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Important update to our grant programmes - please read before starting an application

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The Peter Harrison Foundation will close to new funding applications until further notice from Wednesday, 2 April 2025. This decision follows an unprecedented surge in demand for funding, resulting in less than 5% of grant applications being successful. We recognise the time and resources organisations invest in preparing grant applications and want to avoid charities spending their valuable time on applications when the likelihood of success is so low. This closure will allow us to focus on:

  • Reviewing our grantmaking strategy and processes to ensure our available funds can have the greatest possible impact in the future.
  • Supporting around 200 current grant holders.
  • Processing the hundreds of outstanding applications submitted before the deadline.

We regret the challenges this decision may pose to organisations seeking funding, however the overwhelming demand has made it unfeasible to continue accepting new applications. By pausing to review our strategy, we aim to strengthen our ability to support impactful charitable work and responsibly manage our resources.

Organisations currently receiving funding will not be affected by this decision.

Key details for the current application round:

Applications received by the end of the day on Tuesday, 1 April 2025 will still be considered.

To help us manage the significant rise in applications we are prioritising applicants whose work most closely aligns to our mission. Unless you meet the criteria below you are unlikely to be successful:

For Active Lives we will prioritise the applications that meet ALL of the following criteria:
    • work with people living with disabilities in the top 10% of areas of deprivation (Indices of Multiple Deprivation decile 1) AND
    • are from organisations with a track record of working with this population AND
    • have a robust plan for wider impact of the project through dissemination, training etc
For Positive Futures we will prioritise the applications that meet ALL of the following criteria:
  • work with children and young people living in the top 10% of areas of deprivation (Indices of Multiple Deprivation decile 1) AND
  • are from organisations with a track record of working with this population AND
  • have a robust plan for wider impact of the project through dissemination, training etc.

FAQs and Support

A detailed FAQ has been prepared to address questions regarding this closure, including guidance for current grant holders.

We remain committed to supporting charitable activity and will provide updates on any future changes to our funding policy through our website and communications channels.

Thank you for your understanding and for the invaluable work you do in your communities.