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The PFC Trust

The PFC Trust General Grants

A Hartlepool charity, set up by lottery winners Patrick and Frances Connolly, that funds individuals, groups and organisations whose work benefits the people of Hartlepool and the surrounding area. Applications must meet one of its charitable objects, which range from education, the arts, amateur sport and the environment to respite care, young people, older people and relief of hardship. It does not normally fund organisations with income over £250,000, and requests over £10,000 need a business plan. The current General Grants round is open from 1 October to 28 November 2026.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Amount not specified
Deadline
41 days left
28 November
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Individuals, groups and organisations from anywhere in the UK, provided the purpose of the application is to benefit the people of Hartlepool or the surrounding area (the Trust's own site describes its reach as the North East)
  • The application form accepts registered charities, CICs, limited companies, sole traders, partnerships and unincorporated groups
  • Organisations with an annual income over £250,000 are not normally supported, and national charities only for a project in Hartlepool or the surrounding area
  • The applicant must have authority to apply on the beneficiary's behalf and provide photographic ID

What it funds

Projects benefiting the people of Hartlepool or the surrounding area that meet at least one of the Trust's charitable objects:

  • The advancement of education, including scholarships, maintenance allowances or grants for study, and travel in furtherance of education or preparation for an occupation
  • The advancement of the arts, including crafts, music, visual art, theatre, dance, literature and cinema
  • The advancement of amateur sport, promoting community participation in healthy recreation
  • The advancement of environmental protection and improvement
  • Respite services, community-based care attendants and holidays for people with physical, mental or sensory impairment or sickness and their carers
  • Recreational and leisure time activities and support that develop the skills and capabilities of young people
  • Relief of financial hardship, sickness and poor health amongst elderly people
  • Treatment and care of people with mental or physical illness or in need of rehabilitation, through facilities for work and recreation
  • Relief of financial hardship of people living in the area of Hartlepool and the surrounding areas

kit and uniform are funded only through a separate dedicated round once a year.

What it will not fund

  • Organisations with an annual income of more than £250,000 (not normally supported)
  • Applications over £10,000 unless a clear business plan and supporting evidence is provided
  • Uniform or kit on an ongoing basis (outside the annual kit round)
  • National charities, unless for a project in Hartlepool or the surrounding area
  • Promotion of religion
  • Political activity
  • Projects or causes involving animals
  • Activities that duplicate existing services
  • Personal debt
  • Capital build projects or large equipment purchases unless supported by a business plan and evidence
  • Personal equipment for individuals that can be sought from alternative sources such as the NHS
  • Initiatives that redistribute the funding as small grants
  • Organisations that did not comply with reporting on previous funding
  • Rent, mortgage, facilities costs and utilities
  • Staffing costs, wages and employment-related expenses, including salaries, pensions, national insurance and consultancy fees
  • A further application for the same project within 3 months of a previous application

How to apply

  1. Read the Grant Making Policy linked from the application page
  2. Check the Annual Funding Timetable for the open round (General Grants: 1 October to 28 November 2026)
  3. Complete the online application form: aim, organisation details, project description, community benefit, cost breakdown, other funding sources and safeguarding
  4. Upload photo ID and, where relevant, your safeguarding policy
  5. A nominated trustee or panel assesses the application and presents it to the board, which normally meets every two months; applicants are told the outcome within two weeks of the meeting

a response can take up to three months. Requests for donations under £100 can be made by contacting the Trust directly. Successful applicants must give quarterly written updates and a final report.

Have ready

  • Photo identification (valid driving licence or passport) of the person applying
  • The last 3 years of accounts (or, where not possible, a recent bank statement)
  • Safeguarding policy and procedures (if working with children, young people or vulnerable adults)

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