Active Lives
Opportunities through sport and physical activity
Active Lives provides grants of £5,001 - £30,000 to charities & CASCs anywhere in the UK
On this page
Important update on grant programmes
In recent months, we have experienced a substantial increase in the number of applications we receive. Given our available funding, this has led to a drop in the overall success rate to 10%.
To ensure our resources have the greatest impact for those in the greatest need, we are implementing more focused criteria to direct support to work that is most closely aligned with our mission. In addition, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue our small grants programme. With demand at unprecedented levels, this change allows us to focus our limited resources on projects that deliver meaningful, sustainable outcomes.
By clarifying our funding priorities, we hope to give applicants a clearer understanding of our focus, helping you make informed decisions and reducing time spent on applications unlikely to receive funding.
For detailed information on our current criteria and priorities for each grant programme please use the links below. We appreciate your understanding as we adjust our approach to maximise the effectiveness and impact of our support.
Open grant programmes
Positive Futures
Opportunities for children and young people
Positive Futures provides grants of £5,001 - £30,000 to charities & CASCs in the South East of England
Peter Harrison Community Fund
Peter Harrison Community Fund only funds work in Surrey, and provides grants of up to £5,000
Grantmaking data
Below you can find data for the last 3 years about the grants awarded and applications received for our open grant programmes (i.e. the grant programmes that accept applications).
Please note:
- The Active Lives programme was previously called Opportunities through sport and physical activity
- The Positive Futures programme was previously called Special needs and care for children and young people
£1,170,839 pledged towards 92 grants
Summary
In 2023/24 our open grant programmes received 553 initial grant applications, which represents a 27% increase from the previous year. 73% of applications were for Active Lives and 27% were for the Positive Futures. Of these applications, 31 were ineligible, 7 decided to withdraw, and 515 went on to be considered for a grant.
92 grants were awarded, which represents a success rate of 18%, slightly down from last year’s rate of 21%.
Grants were awarded for the following purposes:
- capital funding 7%
- project funding 74%
- core funding 19%.
PHF awards a total grant which applicants can choose to use over a 1, 2 or 3 year period. 70% of grants were for 1 year, with 18% opting to spread the grant over 2 years and 12% opting for a 3 year grant.
Grantmaking budget
Active Lives £727,934
Positive Futures £363,967
Active Lives grants
Success rate:
- Small grants 11%
- Major grants 12%
Average grant:
- Small grants £3,367
- Major grants £16,337
Positive Futures grants
Success rate:
- Small grants 21%
- Major grants 17%
Average grant:
- Small grants £3,663
- Major grants £18,526
You can download a detailed breakdown of the grantmaking data for 2023/24 here
£1,203,835 pledged towards 83 grants
Summary
Applications received
In 2022/23 our open grant programmes received 404 initial grant applications, which represents an 8% decrease from the previous year. 73% of applications were for Active Lives and 27% were for the Positive Futures.
Grants awarded
83 grants were awarded, which represents an overall success rate of 21%, slightly up from last year’s rate of 19%.
Duration of grants
PHF awards a total grant which applicants can choose to use over a 1, 2 or 3 year period. The majority of grants were for 1 year (76%), with a small number of grantees opting to spread the grant over multiple years – 2 years (13%) and 3 years (11%).
Active Lives grants
Success rate:
- Small grants 30%
- Major grants 18%
Average grant:
- Small grants £3,758
- Major grants £19,657
Positive Futures grants
Success rate:
- Small grants 30%
- Major grants 20%
Average grant:
- Small grants £4,013
- Major grants £19,659
£1,262,836 million pledged towards 83 grants
Summary
Applications received
In 2021/22 our open grant programmes received 438 initial grant applications. 67% of applications were for Active Lives and 33% were for Positive Futures.
Grants awarded
83 grants were awarded, which represents a success rate of 19%.
Duration of grants
PHF awards a total grant which applicants can choose to use over a 1, 2 or 3 year period. The majority of grants were for 1 year (87%), with a small amount opting to spread the grant over multiple years – 2 years (6%) and 3 years (7%).
Active Lives grants
Success rate: 18%
Average grant: £15,858
Positive Futures
Success rate: 23%
Average grant: £13,880
Find out more
FAQs
Find answers to some of the most common questions about the Foundation and applying for a grant
Case studies
We like to celebrate and promote the work of our grantees. On this page you will find a selection of case studies that showcase some of the amazing work the Foundation has supported over the last 25 years.