VISION

Our vision is to create a fair and inclusive society where all young people can reach their full potential.

MISSION

To support, champion and empower young people from underserved groups to succeed through narrowing opportunity gaps in education, employment and wider society.

VALUES

WE ARE BRAVE

We have an ambitious sense of possibility, working to transform young people’s lives.

WE ARE COLLABORATIVE

We never work alone. We work with humility, building partnerships and coalitions to make change happen.

WE ACT WITH INTEGRITY

We are honest, transparent and build trust-based relationships.

WE ARE INCLUSIVE

We put equity as the heart of everything we do and amplify the voices of the underrepresented.

WE ARE CURIOUS

We are evidence-led, continuously learning to grow our impact.

THEORY OF CHANGE

EVERYTHING WE DO AS AN ORGANISATION WILL BE IN PURSUIT OF DRIVING LONG-LASTING, SYSTEMIC CHANGE.

Our activities will focus on:

Shifting power to individuals and groups that have traditionally been marginalised.
Redefining priorities to more effectively focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Shaping practice to be informed by ‘what works’.

PROGRESSIVE GRANTMAKING

Through flexible, trust-based and transparent grant-making, we invest in organisations who share our passion and commitment to improving the lives of young people from underserved groups.

BUILDING THE EVIDENCE BASE

Through research and evaluation, we help to grow collective understanding, both on what needs to change and in ‘what works’, to enable all young people to thrive.

WORKING IN COLLABORATION

We believe that complex challenges can only be addressed through collective impact. We will support and build coalitions and partnerships that make change happen.

YOUTH PARTICIPATION

Embracing the principle of ‘nothing about us, without us’ young people will be at the heart of everything we do, shaping our strategy and communications.

OUR GOALS

Our strategy has been developed in collaboration with a range of stakeholders, and focuses on three goals.

EDUCATION

BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE EDUCATION SYSTEM

More POC teachers and headteachers.
Anti-racist school cultures.
Social & emotional learning.
Young refugee integration.
Reducing school exclusions.

EMPLOYMENT

CREATE CAREER PATHWAYS IN STEM AND THE CREATIVE SECTORS

Early career opportunities.
Information, advice and guidance.
Career coaching and mentorship.
Links between schools and employers.

EMPOWERMENT

SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGEMAKERS

Young social entrepreneurship.
Decision-making opportunities.
Social action opportunities.
Links between schools and nonprofits.

FOUNDER

SIR LEWIS HAMILTON

Mission 44 stems from Sir Lewis Hamilton’s, decades-long fight for social change – a fight that was further ignited by the events of 2020 and the inequalities brought into stark contrast by the effects of the pandemic.

Having had first-hand experience of an education system that worked against him, and now as the only Black, working class person in his field, Lewis understands that addressing inequalities in education and employment are the necessary first steps towards building a fairer society.