A new report from NPC (New Philanthropy Capital) and Movember, The Invisible Field, shines a spotlight on an issue that many organisations working with boys and young men have long recognised: despite growing concern about the challenges facing boys, very little dedicated funding reaches organisations specifically supporting them.
The report analysed £2.62 billion of youth funding distributed between 2020 and 2025. It found that just 1.09% was awarded to organisations focused specifically on boys and young men – just over 1p in every £1 invested in youth services.
Rather than suggesting that boys are ignored altogether, the report argues that support for boys and young men exists across many sectors but is rarely recognised as a distinct field. As a result, organisations working specifically with boys often lack visibility, coordinated investment and opportunities to build a stronger evidence base. This is an important finding.
At MAN&BOY, we see many of the issues highlighted in the report through our work with families across Surrey and south London. Boys are navigating increasing pressures around mental health and emotional wellbeing, family relationships, social isolation, harmful online influences and educational engagement.
Our work is built on the belief that boys benefit from having positive, trusted male role models in their lives. Through residential camps, activity days and mentoring programmes, we help strengthen relationships between boys and the men who care about them, creating opportunities for connection, confidence and resilience to grow.
Our recent Impact Report 2025/26 reflects many of the same themes identified in The Invisible Field. But it also reminds us that boys should never be defined solely by the challenges they face. Given the right relationships, encouragement and opportunities, they can thrive.
We welcome the NPC report because it brings much-needed attention to an area that has often been overlooked. Greater recognition of organisations supporting boys and young men can lead to stronger collaboration, better evidence about what works and more effective investment in preventative support.
At MAN&BOY, we're proud to be part of this growing movement. We hope this report encourages funders, commissioners, policymakers and partner organisations to recognise the value of targeted work with boys and young men and to invest in approaches that strengthen families and communities for the long term.
If you'd like to understand more about our work, explore our programmes, read our Impact Report or discuss opportunities to partner with MAN&BOY, we'd love to hear from you.
