Fusion21 Foundation

Fusion21 Foundation, established in 2015 as a charitable company in Merseyside, UK, channels surpluses from its parent social enterprise—specializing in public sector procurement with social value—to tackle social and economic exclusion. Its mission focuses on enabling deprived communities to thrive through investments in health and wellbeing, employment and skills, financial inclusion, and resilience, while advancing citizenship and regeneration in urban and rural areas. Rooted in core values of partnership, flexibility, innovation, and impact, it adopts a proactive, invitation-only approach, fostering deep relationships across public, private, and third sectors as a member of the Association of Charitable Foundations and IVAR’s Open and Trusting initiative.

The Foundation prioritizes transformative projects like 'test and learn' pilots, research informing policy, and initiatives addressing mental/physical health, employability for youth, food poverty, training access, and housing-related challenges. Beneficiaries include social housing residents, young people, those in hardship, and at-risk groups, with outcomes emphasizing measurable wellbeing gains, financial stability, and systemic change. It frequently supports collaborations with housing associations like Guinness Partnership, Clarion Futures, and Torus Foundation on community investment, social innovation, and integrated health-housing efforts in areas like Manchester and London.

Eligible entities are UK-registered charities, CICs, social enterprises, and community groups, with a preference for medium-to-large organizations experienced in social housing, health, or employability; no formal income thresholds apply, but small grassroots groups typically partner in consortia. Grants range from £20,000 to £210,000 for project/programme costs, pilots, capacity building, or co-funding, excluding core/unrestricted support or duplicative activities. Strictly invite-only via relationship-building with Fusion21 members or direct VCSE engagement—no unsolicited applications, open calls, or deadlines; funding is rolling and negotiated. Distinguished by its procurement-leveraged, sector-shaping strategy, it excels in empowering innovative VCSE solutions for UK-wide community resilience.