Lifelines International Fund for Education

Lifelines International Fund for Education, a UK-registered charity (no. 1136839), is dedicated to alleviating educational deprivation and driving transformative social change among disadvantaged communities worldwide. Established to break cycles of poverty and inequality, it empowers children and young people in vulnerable contexts by supporting grassroots solutions that unlock their potential. Guided by values of responsiveness, accountability, diversity, tolerance, local sensitivity, and ESG principles, the fund adopts a distinctive partnership-driven model—forming active alliances with trusted charities rather than transactional grants—offering financial support alongside strategic guidance and a learning network for sustained impact.

It prioritises primary and secondary education for children in poverty, school development (e.g., libraries, labs, vocational training), interventions for those facing disadvantage or disability, and associated mental health services. Key beneficiaries include at-risk children, young people with disabilities, and communities in rural or marginalised areas, especially India, alongside UK and international projects. Funded activities encompass capacity-building for schools, teaching/volunteering initiatives, grants to local charities, and occasional individual aid, favouring community-rooted programmes with measurable, scalable outcomes.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups of small to medium size (typically under £1M annual income) demonstrating local credibility and mission alignment; there are no geographic restrictions, though a strong focus lies on disadvantaged regions like rural India. Unsolicited applications are not accepted—invitations only via networks or referrals—followed by detailed proposals reviewed quarterly by trustees, with decisions in 6-8 weeks.

Grants range from £5,000 to £25,000 (average £10,000-£15,000), covering projects, capacity-building, and select core costs; larger sums go to strategic multi-year partnerships. Exclusions include non-aligned activities or unvetted partners; what sets Lifelines apart is its holistic, empowerment-first ethos, flexible responsiveness to urgent needs, and emphasis on enduring, community-led transformation over short-term outputs.