Creating better futures for children and young people.
Who we are
Established in 2019 and founded by Michael and Henrietta Lindsell, The Lindsell Foundation looks to fund initiatives that will inspire and support children and young people of all abilities who are in need of additional help to fulfil their potential.
The Lindsell Foundation aims to create better futures, opportunities and improve life chances for children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, through supporting projects that focus on academic learning, social development and career progression.
By funding projects that focus on educational and vocational support, the foundation’s mission is to have a positive impact on young people’s lives, helping them to progress academically, develop essential life skills and prepare them for work and future careers. The Lindsell Foundation looks to build long term partnerships, funding projects over several years.
The Lindsell Foundation provides funding and grants to projects focused on educational and vocational support for children and young people in disadvantaged situations the UK. The foundation hopes to have a positive impact on children’s lives and futures, helping them to progress academically and vocationally, ensuring they are ready for work including developing essential emotional and social skills that will improve their life chances.
The Lindsell Foundation seeks out projects and programmes independently through extensive trustee led research. The foundation looks for schemes that are inspiring, combining ideas and drive with a proven track record. Listed below are some key attributes that The Lindsell Foundation looks for when researching new projects.
The Norfolk Boat
The Lindsell Foundation is delighted to be partnering with The Norfolk Boat in 2026, supporting a future expedition for young people across Norfolk and the surrounding area. The Norfolk Boat provides funding to help young people from all backgrounds take part in sail training voyages on sea-going vessels operated by approved sail training organisations. Life as part of a ship’s crew offers a uniquely powerful environment for personal growth. Through challenge, teamwork and adventure at sea, participants develop confidence, leadership skills, resilience and a strong sense of responsibility. The Foundation’s trustees were deeply impressed by the dedication of The Norfolk Boat team and by the tangible outcomes achieved by the young people who take part in these transformative experiences. Photo by Graham Cross.
Zero Gravity
Zero Gravity identifies students in low-opportunity areas across the UK and unlocks their potential from school through to top universities and careers. Support is delivered via the Zero Gravity platform, where students access personalised guidance for university applications, structured career development including mentoring and masterclasses, scholarship funding, and direct access to corporate internships and early-career opportunities. In 2025, The Lindsell Foundation supported this model by funding ten £3,000 scholarships (£1,000 per academic year) for undergraduate students from Norfolk and Suffolk.
IntoUniversity — Norwich
The Lindsell Foundation partnered with IntoUniversity alongside the lead partner The University of East Anglia (UEA) to help set up a new learning centre in Norwich. In 2021. IntoUniversity works closely with universities and schools to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds over many years to pursue their chosen pathway, vocation or even to either gain a place at university.
IntoUniversity — Great Yarmouth
The Lindsell Foundation partnered in 2023 with IntoUniversity to help set up the Great Yarmouth centre. The lead partners for this centre are UEA and Trinity College, Cambridge. The new centre opened on 5th March 2023 and is located in the popular Market Gates Shopping Centre, which will help to integrate it into the local community. Thus far it has been a great success and exceeded all its forecasts. Click on the link below to find out more about the centre itself.
Chance to Shine
Chance to Shine is a national charity dedicated to give all young people the opportunity to play and learn through cricket. The charity achieves this by providing grant funding to partners who deliver Chance to Shine programmes in schools and communities, as well as by offering free digital resources for teachers and schools. The Lindsell Foundation has committed to funding Chance to Shine over a two-year period to support cricket coaching, competitions, and leadership development in state primary and secondary schools across Norfolk. This partnership aims to provide young people in Norfolk with an inspiring and inclusive introduction to cricket, helping them develop essential life skills that will support their personal growth and future success.
