The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust operates a 3-year grant rotation system, with different areas of interest funded each year.
The Foundation has announced the following priorities for 2024:
1. Rounds 1 (Grants of up to £1,000) and 2 (Grants of up to £5,000) – disability, specifically employment and training for people living with disabilities to ensure better access.
2. Rounds 3 (Grants of up to £1,000) and 4 (Grants of up to £5,000) – food poverty, with a focus on providing nutritious meals, food education, cooking skills, and eliminating food waste.
Support will be available for the priorities below in 2025 (full details will be published toward the end of 2024):
1. Rounds 1 (u to £1,000) and 2 (up to £5,000) - the Arts: Improving Access.
2. Rounds 3 (up to £1,000) and 4 (up to £5,000) - refugees and asylum seekers.
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 between £100,000 and £1 million. 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 consider making themselves known to the Trust through a letter of introduction.
During the year ended 31 December 2022, when the Trust’s priority was the Arts, it awarded 89 grants totalling £302,301 (2021: 92 grants totalling £306,164; 2020: 160 grants totalling £327,152).
Details of previously successful applicants are also available on the Trust's website.
Funding is not available for:
o Animal welfare charities.
o Any not-for-profit organisation (eg social enterprise and community foundation) that is not a UK registered charity or organisation exempt from registration.
o Capital projects, including churches, schools, hospitals, hospices, museums, galleries and theatres.
o Charities involved with religion (including repair of church fabric).
o Charities with an income of less than £100,000.
o Churches even when they are used by community groups.
o Holidays, including respite holidays.
o Individuals, including individuals embarking on a trip overseas with a charitable organisation.
o Minibuses or other vehicles.
o Overseas projects.
o Scouts, Guides, Cubs, Brownies.
o Schools, including activities.
o Sea Cadets.
o Shop mobility services.
o Students, or
o Village halls
Further information, guidance, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and an online application form is available on the Trust’s website.
The deadline for the first application round is Thursday 29th February 2024.
