Multi-Year Grants Support Leeds and Bradford Communities

Funding partnership aids vulnerable young people and local organisations

Nearly 2,500 individuals have benefited from the first round of grants awarded through the Bartlett Group Fund, a partnership between Leeds Community Foundation and the Bartlett Foundation. The fund aims to support organisations addressing challenges faced by young people in vulnerable circumstances across Leeds and Bradford.

About the Bartlett Group Fund

The Bartlett Group Fund provides flexible, multi-year funding to community organisations, allowing them to allocate resources where they are most needed. This can include specific projects, organisational capacity building, or covering core operational costs.

In 2022, six organisations received grants totalling £170,000. A further six multi-year grants were awarded in 2025, increasing the total investment to £350,000.

Impact on Communities

The funded organisations work closely with people experiencing poverty and significant life challenges, including barriers to education, employment, health, and food security.

• The Muslim Women’s Council used their grant to continue running a large-scale weekly soup kitchen called The Curry Circle. Over three years, the initiative provided tens of thousands of meals and free period products, responding to increased community needs amid the rising cost of living.
• An attendee of The Curry Circle commented on the support received: “The Curry Circle has supported me weekly by providing hot meals and valuable advice on other services available. The meals helped a lot with getting by when I was struggling with putting food on the table. I have now started receiving the relevant benefits and everything is sorted financially.”

Impact on Organisations

The flexibility of the grants has also contributed to strengthening the organisations themselves. All six recipients reported an increase in organisational capacity each year. Some invested in staff development and organisational growth, which improved staff wellbeing and enhanced programming for young people.

Step 2, one of the grant recipients, stated: “In terms of sustainability, the grant has helped us grow our skills, develop new approaches, and gather evidence of impact. This puts us in a stronger position to secure future funding and continue offering creative, flexible support for families.”

Collectively, the organisations have secured more than £624,000 in additional funding following their initial grants.

Future Plans

The partnership between Leeds Community Foundation and the Bartlett Foundation will continue to provide flexible, long-term funding to support communities in Leeds and Bradford. Further collaboration opportunities are available for organisations interested in developing similar funds.

For more information, contact Leeds Community Foundation at info@leedscf.org.uk.

Source: Leeds Community Foundation