Give like you invest: how thoughtful philanthropy delivers greater impact for children
At a J.P. Morgan lunch in Manchester, SHINE CEO Fiona Spellman argues that philanthropy can be the risk capital of social progress.
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SHINE: Support and Help IN Education
Every child deserves the best start in life.
SHINE gives children brighter futures by unlocking barriers to learning.
We support children and young people in hundreds of schools across the North West, North East and Yorkshire & Humber.
We focus on areas of deprivation where we have the biggest opportunity to make a positive difference to children’s lives.
Innovation
SHINE identifies, evaluates, and scales up the most promising educational ideas.
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Philanthropy
SHINE connects donors with teachers to create new opportunities for disadvantaged children.
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Insight
SHINE uses evidence from its work to influence positive changes for children.
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Our latest impact
What we achieved over the past 12 months
SHINE's projects have made a significant impact.
In the last 12 months, we have helped more than 100,000 children across nearly 750 schools, while also providing support to over 26,000 parents and 5,220 teachers.
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Information for schools
Get involved
Opportunities to join our network of successful practice across the North.
Discover our funding opportunities, the support we offer, and ways to participate in our programmes.
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Fundraise for SHINE
You could help transform young lives
It's easy to make a donation to SHINE. Even the smallest gift could make a big difference to the lives of children in the North.
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SHINE's projects
Find out more about the projects and programmes we support
SHINE backs innovative learning approaches aimed at levelling the playing field for all children.
We fund school-based projects supporting children aged 0-19, addressing a wide range of areas such as reading, maths, science, verbal communication, parental engagement, school transitions, and wellbeing.
Find out moreEducation should unleash life’s potential, but too often, a child’s future is shaped by their background and circumstances beyond their control.
Many from low-income homes start school without key skills, fall behind, and over half leave school without essential GCSEs in English and maths – limiting their opportunities for further education or good jobs.
The divide is particularly acute in parts of the North.
Quick links to our Latest Updates
Let Teachers SHINE: 24 talented teachers shortlisted for 2026 awards
This year's finalists have devised projects spanning maths, English, science, cross-curricular learning and early years education
Let Teachers SHINE, News
The enduring legacy of teacher David Brown
David's family have chosen to support a SHINE reading project in his memory
In memoriam, News
SHINE and partners welcome proposal to reform Pupil Premium
SHINE's response to Government plans to reform Pupil Premium funding and improve support for children living with sustained disadvantage.
Insight, NewsInspiring Stories of impact
Lucy and Sara’s Story
We knew the main barriers would be limited resources and teachers being a bit frightened to teach science because of a lack of subject knowledge.
How a Let Teachers SHINE project in Bolton is helping istil a love of science in primary school children from a young age.
Sofia’s Story
Sofia "had no idea what UCAS was" before starting her A-Levels. By the end of college, she had secured a place to study biomedicine at a top London University.
Sofia, who speaks English as an additional language, came to study at Leeds Sixth Form College. She struggled with anxiety towards learning and had low confidence in her ability, particularly when it came to attempting exam questions.
Ali’s story
Despite her best efforts in school, Ali is behind age-related expectations in maths
Ali didn't enjoy maths, because she found it boring. "I never do maths at home," she said.