Hinge’s One More Hour $1M Fund Expands Globally, Launching in London
Today, Hinge launches the second year of One More Hour™ – a social impact initiative designed to help Gen Z foster more in-person connections. With 85% of Gen Z in the UK experiencing feelings of loneliness, and a significant 70% reporting anxiety about meeting people in real life, the need for supportive environments for in-person connections is more critical than ever. Following the US launch in 2024, Hinge is expanding the program globally, with new funding available to select social groups in Los Angeles, New York, and, for the first time, London. This expansion aims to create more opportunities for young people to connect in person.
The 2025 fund will provide $1M in grants to local groups that create free, accessible spaces for young people to find belonging and community in person. In London, where 51% of low-income young adults experience severe loneliness – compared to 14% of the overall low-income population – these spaces are especially critical. This year, approximately 100 groups will receive grants tailored to each of their needs.
“Last year, One More Hour made a real impact in helping Gen Z build meaningful in-person connections. We saw firsthand how providing funding to social groups gave young people more opportunities to meet, belong, and create lasting friendships. A survey of members from the groups Hinge funded in the U.S. found that 78% joined to meet new people, and 66% said they felt more connected after joining,” said Josh Penny, Hinge’s Senior Director of Social Impact (he/him). “That’s why we’re so excited to expand One More Hour into London for its second year. By extending our support in the UK, we hope to create more opportunities for young people to connect in real life and help reverse the growing loneliness epidemic.”
Hinge believes that deep connections – whether romantic or platonic – begin with meaningful in-person interactions. That’s why it is investing in social clubs that help Gen Z connect. With half (50%) of Gen Z in the UK emphasizing the importance of better access to affordable social activities, Hinge recognizes the crucial role these clubs play in addressing this need. In 2024, One More Hour awarded the first $1M fund to an inaugural cohort of 40 groups in the US, including Intrsxtn Surf, HBCUs Outside, ATLFILMPARTY, and Reading Rhythms.
In today's tech-saturated world, Hinge recognizes the growing need for curated spaces where young people can explore new interests and meet new people in person. In partnership with Trippin and its agency, Four Corners, Hinge launched Assemble, a day-long event designed to help Gen Z discover local social groups and build meaningful relationships offline. First launched in New York in October 2024, the event featured curated activities hosted by community-led organizations. Following its success, Assemble will launch in London at the ICA in April 2025, featuring workshops by groups such as Garden of Afruika, Arrival at One, and Four Winds Mahjong.
Hinge has a long-standing commitment to tackling loneliness and facilitating meaningful in-person connections. By collaborating with its in-house experts and external partners, Hinge equips people with the necessary tools, resources, and guidance they need to foster community and belonging – from creating a social groups directory in partnership with Trippin to releasing the Hinge Phonebook, 100 pages of inspiring and free ideas to replace screen time with in-person interactions. Additionally, Hinge continues to make bespoke grants to organizations like Centrlink and Build IRL, and collaborates with key partners, including the Coalition to End Social Isolation & Loneliness and the Crisis Text Line.
Learn more about Hinge’s One More Hour fund at hinge.co/onemorehour.
Methodology: The research was conducted by OnePoll in March 2025, surveying a representative sample of 2,000 Gen Z adults in the UK. OnePoll is an MRS-accredited market research company, specialising in online and mobile polling.
1,2,4, Source: OnePoll, 2025
3, Source: Campaign to End Loneliness