Persimmon Charitable Foundation is offering £200,000 in funding this year to charities that focus on social mobility and youth development.

A first round of funding to offer two charities £50,000 each in funding is now underway with the deadline for applications set at midnight on 13 April. Donations from this round will be made in May.

Meanwhile, a second round of funding will be open in June, with an additional two £50,000 donations awarded in September.

“This new open application programme will create new opportunities for us to support organisations that tackle inequality and aid social mobility, helping us to change more lives,” said the foundation’s chair Anthony Vigor.

Persimmon’s foundation was set up a decade ago to support communities, with a focus on areas of economic and social deprivation.

Other good causes it has backed include improving public facilities, helping people lead more active lives and funding medical research.

To date the Foundation has distributed £4m to 3,750 good causes.

During December last year it donated around £100,000, including £7,500 to Cardiff City FC Community Foundation and £15,000 to YMCA in Sandwell.

---