THE AUSTIN AND HOPE PILKINGTON TRUST (ROUND 1, 2025)

Revenue grants of £1,000 are available for UK charities with an annual turnover of between £100,000 and £1,000,000 for projects that improve access and participation in the arts.
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o Application deadline: FRIDAY 28th FEBRUARY 2025. The programme opens to applications on Saturday 1st February 2025.
o Funder: The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust (founded 1968. Charity No: 255274. Total value of all grants awarded during the year ended 31 December 2023: £282,254 (2022: £302,301; 2021: £306,164; 2020: £327,152)).
o Who can apply: UK registered charities with an annual turnover of between £100,000 and £1 million for grants of up to £1,000 or an annual income of over £1 million (no upper limit) for a grant of up to £5,000.
o Key words: Improving Access and Participation to the Arts, Performing Arts, Theatre, Dance, Music, United Kingdom.
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The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust operates a 3-year grant rotation system, with different areas of interest funded each year.

The Foundation will support the following priorities in 2025:

1. Rounds 1 (up to £1,000) and 2 (up to £5,000) – the Arts: Improving Access. The focus will be on performing arts projects – theatre, dance or music – that improve audience access and participation. The Foundation will not consider applications from non-performing arts projects, or projects focussing on performers. The Foundation also won’t fund salaries for charity staff unless specifically employed for the project concerned.
2. Rounds 3 (up to £1,000) and 4 (up to £5,000) – Refugees and Asylum Seekers. To be eligible, a project must focus exclusively on refugees and/or asylum seekers as its beneficiaries, without extending services to other groups. The Foundation won’t fund salaries for charity staff unless specifically employed for the project concerned.

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 an 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 prioritise the awarding of grants to UK charities that are known to the Trust. Charities that, at some stage, would like to apply for a grant could consider making themselves known to the Trust through a letter of introduction.

During the year ended 31 December 2023, when the Trust’s priority in Rounds 1 and 2 was the rehabilitation of prisoners, ex-prisoners and those at risk of offending, and – in Rounds 3 and 4 – children and young people in care and care leavers, 79 grants were awarded totalling £282,254 (2022: 89 grants totalling £302,301; 2021: 92 grants totalling £306,164; 2020: 160 grants totalling £327,152).

A list of all donations made during the year can be viewed on pages 18-20 of the Trust’s annual accounts. 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 1st application round of 2025, which opens on Saturday 1st February 2025, is Friday 28th February 2025.