Igen Trust

Igen Trust is a registered charitable company in England and Wales, established in 2008, dedicated to relieving unemployment for public benefit through education, training, skills development, and practical support like advice, guidance, and assistance to secure employment. Rooted in a pragmatic, impact-oriented ethos, it empowers individuals and communities via strategic grant-making to organizations, supplemented by potential services, advocacy, or research sponsorship. Bolstered by 2016 funds from The Trust for Education, it sustains operations through investment income, distributing over £400,000 annually in multi-year grants while upholding robust governance on risks, safeguarding, and conflicts.

The Trust prioritizes projects tackling unemployment barriers, youth employability, skills training for disadvantaged groups (e.g., disabled people, socially excluded youth), lifelong learning, and transitions to work. It supports education, economic/community development, and employment initiatives benefiting children, young people, charities, voluntary bodies, and the general public, favoring scalable, evidence-based, or innovative efforts by experienced institutions over small-scale or individual aid.

Eligible applicants are exclusively UK-registered charities operating in England and Wales (no regional limits), with a preference for medium-to-large organizations demonstrating capacity in employability outcomes; no strict income thresholds apply. Funding is invite-only—no unsolicited applications, open calls, or portals—with trustees assessing strategic alignment quarterly. Typical grants range from £15,000 to £100,000, scaling to £250,000 for major projects, covering project work, core costs, or capacity-building (no capital or emergency funding).

Distinctively investment-led and trustee-driven, Igen avoids peripheral activities, gift aid, or non-core purposes, differentiating itself by fueling high-impact employment interventions for at-risk groups through targeted, substantial support to proven deliverers.