Small and larger grants are available for charities and community groups in areas where John Lewis and Partners have a presence. The Foundation’s grant-making priorities are creating sustainable employment opportunities, education, skills, learning, supporting vulnerable young people, environment and care-experienced young people.
A map showing the location of John Lewis & Partners is available on the John Lewis website.
The Foundation offers the following 4 grant programmes.
Employability Fund
The Employability Fund (previously called the John Lewis Foundation) was established to support projects that invest in vulnerable young people. It’s there to help those living in disadvantaged communities to access the education and skills required to achieve sustainable employment in the UK and abroad. Projects seeking funding must demonstrate that they aim to increase the employability of disadvantaged individuals or provide access to skills or education which has the potential to enable access to sustainable employment in the future and in so doing improve the wellbeing and local environment of communities in need, in the UK and overseas, that support the John Lewis & Partners business. They must demonstrate that they address at least one of the following areas:
- Education, training and skills transfer, and/or
- Enabling sustainable employment
Golden Jubilee Trust
The Golden Jubilee Trust funds the donation of time and skills, rather than money. It gives John Lewis’ Partners the chance to be seconded to their chosen UK registered charity for up to 6 months, either full or part time.
Partners can get involved in any project they choose – from food banks to animal rescue centres – provided it has a clearly defined purpose and gives ongoing benefit.
Nature Fund
The Nature Fund (previously called the John Spedan Lewis Foundation) supports the understanding, protection and restoration of the natural world. With the help of grants, awards and bursaries, the Foundation aims to continue this work while also improving participation opportunities for under-represented groups, both in terms of candidates and project beneficiaries.
Building Happier Futures
The Foundation believes that every child and young person should have a fair start in life. Building Happier Futures is how it funds UK projects for care-experienced people and makes a difference to vulnerable children and young people who don’t have the safety net of family support.
The Foundation wants to use its position as an employer and retailer to improve lives and harness the talents of individuals who have grown up in care – whether this is through direct support and financial aid or providing employment opportunities and training for young people when they leave care. By focusing on their education and skills, the Foundation aims to equip them for long-term success, so they feel empowered to fulfil their potential.
Further information about the Foundation’s grant-making can be found under the ‘Foundation’ tab on its website.