Apply for Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust Grant (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust is inviting applications from UK registered charities for grants supporting projects focused on people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and unpaid adult carers in 2026. The Trust operates four annual grant rounds, each with its own thematic priorities and eligibility requirements. In 2026, Grant Rounds 3 and 4 focus on projects providing therapeutic support to unpaid adult carers aged 18 and over.

About the Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust

The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust is a UK-based charitable trust that provides grants to registered charities working to address important social needs. The Trust operates four grant rounds each year. Each round has specific priorities and eligibility requirements, allowing the Trust to direct its funding towards different areas of need. The Trust also changes its focus areas from year to year to respond to pressing social issues and ensure that available resources reach people and communities who need support. 2026 Grant Priorities The 2026 programme includes funding priorities related to: - People experiencing homelessness. - People at risk of homelessness. - Unpaid adult carers. - Therapeutic support for unpaid carers. - Healthy eating activities for unpaid adult carers. - Outdoor activities for unpaid adult carers. For Grant Rounds 3 and 4, projects must specifically serve unpaid adult carers aged 18 or over. An important requirement is that eligible projects must serve unpaid adult carers exclusively. Organisations proposing projects that combine adult carers with other beneficiary groups should therefore ensure that the project meets the specific eligibility requirements of the relevant grant round. Support for Unpaid Adult Carers Grant Rounds 3 and 4 are designed to support projects providing therapeutic and wellbeing-focused activities for unpaid adult carers. Unpaid adult carers can face significant pressures while providing ongoing support to family members, friends or others who need care. The Trust’s 2026 focus provides charities with an opportunity to develop projects that support carers’ wellbeing through activities such as: - Therapeutic support. - Healthy eating activities. - Outdoor activities. - Other activities aligned with the priorities of the relevant grant round. Projects should clearly demonstrate how their proposed activities will benefit unpaid adult carers aged 18 or over. Who Can Apply? Applications are restricted to eligible organisations that meet the Trust’s requirements.

Eligible applicants include:

- UK registered charities. - Eligible exempt organisations. Applicants must also satisfy the relevant income and expenditure thresholds established for the particular grant round. Because the Trust applies different financial criteria to its rounds, applicants should check the requirements applicable to the specific round before submitting an application. Project Eligibility Requirements To be considered for funding, projects should: - Align with the current priorities of the Trust. - Meet the relevant financial eligibility criteria. - Serve the beneficiary group specified for the applicable grant round. - Follow the Trust’s requirements for eligible expenditure. - Not fall within any of the Trust’s excluded categories. For Grant Rounds 3 and 4 in 2026, projects supporting unpaid adult carers must focus exclusively on unpaid adult carers aged 18 or over. What Does the Trust Not Fund? The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust has several exclusions.

Funding is not available for:

- Community Interest Companies (CICs). - Non-profit organisations that are not registered charities. - Capital appeals. - Religious projects. - Animal welfare projects. - Holidays. - Individuals. - Vehicles. - Overseas projects. - Schools. - Student activities. Applicants should carefully review these exclusions before preparing a proposal. Staff Salary Costs The Trust generally does not fund salaries for existing charity staff. However, salary costs may be considered where a member of staff is specifically employed for the project concerned. Applicants should therefore distinguish between general organisational staffing costs and staffing directly connected to the proposed funded project. How to Prepare a Strong Application Charities preparing an application should make sure their proposal clearly connects the project to the priorities of the relevant 2026 grant round.

A strong application should explain:

- Who the project will support. - Why the target beneficiaries need the proposed support. - What activities will be delivered. - How the activities provide therapeutic or wellbeing benefits where relevant. - How the project aligns with the current Trust priority. - How the proposed expenditure will support delivery. - How the organisation meets the relevant financial eligibility requirements. For Grant Rounds 3 and 4, applicants should make it particularly clear that the project serves unpaid adult carers aged 18 or over exclusively. Key Facts About Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust Grants 2026

- Funder: Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust.

- Location: United Kingdom.

- Applicant type: UK registered charities and eligible exempt organisations.

- 2026 focus: Homelessness-related projects and unpaid adult carers, depending on the grant round.

- Grant Rounds 3 and 4: Therapeutic support for unpaid adult carers.

- Carer age requirement: 18 or over.

- Beneficiary requirement for Rounds 3 and 4: Projects must serve unpaid adult carers exclusively.

- Possible activities: Therapeutic support, healthy eating and outdoor activities.

- Financial criteria: Specific income and expenditure thresholds apply to each round.

- Staff salaries: Generally excluded unless staff are specifically employed for the project.

- CICs: Not eligible.

- Overseas projects: Not eligible.

- Schools and student activities: Not eligible.

- Individuals: Not eligible.

Frequently Asked Questions What is the Austin and Hope Pilking