Youth charity Jon Egging Trust (JET) has been awarded a significant multi-year grant from the BGF Foundation – the charitable arm of BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active growth capital investor – to support its work across Dorset and Lincolnshire.
The funding is part of the Foundation’s largest grant round to date, with over £650,000 in unrestricted, multi-year funding going to high-impact charities working with young people across the UK.
JET supports young people who are at risk of falling through the cracks in the education system, helping them to build confidence, aspiration, and resilience through immersive experiences with employers and inspirational role models. Its flagship three-year Blue Skies programme and shorter-term outreach activities are delivered in partnership with schools, employers, and STEM sectors.
In Dorset, JET will work with over 750 students during the 2024–25 academic year – including 103 young people enrolled on its long-term programme and an additional 650 students through its outreach work across six schools. While in Lincolnshire, the charity will work with over 850 young people during the 2024–25 academic year – including 102 students enrolled in its flagship long-term programme, and 750 more through its outreach work.
JET’s CEO, Dr Alex Brown, said, “With BGF Foundation’s support, we can invest in long-term, place-based work with young people who need it most. In Dorset, that means expanding our reach and strengthening our school and employer partnerships.”
The BGF Foundation was established to improve outcomes for young people facing disadvantage, with a focus on charities that are rooted in their communities and ready to scale. Its approach combines long-term, unrestricted funding with pro bono and volunteer support from BGF’s regional teams.
Charity partners in this round span the UK – from Brighton to Cardiff, Sheffield to Dorset – and reflect BGF’s commitment to making a national difference through local partnerships.
Andy Gregory, CEO of BGF and Chair of BGF Foundation, said, “JET’s programmes in Dorset are a fantastic example of high-quality, community-rooted work that’s changing young people’s futures. We’re proud to back that kind of impact.”