How we do it

We nourish a new type of leader with early stage ideas who have the vision and determination to shift systems in long-term and meaningful ways.

We back people, individually and collectively, to drive change for all young people

We invest in early-stage leaders and ideas, opening doors to the financial and social capital needed to break down barriers to change.

We back leaders who share our vision of a world where all young people unlock their agency, connect to their purpose, build meaningful relationships, and grow to thrive now and in the future.

Driving impact: the numbers

Visionary leaders backed

£0m

In follow-on funding raised by our changemakers for their early stage projects - 12 times our initial £5m investment.

Global partner organisations making the case to transform systems for young people.

Our community of changemakers

The people who lead the projects we fund think big, take risks and make things happen because they understand there is no time to waste. We support projects that are at an early stage and provide support so that they have the potential to grow and make a difference nationally.

Our Approach to Funding Change

We invest in changemakers from day one
We embrace the uncertainty of early-stage ventures, dedicating most of our funding over the past decade to bold, new ideas at their inception.

We commit for the long term
We know that Impact doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time. We give our community the space, support, and time to test their ideas and drive real change.

We back Big Changemakers
The leaders we support don’t just think big, they lead differently. They are close and connected to the problems they’re solving and collaborate to create lasting impact.

We’re intergenerational and inclusive
We believe that there is strength in supporting all generations of leaders, and that there is as much wisdom and value in lived experience as there is in years of experience in the workplace. We create change with, not to, young people, and ensure their needs are at the center of every project we back.

We’re impact first
We support a diverse range of people, projects, and enterprises, because what matters is that they deliver meaningful, human-centred change for young people.

Our support goes beyond funding
Our community offer provides all those who receive our grant funding with a space to build trust and relationships, learn with and from each other, co-create new ideas and insights, and champion big change together - both during their funded period and beyond.

Support our mission

Big Change’s willingness to take a chance on a new founder, with a bold idea, has been a huge contributor to the initial and enduring success of The Difference. Five years on, with backing from Big Change plus the amazing connections made through their Pioneer network, The Difference is a thriving charity working with hundreds of schools and helping thousands of students to feel safe, included and successful.
Kiran Gill, The Difference