Making The Leap
Making The Leap is a UK social mobility charity delivering free skills training, mentoring, and school programmes to young people aged 11-30 from less advantaged backgrounds, funded by corporate partnerships, donations, and foundation grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Making The Leap does
Making The Leap is a UK-registered social mobility charity (Charity No. 1058648, Company No. 3162045) founded in 1993 by Brent residents and headquartered at Harriet Tubman House in Kensal Green, London. The organisation delivers direct programmes to two primary beneficiary segments: young adults aged 18-30 (via the three-week ACE Programme covering soft skills, CV/interview preparation, and ongoing mentorship) and school pupils aged 11-18 (via the Believe to Achieve and Pathways to Success programmes, mock interview days, and insight visits). All services are free to beneficiaries.
The business model is non-commercial: funding flows from three sources — corporate partnerships (bespoke packages for ESG, diversity, and employee engagement objectives), individual donations and fundraising (JustGiving, legacy gifts, London Marathon, Tough Mudder), and grants from foundations such as the Peter Cruddas Foundation (primary sponsor of the Social Mobility Careers Fair since 2016). Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the charity owns Harriet Tubman House freehold and a 125-year lease on the adjacent Hazel Road Community Centre, with a redevelopment project under planning.
Beyond direct delivery, Making The Leap operates a portfolio of nationally recognised leadership initiatives — the UK Social Mobility Awards (SOMOs), Social Mobility Day, The Social Mobility List, and The Social Mobility Podcast — which double as advocacy platforms and corporate partnership acquisition channels. The 51-100 employee organisation is led by Founder and CEO Tunde Banjoko OBE and chaired (since July 2024) by Sandra Wallace CBE of DLA Piper, with a board populated by senior figures from PwC, Advent International, Diageo, and other large corporates.
Making The Leap firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Making The Leap
- Legal name
- Making The Leap
- Website
- https://makingtheleap.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Making The Leap is a UK social mobility charity delivering free skills training, mentoring, and school programmes to young people aged 11-30 from less advantaged backgrounds, funded by corporate partnerships, donations, and foundation grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Making The Leap industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Social Mobility Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA), Communication, Collaboration & Conflict Resolution Skills (EDAMAIAF), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)
Keywords
Where Making The Leap is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Making The Leap business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Corporate Partnerships: Bespoke partnership opportunities for businesses to meet ESG, diversity, and employee engagement objectives. Partnerships include mentorship programmes, UK Social Mobility Awards sponsorship, workshops, masterclasses, mock interview days, and insight visits. Partnerships offered at various price points.
- Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations (one-off or monthly) via JustGiving platform, direct bank transfers, standing orders, and legacy gifts through Wills. Fundraising events include London Marathon, Tough Mudder, Ultra Challenge, and bespoke events. Donation amounts referenced: £10 for travel costs, £50 for mock interviews, £100 for career mentoring.
- Foundation and Trust Funding: Support from foundations such as Peter Cruddas Foundation who have sponsored Social Mobility Careers Fair since 2016. Three-year partnerships with multiple charities to help young people from primary school age through to work readiness.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free programmes for young people |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels11 records
Making The Leap product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Making The Leap is a UK social mobility charity that delivers free skills training, mentoring and career-readiness programmes to young people aged 11-30 from less advantaged socio-economic backgrounds. Its flagship offering is the three-week ACE Programme (followed by ongoing mentorship) for young adults, supplemented by school-based interventions (Believe to Achieve, Pathways to Success, mock interviews), and a portfolio of nationally recognised leadership initiatives including the UK Social Mobility Awards, Social Mobility Day, The Social Mobility List and The Social Mobility Podcast.
Product overview
Making The Leap operates a portfolio of interconnected programmes and initiatives focused on social mobility for young people from less advantaged backgrounds. The core offering is the ACE Programme, a three-week intensive workshop for young adults aged 18-30, supplemented by ongoing mentorship. For schools, the organisation delivers the Believe to Achieve Programme for Sixth Form students and the Pathways to Success Programme for students not pursuing university. The leadership strand includes the UK Social Mobility Awards (SOMOs), Social Mobility Business Seminar, Social Mobility Day, The Social Mobility List publication, and The Social Mobility Podcast. Supporting services include Careers Fairs, corporate insight visits, masterclasses, and mock interview programmes. All offerings work together to provide direct youth development and advocacy for systemic change in social mobility across the UK.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ACE Programme (Aspirations, Careers and Employability Programme) A three-week intensive workshop for young adults aged 18-30 that delivers coaching in soft skills, presentation skills, business ideas, CV preparation, job applications and interview preparation, followed by ongoing 1-1 mentorship for as long as needed.
- Believe to Achieve Programme Sixth Form intervention that equips and empowers students through partnerships with businesses, including insight visits, entrepreneurial challenges and mock interviews.
- Pathways to Success Programme Programme focused on developing essential skills and supporting alternate education and career pathways for school students not planning to go to university, providing employability training, work experience and one-to-one mentoring.
- Mentoring Ongoing 1-1 mentorship provided to young adults who have completed the ACE Programme, offering support in goal setting, career exploration, job application advice and feedback.
- UK Social Mobility Awards (SOMOs) A year-long programme of events and awards established to make social mobility advancement a key part of how UK organisations are run, featuring the SOMOs Awards Gala and various sponsorship opportunities, with over 500 organisations involved.
- Social Mobility Business Seminar Annual event where representatives of business and organisations come together to discuss social mobility and its positive impact, featuring speakers from the private sector.
- Social Mobility Day Annual initiative launched in 2022 to help raise awareness of social mobility and encourage organisations to share social mobility stories, taking place in June each year.
- The Social Mobility List Annual publication focused on highlighting key contributors and initiatives driving social mobility in the UK, featuring Movers and Shakers, organisations, individuals and leading charities.
- The Social Mobility Podcast Podcast launched in June 2019 and hosted by Founder and CEO Tunde Banjoko OBE, featuring senior business leaders who champion social mobility and discussing both personal and professional perspectives on social mobility issues.
- Careers Fair Annual event designed to give young people opportunities to connect with top UK companies with live opportunities, including networking, mock interviews and LinkedIn Masterclasses.
Quantifiable outcome
- 78% of young adults achieved education, employment, or training (EET) outcomes since 2020
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Making The Leap
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Making The Leap technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Making The Leap partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- AmazoncoreCorporate partner supporting MTL's social mobility programmes. Logo displayed on website as a supporting partner.
- BNP ParibascoreLong-standing partner for over 5 years. Provides volunteers for mock interviews and presentations. Hosts ACE Programme associates at their offices. UK Head of Community Engagement Tracey Fuller: 'Making The Leap are leaders in the field.' MTL alumni Nikita secured role as Junior Paralegal through networking during the programme.
- BPcoreCorporate partner supporting MTL's social mobility programmes. Logo displayed on website.
- MicrosoftcoreCorporate partner supporting MTL's social mobility programmes. Logo displayed on website as a supporting partner.
- PwCcoreCorporate partner supporting MTL's social mobility programmes. Logo displayed on website.
- SkycoreCorporate partner. MTL alumni Kevin Sterling works as Platform Control Engineer at Sky. Joshua secured dream role as Football Journalist at Sky Sports after programme. Provides insight visits and networking opportunities for programme associates.
- StepStonecoreCorporate partner hosting events for MTL programme associates. Provides insight into recruitment and career opportunities.
- Knight FrankcoreCorporate partner supporting MTL's social mobility programmes. Logo displayed on website.
- Hedley MaycoreCorporate partner providing volunteers for MTL programmes. Partner Nick Hedley: 'The reason we love volunteering with Making The Leap so much is the inspiring young people that we get to work with.'
- Smart PensioncoreCorporate partner hosting Life After ACE event at their London offices. Provides venue and support for alumni networking and career progression events.
- CloserStill MediacoreNew partnership announced for 2025/26 period. UK-based events company organising award-winning B2B exhibitions. Will collaborate on insight days, mock interviews, and interactive masterclasses. CEO Tunde Banjoko: 'We are delighted to partner with CloserStill Media on our vital social mobility programmes.'
- Howard Kennedy LLPcoreCharity partner supporting MTL. Employee Lauren Walton ran London Marathon 2026 to raise funds for MTL. Executive Director Irena Molloy: 'We're incredibly proud of Lauren for taking on such a huge challenge in support of our charity partner Making The Leap.'
- CMC MarketscoreLong-standing partner since 2016. Lord Cruddas founded CMC Markets and Peter Cruddas Foundation. Foundation has sponsored Social Mobility Careers Fair since 2016. Multiple MTL Fellows placed at CMC Markets including Emmanuel who progressed to Data Protection team.
- Freshfields Bruckhaus DeringercoreCorporate partner supporting MTL's social mobility programmes. Logo displayed on website as a supporting partner.
- GICcoreCorporate partner. Volunteered time for Queen Mary University pilot programme, hosting sessions for students from less advantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
- Queen Mary University of LondoncoreEducational partner where MTL piloted a new programme for students from less advantaged socio-economic backgrounds (LSEB). 21 students completed eight-week programme with soft skills workshops and business masterclasses.
- Co-opcoreCorporate partner supporting MTL's social mobility programmes. Logo displayed on website as a supporting partner.
- Pathlight AssociatescoreProfessional services firm where MTL alumni Aziza secured role as Junior Consultant. Making The Leap helped with interview preparation and career guidance.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Making The Leap competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Prince's Trust: The UK's largest youth charity, supporting 11-30 year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds into education, training and employment via programmes, mentoring, and employer partnerships. Directly comparable mission, beneficiary age range, employer-engagement model, and free-to-beneficiary delivery structure.
- Career Ready: UK charity linking state school students with employers through mentoring, masterclasses, workplace visits and paid internships. Directly comparable in workplace-exposure model for disadvantaged 11-18 year-olds, with similar corporate volunteer mobilisation and free-to-pupil delivery.
- Speakers for Schools: UK charity giving state school students access to employer insights via talks, work experience and insight visits. Directly comparable in employer-engagement model for disadvantaged school pupils and use of corporate volunteers, though lighter on structured multi-week programmes.
- Social Mobility Foundation: UK charity running the Aspiring Professionals Programme and employer mentorship for high-achieving students from lower-income backgrounds. Closely comparable in target beneficiary, mentoring-centric delivery, and corporate partnership model, with overlap in the social mobility leadership space.
- The Sutton Trust: UK foundation running social mobility programmes (e.g. Pathways to Law, Pathways to STEM, Summer Schools) and the Social Mobility Index used by employers. Comparable mission and school-to-career pipeline focus, with a stronger research and policy orientation than MTL.
- UpReach: UK social mobility charity helping undergraduates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds into competitive graduate roles via mentoring, internships, and employer partnerships. Comparable target population (less advantaged young adults) and employer-led model, with a focus on university students rather than school leavers.
Emerging players
- Generation You Employed: Global nonprofit running free, employer-aligned training programmes that move unemployed young adults into jobs. Comparable workforce-development mission and employer-led curriculum, with a global footprint and tech-bootcamp orientation that differs from MTL's UK social mobility focus.
- Drive Forward Foundation: UK charity supporting care-experienced young people into sustainable employment via coaching, work experience and employer partnerships. Comparable coaching-plus-employer model for disadvantaged youth, focused on a narrower (care-experienced) segment and at smaller scale.
Broad incumbents
- Impetus: UK charity supporting other youth-focused organisations via funding, research, and policy advocacy to improve outcomes for disadvantaged young people. Comparable sector and beneficiary focus, with a broader portfolio model (funder-of-charities) rather than direct youth delivery.
- Movement to Work: UK coalition of major employers providing youth employment opportunities (training, work experience, jobs) for 16-24 year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds. Comparable employer-aggregation model but operates as a multi-employer initiative rather than direct beneficiary delivery charity.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Making The Leap social profiles
Digital presenceMaking The Leap compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Making The Leap financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Making The Leap leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Making The Leap funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Making The Leap M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Making The Leap
What does Making The Leap do?
Making The Leap is a UK social mobility charity that delivers free skills training, mentoring and career-readiness programmes to young people aged 11-30 from less advantaged socio-economic backgrounds. Its flagship offering is the three-week ACE Programme (followed by ongoing mentorship) for young adults, supplemented by school-based interventions (Believe to Achieve, Pathways to Success, mock interviews), and a portfolio of nationally recognised leadership initiatives including the UK Social Mobility Awards, Social Mobility Day, The Social Mobility List and The Social Mobility Podcast.
Is Making The Leap a public or private company?
Making The Leap is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Making The Leap founded?
Making The Leap was founded in 1993. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Making The Leap based?
Making The Leap is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Making The Leap make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Corporate Partnerships are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising and foundation and Trust Funding.
Who are Making The Leap's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Prince's Trust, Career Ready, Speakers for Schools, Social Mobility Foundation, The Sutton Trust and UpReach. Emerging players are Generation You Employed and Drive Forward Foundation. Broad incumbents are Impetus and Movement to Work.
Does Making The Leap have an API?
No public API is recorded for Making The Leap.
What industry is Making The Leap in?
Making The Leap's product category is Youth Social Mobility Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAOAD, Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth), with a secondary code of EDAMAKAA, Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8300.