National Express Foundation
The National Express Foundation is a key element of National Express Group's support for the wider community in which we operate in the UK.
The public order disturbances in July 2011 highlighted the issues facing young people living in inner-city areas in the UK.
The disturbances involved a disproportionate number of people in the 15-24 year age group. Unemployment, boredom and lack of motivation among this group were all cited as factors. Ten years on, these factors are still as relevant now as they were when the Foundation launched, particularly as local authority spending on youth provision has continued to fall.
The Foundation aims to tackle these issues through the provision of grants to charitable and community groups for projects which support young people to enjoy positive and developmental activities and promote cross-community cohesion and understanding.
Since early 2020, Covid 19 has had a significant impact on the delivery of services which support young people. Delivery was either suspended or moved online which proved challenging to access for some young people. The pandemic has been particularly difficult to young people with special needs - many of whom rely on face-to-face support.
Find out more about the most recent groups and projects we have supported
As we continue to build out of the pandemic, the trustees of the Foundation decided to continue their support in 2022 on initiatives which will help young people to ‘make-up’ for time lost due to Covid.
They want to help young people gain the qualifications they need, to build the skills that will help them get jobs, and to help them develop constructive social networks outside of education or work. Initiatives which seek to support young people with special needs, were particularly welcomed.
Our funding programme in 2022 was open to community groups delivering services within the areas served by the West Midlands Combined Authority constituent members* and surrounding districts which are served by National Express West Midlands/Coventry bus routes and National Express Accessible Transport services.
*For clarity, the seven WMCA constituent members are Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
How to apply
The application deadline for the 2022 National Express Foundation funding programme has now passed.
Planning for 2023 is underway, and updates will be provided here when finalised.
You can find read more details of how we consider applications, on our application process page.
About us
The Foundation, launched in 2012, holds charitable status - Registered Charity Number 1148231. Although the Foundation is supported by National Express Group, it welcomes donations to support its work. If you are interested in donating to the Foundation or partnering with us in some way outside of our funding programme, please contact us at foundation@nationalexpress.com
