The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust operates a 3-year grant rotation system, with different areas of interest funded each year. In 2023 the first two rounds focused on the rehabilitation of prisoners, ex-prisoners, and those at risk of offending. Rounds 3 and 4 will focus on children and young people in care and care leavers. Round 3 opened to applications on Saturday 1st July 2023 with a deadline of Monday 31st July 2023. The Trust’s 2024 grant-making will concentrate on UK charities that are supporting people with a disability.

The Trust alternates between offering grants of £1,000 (Rounds 1 and 3) and £5,000 (Rounds 2 and 4) each year. For grants of £1,000, applicants must have a minimum annual turnover of £100,000. For grants of £5,000, applicants must have an annual turnover of over £1 million. Charities may only apply for one round per calendar year.

The Trust has a tendency to award grants to UK charities that are known to the Trust. Charities that, at some stage, would like to apply for a grant should make themselves known to the Trust through a letter of introduction.

The Trust’s next funding rounds are:

o Rounds 3 and 4, 2023: Children and young people in care and care leavers.
o 2024 (Rounds 1, 2, 3 and 4): Disability, although Rounds 3 and 4 may have a different emphasis than Rounds 1 and 2.

Further information, guidance, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and an online application form is available on the Trust’s website.

The deadline for applications to Round 3, 2023 is Monday 31st July 2023