Time is running out for local organisations in Warwickshire, Coventry, Birmingham and Solihull, to apply for a grant of up to £100k to fund capital projects to help young people under the age of 25.  

The Warwickshire and West Midlands-based Norton Foundation is seeking proposals as part of a drive to improve the personal development of young people through creating opportunities within the region.

Bids must be primarily focused on training, education, personal development or rehabilitation. 

The announcement comes at a time where there is a lack of provision for young people due to cuts in services by statutory bodies and reduction in grants to voluntary organisations.

Alan Bailey, Chairman of the Foundation, said: "There isn't much time left to apply for this as the deadline is February 28th. 

"It is the eighth such capital grant we have made in the last 25 years, and we have high hopes that the 2025-2026 grant of up to £100,000 will achieve the same high level of permanent provision for young people as the previous seven."

In the past thirty years, the Foundation has given over £4 million in grants to help the region's youth. 

Previous grants have included funding a youth centre in Sydenham as part of Leamington's SYDNI community centre.

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In 2005 the grant went to a substantial residential unit at Coventry Scout Council's Rough Close campsite and activity centre and in 2010 a grant of the maximum £100,00 was made for the purchase by the charity free@last of a building to house a youth centre in Nechell's Birmingham.

Also in the that year the District Council for the building of the Depot youth centre at Alcester received £100,000.

In 2015 two grants were made - £250,000 to Birmingham and Solihull Women's Adis to refurbish a refuge and £125,000 t Leamington and District Scouts to build a lodge at the Hatton campsite.

There are no application forms. Submissions, limited to one side of A4 paper, should include: an overview of the organisation, details of the proposed project and its benefits, an estimated total cost and how the name of The Norton Foundation will be recognised. 

Bids must be received before 28 February 2026, preferably by email to – [email protected] or by post to The Correspondent, The Norton Foundation, Carleton House, 266-268 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 3AD. 

From these bids a shortlist will be selected and invited to submit detailed proposals and out of these a selection will be made of organisations to present in person to the Norton Foundation Trustees.

Further details are available at the Norton Foundation website.