Open Call: Shoosmiths Foundation’s Grants (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Shoosmiths Foundation supports UK-registered charities with projects that improve access to legal and business services careers for underrepresented groups across the United Kingdom. The Foundation focuses on initiatives that promote social mobility, access to justice, and sustainability. Through its previous grantmaking, it has awarded nearly £300,000 to charitable initiatives designed to create positive social change. The latest funding round offers grants of up to £50,000 for projects that create pathways into legal and business services professions and address barriers faced by underrepresented groups.

About the Shoosmiths Foundation

The Shoosmiths Foundation supports UK charities working to create positive change in society. Its previous funding has supported organisations working in areas including: The Foundation’s latest funding opportunity has a specific focus on widening access to careers in the legal profession and wider business services sector. Latest Funding Focus The current funding round is designed to support projects that address barriers preventing underrepresented groups from entering legal and business services careers. The Foundation is particularly interested in initiatives that: - Widen access to the legal profession - Improve access to higher education - Create pathways into legal and business services careers - Strengthen support networks - Address systemic barriers to opportunity - Improve career access for underrepresented groups - Demonstrate measurable impact Projects should have a clear connection to improving access to these professional sectors. Funding Available Selected projects can receive grants of up to £50,000. Applicants should propose projects that demonstrate a clear need, realistic approach, and measurable contribution toward widening access to legal and business services professions. The funding is intended to support initiatives capable of creating positive and sustainable opportunities for underrepresented groups. Who Can Apply? The opportunity is open to UK-registered charities of any size. Eligible charities should demonstrate that their proposed project addresses the Foundation’s current focus on access to legal and business services careers. Applicants should also be able to explain the barriers their target groups face and how the proposed project will help overcome them. Priority Areas The Shoosmiths Foundation has identified several areas that are particularly relevant to this funding round. Access to Higher Education Projects that improve access to higher education can help individuals from underrepresented backgrounds develop pathways toward professional careers. The Foundation gives priority to initiatives that help address barriers to higher education and create opportunities for people who may otherwise have limited access. Access to Legal Careers A central focus of the current funding round is widening access to the legal profession. Projects may seek to help underrepresented groups understand, access, and progress toward careers within the legal sector. Business Services Careers The funding also covers initiatives supporting access to business services professions. Projects should demonstrate how they will create meaningful pathways and opportunities within these professional fields. Support Networks Strong support networks can help people overcome barriers when entering professional careers. The Foundation prioritizes projects that strengthen support systems for underrepresented groups and help participants access guidance, networks, and opportunities. Addressing Systemic Barriers The Foundation is interested in initiatives that address systemic barriers to opportunity. Applicants should clearly identify the barriers affecting their target communities and demonstrate how their proposed approach can help reduce or overcome those barriers. Who Are the Target Beneficiaries? The latest funding round is intended to benefit underrepresented groups seeking greater access to higher education, legal careers, and business services professions. Applicants should clearly identify the groups they intend to support and explain why those individuals experience barriers to accessing these opportunities. Measurable Impact Demonstrating measurable impact is an important part of the current funding focus. Projects should establish clear outcomes and explain how progress will be assessed. Potential areas of impact could include improved access to education, increased awareness of career pathways, stronger professional networks, improved employability, or greater progression into legal and business services careers, depending on the project’s specific objectives. Previous Foundation Support The Shoosmiths Foundation has previously supported UK charities working across social mobility, access to justice, sustainability, employability, skills development, and justice awareness. The Foundation has awarded nearly £300,000 to initiatives aimed at creating positive change in society. Previous recipients demonstrate the Foundation’s interest in practical projects that can address social barriers and create meaningful opportunities. How to Develop a Strong Project Proposal Eligible charities should make a clear connection between their project and the current funding priorities.

A strong proposal should explain:

- The problem or barrier being addressed - The underrepresented group that will benefit - Why the project is needed - How the project will improve access to higher education or professional careers - How it will create pathways into legal or business services professions - How support networks will be strengthened - How systemic barriers will be addressed - What activities will be delivered - What measurable outcomes are expected - How the project will create positive change The proposal should focus on the specific barriers affecting beneficiaries rather than providing only a general employability programme. Demonstrating