Apply for Edward Holt Trust Long-Term Funding Opportunity (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 16-Oct-2026

The Edward Holt Trust is inviting applications from charities in Greater Manchester for substantial multi-year funding to launch ambitious new pilot projects designed to lift people out of poverty and prevent homelessness. The Trust is seeking bold, practical and locally rooted projects that address the root causes of poverty and homelessness while building long-term resilience. Proposed initiatives should be developed in partnership with people who have lived experience of poverty or homelessness and should create meaningful opportunities for them to contribute to both the design and delivery of the project. The Trust expects to make a substantial multi-year commitment, likely to be around £200,000 per year for up to five years. It may support more than one organisation and could taper funding during later years to encourage projects to become more sustainable.

About the Edward Holt Trust

The Edward Holt Trust seeks to address poverty and homelessness in Greater Manchester by supporting innovative projects that focus on prevention rather than simply responding to problems after they occur. The Trust is particularly interested in projects that are locally rooted, ambitious and capable of creating lasting change. Projects should tackle the underlying causes of vulnerability and help people build greater resilience over the long term. What Is the Purpose of the Funding? The funding aims to support new pilot projects that can make a significant contribution to reducing poverty and preventing homelessness. The Trust is looking for initiatives that: - Address the root causes of poverty. - Prevent homelessness before it occurs. - Strengthen long-term resilience. - Provide practical and innovative solutions. - Involve people with lived experience in project design and delivery. - Create opportunities for people with lived experience to develop skills and careers. - Have potential to grow and sustain their impact over five years and beyond. The focus is therefore on preventative approaches that can create lasting improvements rather than short-term interventions. Focus on Prevention Prevention is a central theme of the Edward Holt Trust’s funding. Projects should aim to identify and address factors that can push people into poverty or homelessness before those problems become more severe. Applicants should explain how their proposed pilot will address vulnerability at its roots and how early intervention can contribute to improved long-term outcomes. Involvement of People With Lived Experience The Trust places strong emphasis on involving people who have personally experienced poverty or homelessness. Projects must be shaped with input from people with lived experience and should ensure that their perspectives directly influence the initiative. This means lived experience should be incorporated into the development and implementation of the project rather than being treated simply as a source of consultation. Paid Opportunities for People With Lived Experience A specific requirement is that projects include paid employment, training, skills or career-development opportunities for colleagues with lived experience. These opportunities are intended to ensure that people most affected by poverty or homelessness can take an active role in delivering solutions.

Applicants should clearly explain:

- What paid roles or opportunities will be created. - What training or skills development will be provided. - How colleagues with lived experience will contribute to project delivery. - How the project can support longer-term career development. Design and Delivery With Lived Experience The Trust expects people with lived experience to be directly involved in both the design and delivery of the initiative. This approach can help ensure that the proposed intervention responds to real-world needs and reflects the experiences of people affected by poverty and homelessness. Applicants should demonstrate how lived-experience colleagues will have meaningful responsibilities and influence within the project. Ambitious and Practical Pilot Projects The Trust is looking for projects that combine ambition with practical implementation. Applicants are encouraged to propose bold approaches that can test new ways of tackling poverty or homelessness while producing evidence that can inform longer-term development. The pilot should have a clear rationale and demonstrate why the proposed approach has the potential to create meaningful change. Long-Term Sustainability The Trust is particularly interested in projects that can grow and sustain their impact over five years and beyond. Applicants should therefore think beyond the initial funding period and explain how the project could develop into a sustainable model.

This may include demonstrating:

- How the pilot can expand. - How successful approaches can be sustained. - How additional resources or partnerships could be developed. - How the project can build long-term organisational or community capacity. - How the initiative can continue benefiting people after Trust funding reduces. Expected Multi-Year Funding The Trust expects to make a substantial multi-year commitment.

Funding is likely to be around:

- £200,000 per year - For up to five years - Potential total of approximately £1 million over five years if funding remained at that level - More than one organisation may potentially be supported - Funding may taper in later years to encourage sustainability The exact funding commitment may vary depending on the projects selected. Who Can Apply? The funding is open to eligible charities operating in Greater Manchester.

Applicants would normally need to:

- Operate within 15 miles of Manchester city centre. - Normally have annual income below £1.5 million. - Propose a new project. - Focus on prevention. - Develop the project in partnership with people with lived experience. - Demonstrate potential for long-term impact. The Trust may make exceptions to the