Boys and young men
NPC and Movember are building a stronger, more connected field of support for boys and young men, helping funders and philanthropists make more informed decisions and direct funding with greater intention and coordination.
Why this work matters
Boys and young men face serious, interconnected challenges across education, employment, mental health, safety, social connection and physical wellbeing. Support already spans youth work, community provision and violence prevention, but the wider funding system does not yet recognise or support this work as a coherent field, making it difficult to see, connect and strengthen. NPC and Movember are working together to change this by building the evidence, relationships and momentum needed to make the field more visible, support evidence-led decision making, and help funders make their funding more intentional, coordinated, relevant and accessible.
A focus on boys and young men strengthens, not competes with, wider social justice, equality and inclusion objectives. Understanding where they face distinct experiences, barriers and outcomes can lead to better support for boys and young men, their families and their communities. Read more about why NPC is exploring this area of work.
Making the invisible field visible
In July 2026, NPC and Movember published The invisible field, mapping the UK organisational and funding landscape for boys and young men.
- Only 1.09% of the youth funding analysed went to organisations specifically focused on boys and young men.
- These organisations received £28.5 million of the £2.62 billion in youth funding analysed between 2020 and 2025.
- Of 71,812 youth-focused organisations analysed, 1,426 (1.99%) explicitly focused on boys and young men.
The research revealed more than a funding gap. It found limited visibility, coordination, specialist infrastructure and shared language across the field. The opportunity now is to connect this scattered activity and build a stronger field that can attract and direct funding more effectively.
The invisible field: Why we need to have a conversation about funding for boys and young men
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DownloadMoving from insight to action
This programme for change is bringing funders, philanthropists and others across the sector together to turn insight into action. Through targeted outreach and curated conversations, we will identify the strongest opportunities, address barriers and develop practical steps towards more intentional and coordinated funding.
Our discussions will be evidence-led, purposeful and collaborative. Funders and philanthropists will be able to test assumptions, ask difficult questions, share uncertainties and learn from peers. The aim is to build shared understanding and identify credible routes to improved support for boys and young men
What we want to achieve
Greater clarity and confidence: funders and philanthropists better understand needs, priorities and promising approaches, strengthening their decisions and their potential impact.
- More intentional funding: funders consider how a boys and young men lens could shape or strengthen their portfolios.
- Better coordination: funders and partners identify opportunities to align, collaborate and learn together.
- A stronger field: organisations, evidence and practice become more visible and connected.
- Shared, inclusive language: the conversation becomes focused on an empowering, strength based narrative.
Our partnership with NPC is to help increase support by understanding where the current gaps are, as well as improve co-ordination between funders for the maximum possible positive impact for boys and young men.
Victoria Crompton
Trusts & Philanthropy Lead, Movember
Get involved
Help us build a stronger field for boys and young men. We want to work with funders, philanthropists, practitioners, researchers and others who share this ambition. Register your interest to join future conversations, contribute evidence and learning, or explore opportunities for collaboration.
Contact us
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