Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation are working with the Efficiency East Midlands Foundation. Launching a £100,000 funding programme aimed at supporting people into employment. The fund will prioritise initiatives targeting young people, but also welcome proposals supporting women, those from the global majority, individuals who have experienced homelessness and those who have experience of the criminal justice system.
Representatives from Efficiency East Midlands said “We are proud to launch this community fund in partnership with Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation – it’s part of our ongoing commitment to social value. Through the fund, we’re looking forward to supporting local projects that help people develop life skills, access new opportunities, and move into employment. We’re excited to see how these donations will make a difference and to hear the stories of the people they’ve supported.”
Community and voluntary sector organisations across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire are now invited to apply for grants to deliver impactful, locally driven projects. The funding will prioritise initiatives that:
- Support Social Mobility
Projects that help people facing poverty or disadvantage to progress in education, employment or enterprise – for example through training or mentoring. - Build Life Skills
Activities that develop essential life competencies such as confidence, resilience, communication, financial literacy, digital skills and problem-solving. - Enable Employment Pathways
Programmes that provide pre-employment training, volunteering-to-work opportunities, apprenticeships, CV and interview support, or tailored help with job applications.
Grants of up to £5,000 are available for eligible projects, with funding aimed at creating real, measurable impact for young people facing barriers to employment.
“This fund is all about helping people, especially young people, to take the next step towards a better future,” said Debs McCahon, Grants Manager at the Community Foundation. “In these difficult times, it is really exciting to be able to support additional investment in support. The Foundation wants to support organisations already doing vital work in their communities to make a real difference, to be better placed to meet demand and help individuals on their journey to independence.”
Applications close at 9am on Monday 13th October 2025. Projects must be delivered between 1st January and 31st December 2026.
To apply or find out more, visit HERE or contact grants@llrcommunityfoundation.org.uk.
