Peter Cruddas Foundation

The Peter Cruddas Foundation, established in December 2006 by entrepreneur Lord Peter Cruddas—founder of CMC Markets and a self-made success from modest London roots—drives its mission from his personal experience of overcoming disadvantage. It focuses on empowering disengaged and disadvantaged young people aged 14-30 in England and Wales to achieve financial independence through education, training, and employment pathways. Core values emphasize opportunity creation, capacity-building, long-term relationships with grantees, and collaboration among charities to maximize impact, with a proactive, outcome-driven approach prioritizing measurable social mobility.

The foundation funds projects that directly support at-risk youth facing barriers like economic disadvantage, school exclusion, lack of social capital, or criminal justice involvement. Priorities include mentoring, skills and employability programs, work experience for ages 16-30, and preventative youth work—especially evening and diversionary activities in London. It backs initiatives tackling NEET youth, ex-offenders, and care leavers, funding organizations like Making the Leap and The Prince's Trust for education access, training, and employment readiness.

Eligible applicants are exclusively UK-registered charities (invite-only since 2021; no unsolicited applications), operating in England and Wales with a London emphasis but no geographic sub-restrictions. It prefers small to medium-sized groups with strong track records, without strict income limits, and evaluates governance, sustainability, and impact. Grants range from £500 to £25,000, supporting project funding, core costs, multi-year revenue, and capacity building—but excluding capital projects and individuals. Distinctive for its laser focus on youth opportunity rooted in the founder's story, it seeks partners demonstrating clear, sustained results in employability and independence.