At Audible, we believe in the power of storytelling. With the Future Stories Fund, we’re aiming to help unlock the potential of underprivileged 16- to 25-year-olds from historically marginalised communities, more specifically, those young people whose exclusion has had a negative impact on their levels of literacy and aspiration.
We’ll be doing this by offering grants of up to £15,000 to local organisations and projects that engage with young people, using the power of language to amplify their voices, share their stories and create a brighter future for them and the people around them.
THE FUTURE STORIES FUND
Audible is committed to tackling systemic issues affecting historically marginalised communities because we believe a little bit of imagination can change lives, cities and the future. The Future Stories Fund is designed to support new projects working with historically marginalised 16- to 25-year-olds. The fund is looking to support projects across the UK, starting with the North West of England.
We believe that storytelling and the power of language can empower marginalised young people to shape and share their stories and unlock their potential. The Future Stories Fund enables partner organisations such as yourselves to create an environment where individuals can experience how language can be used to express and present themselves, open doors and create opportunities.
The Future Stories Fund invites applications from organisations, community groups and networks at all stages and sizes, regardless of whether you are an incorporated charity or have full governance structures in place. If you need it, alongside the grant Audible will offer a package of capacity building support and fiscal hosting, and will work with you to find the best way to be of help. Once the funding period ends, your organisation will also be offered a consultancy support package to ensure your work can continue to develop.
This fund is being administered on behalf of Audible by the social impact and sustainability consultancy thinkBeyond, whose team brings expertise in designing and managing funds.
HOW TO APPLY
The first region to be invited to apply is the North West of England, which includes Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Halton, Lancashire, Merseyside and Warrington.
Applications are welcome from Wednesday 31st January and the deadline is Sunday 17th March.
When you apply, we’ll need to know:
Organisational details
Details of the project and cost breakdown
Constitution or governing documents, and safeguarding and EDI policies, if you have them.
An organisational bank statement that shows experience of handling money, if you have it.
We welcome applications using our online application form, and also via email (fsf@canyouthinkbeyond.com) or WhatsApp (+447765951983). Please feel free to use video or audio content to support your application if you want, which must be submitted via email or WhatsApp. If you need any support during the application process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us and we will be happy to help. We will also be holding drop-in sessions during the application period to answer questions or talk through any ideas you may have. You can book a slot here.
ELIGIBILITY
We’re looking for projects that fit the following criteria:
The project engages local 16-25 year olds using some element of language and expression to improve literacy levels and/or broaden career aspirations (see FAQs on our linktree here).
It’s new in some way – either entirely new, or has at least one new element, e.g. new location, target audience or approach. A project won’t be eligible if the grant would be used to fund the continuation or expansion of an existing project in the same location, with the same target audience, using the same approach.
Either or both:
Engaging youth located in the top 20% index of multiple deprivation (IMD Decile must be 1 or 2). This can be checked here, using a postcode.
Engaging youth from historically marginalised communities.
Will use the funds for a project starting within 6 months of receiving the grant, and to be delivered within 12 months of receiving the grant.
If you’re unsure whether your project is eligible, please send us a short brief of the type of project either via email (fsf@canyouthinkbeyond.com) or WhatsApp (+447765951983) and we can let you know! You can also book in a drop-in session with us throughout the application period here.
Head to our linktree to find links to further information, including our contact details and FAQs.
A BIT ABOUT AUDIBLE
Audible is an Amazon company offering hundreds of thousands of audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals – from best sellers and all-star voices to hidden gems and cult classics. There are millions of Audible members around the world, downloading nearly 4 billion hours of listening every year.
FIND OUT MORE
We’ve put together some FAQs which you can access on our linktree here, but if there’s something we haven’t covered, feel free to WhatsApp us on +447765951983 or email us at fsf@canyouthinkbeyond.com. You can also join us for a webinar on Friday 9th February at 11.00-12.00, where we will talk through the fund and the application process, as well as answer any of your questions. Register for the webinar here.
