Family of three smiling and hugging outdoors, holding a plush dog toy.

OUR FUNDING FOCUS

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

We prioritise projects and initiatives that deliver the greatest impact for babies, and we are focused on supporting work that measurably improves outcomes for babies.  

We only support work that takes place in family hubs and similar “one stop shop” settings. This is because these spaces are universally accessible and destigmatising, and having services under one roof improves the experience for babies and families. 

A man with dark hair and beard holding a baby on the beach during daytime, with ocean waves and cloudy sky in the background.

We hope to fund a variety of projects, reflecting the diverse ways in which babies and families might need additional support, from pregnancy and throughout the whole perinatal period.  

Projects could include: 

  • Infant feeding support  

  • Parenting programmes  

  • Parent-infant relationship support  

  • Perinatal mental health support  

  • Support for dads, carers and non-birthing partners 

  • Support for communities experiencing marginalisation or discrimination 

Charities can apply for up to £100,000 per year for up to five years and grants will typically range from £20,000 - £80,000 per year.   

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

APPly for a Charity Grant

OUR CHARITY PARTNERS

  • Logo with a stylized white line drawing of a mother's face and baby on a blue background, along with the text 'OXP' and 'Oxford Parent Infant Project' in blue.

    The Oxford Parent Infant Project

    Based in Oxfordshire, OXPIP offers specialist parent-infant psychotherapy to strengthen the bond between parents and babies, supporting families facing trauma, postnatal depression, or disrupted attachment.

  • Colorful logo with circles and the words "For baby's sake" and "break the cycle".

    The For Baby's Sake Trust

    The For Baby’s Sake Trust provides parents with trauma-informed, therapeutic support to break the cycle of domestic abuse and give their baby the best start in life.

  • Graphic with a stylized black illustration of a bearded man's face and hair, and a child's face in a circle, with the text 'DAD MATTERS' in black and orange letters on the left. On the right, purple and orange text reads 'Powered by HOME START' with a stylized figure incorporated into the design.

    Dad Matters, powered by Home-Start UK

    Home-Start UK is receiving funding to establish the Dad Matters programme nationally, supporting fathers during the first 1001 days of their parenting journey. The programme offers tailored outreach services and drop-in sessions, supporting babies by supporting dads to build strong, fulfilling relationships with their families.

  • Logo of Literacy Volunteers featuring an open book with green pages and blue outlines.

    Literacy Volunteers

    Nottinghamshire-based Literacy Volunteers delivers early language and literacy programmes in deprived communities, helping babies and young children build confidence, communication skills and a love of books alongside their parents.

  • Green background with white text stating 'thrive at five' and a curved line resembling a smiling face underneath.

    Thrive at Five

    Thrive at Five is a national charity working to improve outcomes for children under five. Our grant is helping them to pilot Video Interaction Guidance at a universal level, with the goal of improving parent-child interaction and school readiness.

  • Logo for 'Home Start Stepping Stones North Edinburgh,' supporting young parents, with colorful stylized figures of adults and children.

    Home-Start Edinburgh and Stepping Stones North Edinburgh

    Joint recipients of grant funding, Home-Start Edinburgh and Stepping Stones North Edinburgh have formed a partnership to offer support through a programme called Bump Start. Bump Start will provide holistic, relationship-based support from pregnancy throughout early childhood with the aim of reducing isolation and improving parental confidence and mental health.

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  • “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

  • “The work of the Charity is - I suspect - much needed, and I wish it every possible success.”

    — Sir John Major