponsorship for individuals or groups.

How to apply:

Applications are now open for the Building Happier Futures Fund. The deadline to apply is Thursday, 25 September 2025, at 5pm.

Please read this pack to understand if your organisation is eligible to apply to the John Lewis Partnership Foundation Building Happier Futures Fund, and to assist you in making a successful application. After reading the pack, complete this application form. 

View a PDF copy of the questions.

If you have any questions, please email trustandfoundations@johnlewis.co.uk.