The objectives of the Elsie Pilkington Charitable Trust are:

1. To prevent cruelty to equine animals, to relieve suffering and distress amongst such equine animals, to care for and protect such equine animals, including live horses being transported country to country for butchery if such animals are in need of care and protection by reason of sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances or other similar causes.
2. To promote the relief of the elderly, and
3. To further such other exclusively charitable purposes according to the law of England and Wales as the Trustees in their absolute discretion from time to time determine.

The Trust normally makes two-thirds of its awards to equine charities and one-third to charities and/or hospices working with the elderly, although this doesn't apply - during its last financial year the Trust reversed this pattern. Equine grants are normally only considered from charities that are members of the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) or charities that are proactively working towards becoming members of NEWC.

Grants are generally for capital projects and usually between £2,500 and £15,000, with the occasional higher award.

Funding is not available for:

o Charities who have received a grant within the last three years.
o Individuals, or
o General Charitable Purposes.

Further information, guidance and an application form is available on the Trust’s website.

The Trust operates two application deadlines each year, in February and August. The next application deadline is Friday 25th August 2023.