Mission44

Mission44 is a charitable foundation launched in 2021 by Formula One champion Sir Lewis Hamilton with a £20 million personal commitment, inspired by his experiences as the sport's only person of colour. Its mission is to foster a fairer, inclusive future by tackling educational and structural inequities for disadvantaged young people, especially from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds, enabling them to thrive in school and access STEM and creative industry careers. Rooted in evidence-led change, youth empowerment, inclusivity, partnerships, and transparency, it prioritizes systemic reform through grant-making, research, advocacy, and amplifying youth leadership.

The foundation funds initiatives transforming education outcomes, such as innovative school practices, leadership and mentoring programs, tech/digital skills development, tackling school exclusion, elite university progression, and youth social action. Beneficiaries are primarily disadvantaged children and young people, with support also for equity-championing organizations and system-change projects; examples include Teach First, upReach, and Hamilton Commission efforts in motorsport diversity, reaching over 300,000 youth via 33+ grantees.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, CICs, or social enterprises (including some unregistered) operating UK-wide—primarily England and Wales, with emerging global reach—no strict income limits, but preference for underfunded groups led by people of colour. Primarily invite-only via networks and research, unsolicited enquiries via website are reviewed monthly; process starts with EOI, then full application if shortlisted, with quarterly board meetings (March, June, September, December) and decisions within 3 months or 15 days for rolling reviews. Open calls (e.g., Diversity in Education Fund) are announced online.

Grants range £5,000–£500,000, including development (1-2 years, up to £75,000), impact (3-4 years), project, unrestricted, and capacity-building support. It avoids one-off interventions, favoring scalable, youth-centered, long-term systemic impact distinguished by Hamilton's advocacy, anti-racism focus, youth advisory board, and role as lead funder for bold reforms.