- What will it fund? The main objective of the foundation is to assist and encourage development and change. Its main priority, accounting for 60 per cent of its expenditure, is "young people:their education, training, health and welfare". Also considered is specialist medical equipment and support for disabled people, the terminally ill and carers. Grants are for specific projects only, not core revenue, salary or transport funding.They will be mostly one-offs, but the foundation does make a limited number of recurring grants for up to three years. Among youth organisations to receive funding are Prospex, a community-based charity working to improve the lives of young people in King's Cross, London, by building strong, positive relationships of trust, and GAP Activity Projects, which provides an international volunteering experience for young people that "fosters independence, helps others and promotes global understanding".
- Who can apply? Registered charities in the UK. Applications from individuals or very large appeals will not be considered.
- How much is available? The foundation has assets of 26.8m and last year made 296 grants averaging 3,000 and totalling 969,847. Few grants are made over 5,000. Last year, the foundation received 1,592 applications, of which less than two-thirds fall within its criteria.
- Application procedure: The short one-page application form can be downloaded from www.hedleyfoundation.org.uk and should be sent to the appeals secretary along with latest accounts and any supporting materials. Trustees meet six times a year to consider applications. The next meeting is set for 26 July. Applications need to be received at least three weeks before meetings.
