What The Invisible Field report is all about

A new joint report from New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) and Movember is calling on funders to give boys and young men’s health and wellbeing clearer focus, stronger coordination, and more intentional investment.

Key findings:

• Boys and young men are present across youth provision, but they are rarely recognised as a distinct group with specific needs, experiences and barriers to support.
• Of 71,812 youth-focused organisations analysed, only 1,426 explicitly focus on boys and young men, equivalent to less than 2% of the youth sector. 
• Funding follows the same pattern: of £2.62 billion in youth funding analysed from 2020 to 2025, only £28.50 million, or 1.09%, went to organisations specifically focused on boys and young men.

The report finds that while relevant support already exists across many services and sectors, it’s rarely recognised or backed as a coherent field. As a result, it can be harder for funders and partners to see the full landscape, identify gaps, and invest in ways that build stronger, more joined-up support. In other words - our report shows what’s needed to actually help boys and young men thrive. Adding to the support that already exists, not taking away from it. 

So, why is the report helpful?

The report is intended to help funders, philanthropists, and sector partners better understand the current landscape and identify practical opportunities to strengthen support in ways that help boys and young men thrive. It makes the case for clearer recognition of an underdeveloped field, alongside existing priorities, rather than at the expense of other groups.

Alex Hayes, Director of Philanthropy, NPC shares

“When funding is not clearly identified, it is less likely to be prioritised, scaled, or sustained. This report is a call to action for funders to help make visible the support already reaching boys and young men and to invest in growing it. Today, this work is fragmented and often overlooked. With clearer focus, stronger coordination, and targeted investment, funders can help turn a collection of activities into a recognised field with greater impact and a real potential to improve lives.”

Gayathri Butler, Director, Global Social Connections Investments at Movember, said
“Boys and young men face a set of serious, inter-connected challenges, and support designed with them in mind can make a real difference to their wellbeing, opportunities, and futures. This report helps show why stronger recognition, better connection across the field, and more intentional investment matters. We hope it encourages funders and partners to deepen their understanding of this field, see the opportunity to build on what already exists and strengthen support over time.”

What next?

This report is not an endpoint, but an invitation to act. We will be convening funders in the coming months to explore opportunities for further action and investment. 

For more information, or to be involved, please email Vicky Crompton - vicky.crompton@movember.com