1001 CRITICAL DAYS:
CHARITY GRANTS

We partner with charities who share our passion for improving outcomes for babies during their first 1001 critical days.

CHARITY GRANT FUNDING

We provide multi-year grants to charities demonstrating measurable impact on improving outcomes for babies, and those that deliver integrated services through family hubs and other ‘one-stop shop’ models across the UK.

While our long-term aim is to expand our support for 1001 days charities internationally, we currently support UK-based charities whose work takes place in the UK.

DELIVERING THE BEST OUTCOMES FOR BABIES 

We always prioritise projects and initiatives that deliver the greatest impact for babies. There are many services and causes available to children and parents, but we are focused on improving outcomes for as many babies as possible by supporting parents and caregivers, from pregnancy and throughout the whole perinatal period, to give every baby the best start in life.

OUR FUNDING FOCUS

We award grants to UK registered charities delivering work which supports babies during the 1001 critical days – from pregnancy to the age of two.

We currently support UK-based charities. In time, we will expand this to fund charities supporting babies around the world.

We hope to fund a variety of projects, reflecting the diverse ways in which babies and families might need additional support. This could include, but is by no means limited to:

  • Support during pregnancy such as antenatal education programmes

  • Infant feeding support

  • Parenting programmes

  • Parent-infant relationship support

  • Perinatal mental health support

You can apply for up to £100,000 per year for up to five years.  

Check out our guidelines for more information on what we are hoping to fund and our application process.

APPLY FOR GRANTS

We are now inviting applications for our first round of grants. We will give a total of £1million this round. You may apply for any amount up to £100,000 per year, for a funding period of up to five years.

As this is our inaugural funding round, we have not set a fixed number of charities to support. Instead, we will assess each application on its individual merits and are open to funding both smaller and larger requests.

If your charity can demonstrate measurable improvements in the lives of babies during their first 1001 days, we encourage you to apply.

We are currently accepting applications for our first ever funding round.

You can apply by completing our online application form below. To see if your organisation is eligible, read our full guidelines.

 The deadline is midnight on Sunday 27th of July.

A second funding round will open later in 2025. Watch this space for more information.

“ ”

  • “Over the past two decades, the importance of the 1001 Critical Days has been widely acknowledged. However, there is still a ‘baby blindspot’ in many children’s services and there is an urgent need for more research that demonstrates ‘what works’ in a cost-effective way. The 1001 Critical Days Foundation will provide funding for services and research that will shine a spotlight on ways in which to improve outcomes for all babies.”

    — Professor Jane Barlow, University of Oxford

  • “The Family Hubs and Start for Life programme has made a real and lasting difference to babies and their families here in Hull. It’s enabled us to create a welcoming space for every parent and baby, while also providing tailored support to those who need a little extra help. The programme really is helping us to support parents to give their babies the best start for life.”

    — Hull Family Hubs

INFORMATION & RESOURCES

WHY PARTNER WITH US?

Our team has a combined total of over 100 years of experience working in public policy, early development and at the highest levels of government and finance.

By building on our collective expertise, and through working collaboratively, we can bring about transformative change in the way support is delivered in the 1001 critical days across the UK and around the world.

We have a deep understanding of the unique needs of babies, and how to support parents and carers to give their baby the best start in life. That’s why we are the UK’s only grant-giving charity that is dedicated exclusively to babies from pregnancy to age two.

By partnering with us, we can bring about truly meaningful change in the way frontline services are delivered and help give more support to parents and carers to give their baby the best start in life.