About this Funding:
The Henry Smith Foundation has announced that its new Career Ready Fund will open for applications on 22 July 2026. The Foundation is an independent UK grant-making charity that supports people and communities at times of need.
The fund will provide grants of £200,000 over four years, usually £50,000 per year, for organisations supporting young people with learning disabilities to move towards paid employment. Funding can cover core costs, including salaries, rent, utilities and staff wellbeing.
Eligible applicants must be UK-based charitable organisations, including registered charities, CIOs, not-for-profit CICs with an asset lock, and other not-for-profit charitable organisations. Applicants must have an annual income of £3 million or less and at least one year of audited or independently examined accounts.
The programme will support work that:
• embeds job coaches in mainstream or SEND schools;
• provides vocational profiling and meaningful work experience;
• builds partnerships with schools, families and employers;
• strengthens routes into supported internships, employment and paid work.
The closing date for submitting an Expression of Interest is 5pm on 2 September 2026. Those applicants successful at this stage will be invited to submit a full application.
Useful Links:
Funding Criteria:
Eligible applicants must be UK-based charitable organisations, including registered charities, CIOs, not-for-profit CICs with an asset lock, and other not-for-profit charitable organisations. Applicants must have an annual income of £3 million or less and at least one year of audited or independently examined accounts.
