The Youth Futures Foundation is delighted to welcome Dilys Winterkorn and Lekan Ojumu as Heads of Grants. Dilys and Lekan join Director of Grants and Investment, Matthew Poole, who leads the team responsible for managing Youth Futures’ rolling grants programme, dedicated to funding, supporting and evaluating promising youth employment programmes.
Dilys Winterkorn’s distinguished career spans work with charities and philanthropists in the UK and abroad. She has led international partnerships, multi-country programmes and generated millions of pounds for charities. Dilys is currently conducting research into African Philanthropy at the School of African and Oriental Studies in London.
Lekan Ojumu has a wealth of expertise in grant giving with a focus on young people and capacity building support from his experience with a leading social investment fund. Out of the office, Lekan has held numerous charity board positions and is currently a trustee of a local youth focused organisation based in London.
Director of Grants and Investment, Matthew Poole, is one of the initial team who established Youth Futures Foundation earlier this year. He has unparalleled experience of working with young people in the community from working with the National Lottery Community Fund, delivering the Talent Match youth unemployment programme and establishing the Youth Investment Fund with colleagues at DCMS.
Matthew, who is heavily involved with local youth work in his native West Midlands where he is based, commented:
‘Dilys and Lekan bring not just their expert knowledge, skills and experience, but a commitment to our vision of a society where all young people are able to access meaningful work regardless of their background. The team will be working to ensure funds are effectively invested in organisations that share our values and support the evaluation of promising practice and bold approaches to tackling youth employment.’
