Jaguar Land Rover has launched a charitable foundation aimed at empowering children and young people.

The JLR Foundation will support charitable initiatives that help children and young people to “reach their full potential and catalyse positive social and environmental change”, the car company said.

JLR has pledged up to £2.5m to support the foundation’s work in its first year, with plans to increase funds annually as the foundation grows.

The funds will be used to award grants to charitable organisations and NGOs that boost children and young people’s skills, knowledge and abilities, and reduce inequalities by providing opportunities for those who are disadvantaged.

When asked how much funding would be offered through these grants, a spokesperson for the car-maker said: “The JLR Foundation trustees and leadership will work in partnership with charities and sector experts to identify how best to invest its funds for greatest impact.

“Governance about funding applications will also be decided by the JLR Foundation once officially launched later in 2025 but grants will only be awarded to charities and organisations that closely align with its purpose and help deliver against its charitable objects.”

The foundation will operate initially in the UK, with plans to expand globally in future.

Laura Brown will lead the foundation as its director, taking up the post in April. Brown was previously chief executive of Promoting Equality in African Schools, a charity dedicated to expanding education access in Africa. 

The foundation has also appointed four trustees from JLR’s workforce: Andrea Debbane, chief sustainability officer, Chris Thorp, chief of staff, and Phoebe Leet, global HR director, and François Dossa, head of sustainability for Latin America. 

Additional JLR and independent trustees are due to be appointed over time.

Debbane said: “We want to help unlock aspiration and potential in all children and young people, many of whom miss out because they don’t know opportunities exist, or they don’t have the self‑belief or means to try. 

“By removing barriers and providing access to the right skills, knowledge and opportunities, they can all play their part in building an exceptional and sustainable future.”