Big Change Charitable Trust backs early-stage changemakers in England who have pilot-ready ideas to improve outcomes for young people, with a strong emphasis on rethinking education and the systems around it. Their support is especially geared toward bold, youth-led or leader-driven innovations that can create lasting systems change, and they often fund organizations before they are widely established. The trust also values community, collaboration, and participatory approaches, and is moving toward more collective models of grantmaking.
Mostly invite-only or strategically targeted funding, with open-call opportunities appearing only occasionally. Grants are typically flexible and early-stage, ranging from small rapid-response awards to larger pilot grants up to £40,000, and some support is delivered through prizes, finalist funding, or community-based microgrants.
Do not assume there is a standing open application process; most opportunities are invite-only or run as time-limited rounds. Monitor the site for rare open calls like the Spark Awards, which are biennial and aimed at England-based leaders aged 18–25 with pilot-ready ideas. If you are not already in their network, build visibility through proof of concept, systems-change framing, and connections to young people and education reform.
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Current and upcoming funding from Big Change Charitable Trust that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Leaders with early-stage ideas and high potential to create long-term system change for young people; Big Change looks for work that shifts systems, centers young people, and has the potential for meaningful progress.
Deadline: Next round opens in 2027.
Who can apply: Not yet published; intended to centre community and lived experience in funding decisions.
Deadline: Not yet announced; updates to be shared as the model takes shape.
Who can apply: 18–25 year olds living in England with pilot-ready projects; centring young people and potential for system change (per Spark Awards description).
Deadline: Next Spark Awards stated to open in 2027; no specific opening/closing dates listed on site content provided.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.