Key information
Who it's for
Charities, schools and organisations, exploring vocational, creative or alternative pathways, including those who have historically faced barriers to higher education.
What it will achieve
Stronger progression opportunities, relevant skills development and informed decisions about future careers.
Typical grant size
£25,000–£30,000 per year
Typical grant duration
1-3 years
Who it's for
Charities, schools and organisations, exploring vocational, creative or alternative pathways, including those who have historically faced barriers to higher education.
What it will achieve
Stronger progression opportunities, relevant skills development and informed decisions about future careers.
Typical grant size
£25,000–£30,000 per year
Typical grant duration
1-3 years
What we fund
We recognise the importance of offering credible and accessible alternatives to traditional educational pathways. Not everyone thrives in, or benefits equally from, conventional academic structures, and it is essential to support people in pursuing opportunities that align with their skills, interests, and aspirations.
Our commitment is to equip individuals with the tools and resources to explore different routes to success, build confidence in their direction and remove barriers that limit access to opportunities beyond mainstream academic routes.
By taking a more inclusive, holistic approach to career development, we aim to demonstrate that achievement can take many forms and that non-traditional pathways are equally valuable in shaping fulfilling, impactful careers.
The change we want to see
- To open pathways to education, employment and training for young people in London, including apprenticeships, internships or cadetships.
- Young people to be better prepared for their careers, with skills that will be in demand as adults.
- Develop relevant and compelling advice and guidance for young Londoners
How you might do it
- Projects that are evidence-based and offer young people a suitable pathway for their needs.
- Projects to fill an identified or expected skills gap in an industry or sector.Initiatives collaborating with employers to provide work placements, paid internships and sector-specific mentoring.
- Projects supporting young creatives.
- Funding for individual apprenticeships, internships or cadetships, including those focused on heritage or traditional craft skills.
- Tailor-made careers advice that follows an established methodology.
- Support for organisations that provide the above.
Who we've funded
Projects we've funded that fit into this theme:
Maysa's story: Live Events Internship with the Roundhouse
The Roundhouse Live Events Internship gives young people from underrepresented backgrounds hands-on experience in the music industry.
Learn more
Megan’s Story: The Hand Engravers Association
The Portal Trust helps the Hand Engravers Association to support apprenticeships in the heritage craft skill of hand engraving. Megan is the current apprentice receiving funding from the Trust and has been training since 2019.
We caught up with Megan to find out how she got into hand engraving, how her apprenticeship has been going so far and what her ambitions are for the future.
Start your application
Find out if your organisation is eligible to apply for funding by taking our short quiz. If you pass the quiz, you'll be asked to complete our Expression of Interest form.