The image shows a person holding a brochure or booklet with a cover that features a portrait of a person with long hair. The text on a pink background says HENRY SMITH FOUNDATION. Elevate your impact. Our strategy 2023-

Strategy Discover the Henry Smith Foundation’s 2025 – 2030 strategy

Elevate your impact

The image shows a person standing outdoors on a grassy area in front of a wire fence. They are holding a camera and wearing a black outfit. The background includes a sports field or similar area with goalposts and some trees.

The Henry Smith Foundation backs organisations and their leaders with bold ideas dedicated to making social change across the UK.

We invest in their work, strengthen their voice and help their impact grow. They’re building brighter futures for people and pushing for fairer systems.

In 2024 we awarded £61.9 million, supporting over 650 organisations and reaching over 410,000 people across the UK.

We’ve been doing this for nearly 400 years. And now, in the face of rising inequality, economic pressure and broken systems, we’re going further.

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Funding priorities

We fund organisations supporting people through three key life transitions:

Getting started – supporting families to give their young children a strong start

Building independence – helping young people move into adulthood with confidence, skills and hope

Safer futures – supporting people to rebuild their lives after abuse, displacement or prison.

These are moments when the right support can prevent harm and unlock opportunity – shaping whether someone feels safe, connected and able to move forward, or faces greater risk and fewer choices.

Within each funding priority, we run grant programmes with clear aims and criteria.

Our flexible funding supports both immediate needs and long-term change. This means we back organisations delivering frontline support and those working to improve the systems that shape people’s lives.

 

  • The image shows a family, including two adults and three children, standing on grass in front of a tree with blooming pink flowers. The children are wearing school uniforms, and the adults are dressed in traditional clothing. The scene appears to be a family portraitThe image shows a woman sitting and holding a book open, while looking at a young boy standing beside her. The boy is wearing a red sweater and appears to be engaging with the woman, who seems to be reading or discussing the book with him.The image shows a person reading a book or workbook related to language learning on a blue and white checkered tablecloth. There are several papers, including one titled English File 4th Edition Pre-Intermediate Grammar & Vocabulary Pack. The person is

    Getting started Supporting families to give their young children a strong start.

    We fund organisations that support families during pregnancy and the first five years of a child’s life. This includes helping parents feel confident and connected, and making sure children get the best possible start.

    Find out more
  • The image shows two people sitting together, possibly working or discussing something while looking at a laptop. They are in an indoor setting with shelves containing books and binders in the background. The person on the right has bright blue hair and glasses, and isThe image shows two people sitting and talking in what appears to be an office or meeting space. One person is wearing a hijab, and the other, who is smiling, has long dark hair and is wearing a black shirt. There is a laptopThe image shows a person with blue hair standing in front of a colorful graffiti-covered wall. The person is wearing glasses, and their outfit features sunflowers and floral patterns. The background is vibrant, with various colors and artistic designs.

    Building independence Helping young people move into adulthood with confidence, skills and hope.

    We fund work that helps young people build resilience, raise aspirations and feel equipped for the next stage of life. We also support work that joins up fragmented services and pushes for policies that reflect the real experiences of young people.

     

    Find out more
  • The image shows a person standing outdoors in a garden or park area. The person is wearing a light-colored jacket, a black head covering, and headphones around their neck. They are holding a book in one hand. The background features greenery, including treesThe image shows a person jogging outdoors. The individual is wearing a blue shirt and black shorts and appears to be on a wooden boardwalk or path with metal railings. There are trees and a modern building in the background.The image shows two people walking outdoors. The person on the left is wearing a brightly colored, patterned jacket and glasses, while the person on the right is wearing a light-colored shirt, a black head wrap, and headphones around their neck. They appear

    Safer futures Supporting people to rebuild their lives after abuse, displacement or prison.

    ​We fund work that supports people as they rebuild their lives following some of the most challenging experiences imaginable. This includes people leaving prison, people who have experienced domestic abuse, and those seeking refuge and safety after conflict or persecution.

    Find out more

Going further together

The image depicts a classroom or meeting setting with a group of people. A woman is standing near a flip chart with written notes and appears to be leading a discussion or giving a presentation. Several people are sitting around a table, engaged and smiling. The

We’re not just giving grants; we’re building long-term partnerships with the people driving change.

  • Flexible funding that adapts to what partners need
  • Simple processes that save time and remove barriers
  • Decisions shaped by people who know the issues first-hand
  • Support that strengthens organisations, not just their work
  • Sharing our learning to help others and influence lasting change

Because when support is flexible, organisations can adapt, respond and lead. They grow stronger, and their impact goes further.

 

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And that's not all...

Our strategy sets out the main focus of our funding. But it’s not everything we do.

We run the Opportunity Fund to support early-stage work and projects that strengthen the charity sector. We also continue to run several long-standing programmes, including Kindred, Holiday grants and support for Anglican clergy.

Opportunity Fund Kindred Holiday grants Clergy
The image shows a person wearing a gray jacket and a black headscarf. They have beaded hair and are wearing headphones around their neck, smiling and standing against a textured wall.

“Spark Inside helped me to understand who I really am, to find the power within to be my authentic self.”

Javel
Javel’s story

How Spark Inside unlocked my true power

How can we help?

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