Our Causes
The IIF’s commitment spans three pillars: advancing the Social Mobility Initiative to open doors for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, supporting annual charitable causes nominated by industry members, and funding ACC research through The Ella Project in honour of our colleague, Ella.
Each cause reflects our belief that the infrastructure we build externally should be matched by the opportunities and support we create for people.
Through annual Galas, the IIF transforms connection into action, turning goodwill into tangible change for communities, young people, and critical medical research.
Social Mobility Initiatives
Our Social Mobility Initiative unlocks potential, empowering young people from least advantaged backgrounds. Through greater awareness and understanding of the industry, talented students can discover pathways they never knew existed.
Our curated portfolio of partners each bring complementary strengths to dismantle the barriers young people face. With different approaches working in harmony, these partnerships equip students with skills, empower them with confidence and inspire them with possibility.
Starting with schools reflects a fundamental belief: every talented young person deserves access to top universities and the knowledge to navigate their career opportunities. This is where transformation can begin.
Career Ready
Career Ready connects employers and educators to accelerate social mobility for young people from under-represented backgrounds. Through structured mentoring, paid internships, skills masterclasses, and workplace visits, the charity equips students with the confidence and connections to transform their futures.
In 2024, Career Ready supported over 4,200 young people, giving them the skills, self-esteem, and social capital to kickstart meaningful careers.
The IIF's partnership with Career Ready opens the door for infrastructure professionals to make a tangible difference through mentoring and site visits. Just one hour a month can be transformative.
Futures for All
Futures for All levels the playing field for 11-19-year-olds in state schools and colleges, providing fair access to inspirational talks and fully funded work experience that unlock career potential.
With over 1.6 million young people supported through partnerships nationwide, the charity makes opportunity accessible to all.
The IIF's partnership with Futures for All enables infrastructure professionals to inspire the next generation through recorded broadcasts or live presentations - raising awareness of the sector and showing students what's possible.
The Access Project
The Access Project helps talented young people from under-resourced backgrounds gain access to an education at one of the UK’s top universities through a unique programme.
The Access Project is recognised as an industry leader in the widening participation field working with more than 40 schools across the country, supporting over 2,000 young people aged 14-18.
Our partnership with The Access Project supports the charity’s school delivery. Industry members can also assist with mentoring and insight sessions.
The Sutton Trust
The Sutton Trust utilises rigorous and extensive research to shine a light on barriers to opportunity from the early years to the workplace, to influence national policy change with evidence-based solutions. The programmes focus on high attaining students from low income families.
Together with university and employer partners, the Sutton Trust supports over 10,000 young people each year.
Our partnership with the Sutton Trust funded research into the barriers for students in accessing the industry and supported the charity in taking its programme delivery online during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Charitable Causes
Through our sold-out annual Gala dinner in April 2025, the Infrastructure Industry Foundation proudly supported four exceptional charitable causes that reflect our industry's commitment to building brighter futures. These organisations address hunger, childhood wellbeing, mental health and cancer research.
Nominated by our industry, these selected causes continue IIF's mission of impactful philanthropy, supporting disadvantaged young people in our communities while addressing challenges that directly impact those within our industry. With over 450 professionals from 50+ firms uniting for these causes, our 2025 Gala exemplified the infrastructure sector's power to create meaningful impact.
Magic Breakfast
Magic Breakfast makes a difference to over 300,000 children and young people every day by offering breakfasts and expert advice to tackle morning hunger in schools across England and Scotland.
The charity exists to make sure no child or young person is too hungry to learn.
Alternatives 2 Cancer
Established by Rhonda Ryan (Head of European Private Equity - Alternatives at Mercer), Alternatives 2 Cancer is an initiative to direct financial support from the Alternative Investments Industry in the quest to treat and defeat cancer, in partnership with The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, a world-leading cancer research organisation.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
CALM’s mission is to help people end their misery, not their lives.
CALM provide life-saving services, information and advice to help anyone struggling with life navigate the issues that can make us feel miserable. Their helpline answers 28,000 calls a month, one every 59 seconds.
Starlight
Starlight is charity for children’s play in healthcare in the UK, supporting children to experience the power of play to boost their wellbeing and resilience during illness.
The charity advocates for play professionals, supports families, and empowers children to experience the power of play.