Toynbee Hall

Toynbee Hall, founded in 1884 as the world's first university settlement in East London, is a historic charitable institution dedicated to tackling poverty, injustice, and inequality through partnership, empowerment, systemic change, and amplifying marginalised voices. Rooted in its radical origins by Samuel and Henrietta Barnett, it builds fairer communities in Tower Hamlets and wider East London via direct services, participatory research, policy advocacy, and community arts at Toynbee Studios. Its mission encompasses poverty relief, financial inclusion, free advice on debt/welfare/housing/legal issues, mental health support, social inclusion for vulnerable groups, lifelong education, and civic engagement, serving over 4,500 people annually while influencing national reform.

It prioritises low-income families, older/young people, those with disabilities, and systemically disadvantaged residents through micro grants for participatory action research, youth leadership, and grassroots initiatives, alongside pan-London efforts like Debt Free London.

Eligible applicants are limited to local individuals, young people, or grassroots community groups in East London (primarily Tower Hamlets), not external charities or organisations—no income thresholds apply, as it does not accept unsolicited applications. Micro grants (£300–£1,000) are distributed via internal community engagement programmes or partnerships, without fixed deadlines or open rounds; interested parties must contact programme teams or watch for published calls.

Toynbee Hall does not fund external charities, core costs, capital projects, or non-local efforts, distinguishing itself as a hybrid service provider, researcher, and catalyst for radical change rather than a traditional grantmaker—fostering resilient communities through power-shifting collaboration and legacy ties to social reformers like Attlee and Beveridge.