GrantRadar

The PenCarrie Foundation

PenCarrie Foundation Thrive Programme

Grants from the PenCarrie Foundation, funded by the Mid-Devon clothing wholesaler PenCarrie Ltd, for charities and not-for-profit organisations working with children and young people aged 0 to 21 across Devon, and their families. Grants can be for projects, core or unrestricted running costs, or capital, and range from a few hundred pounds up to £25,000 (typically £2,000 to £25,000), currently as single payments. Work with children facing poverty, rural isolation, mental health challenges, family stress, educational barriers or limited opportunities is prioritised. The application is written for small organisations without bid writers: plain English, no formal research needed.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£2,000 – £25,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Organisations working with children and young people aged 0 to 21 in Devon, and their families, for work taking place in Devon
  • The applicant must be a UK registered charity or Charitable Incorporated Organisation; a not-for-profit organisation such as a social enterprise, Community Interest Company or cooperative with an asset lock or other mechanism to protect against private gain; or an exempt charity
  • It must have a governing document (publicly available through the Charity Commission or Companies House, or supplied to the Foundation), a bank account in the organisation's name, trustees, directors or a management committee of at least three unrelated people, and an up-to-date safeguarding policy for working with children and young people
  • Start-ups can apply if they can show the need and that their plans are realistic, safe and viable
  • Faith-based groups are eligible if the work benefits the wider community and does not promote religious doctrine
  • Schools can apply only for work beyond their statutory duties (e.g. wellbeing, extracurricular or enrichment activity)
  • Individuals cannot apply
  • Usually one application at a time, and applicants must wait at least one year from the date of an application before applying again, whether or not it succeeded

What it funds

  • Project grants – to fund specific activities, services or initiatives
  • Core or unrestricted grants – to support the general running costs of an organisation
  • Capital grants – towards physical assets such as buildings, equipment or other practical items
  • Examples of the kind of work we may fund include:
  • Family and caregiver support - Parenting programmes, family support services, respite care, and related assistance
  • Learning and development - Early years and school readiness initiatives, academic support and catch-up programmes, STEM and digital skills development, and alternative education provision
  • Practical support - Access to essentials such as food, baby supplies, clothing, technology, transport, and equipment
  • Health and wellbeing - Counselling and therapeutic services, peer support, and opportunities for physical activity and healthy lifestyles
  • Employment pathways - Vocational training and apprenticeships, work preparation and experience schemes & youth enterprise
  • Community and inclusion - Youth clubs and enrichment activities, rural outreach and mobile services, and programmes promoting cultural inclusion and belonging
  • Specialist Support - Services for particularly vulnerable groups (e.g. young carers, care-experienced or homeless young people), crisis intervention, advocacy, and substance misuse support

This list is not exhaustive. The Foundation is particularly interested in work supporting children, young people and families facing additional barriers: poverty or low household income, rural isolation, family stress or adverse childhood experiences, special educational needs or disabilities, care experience, caring responsibilities, mental health challenges, school exclusion or low attendance, homelessness or insecure housing, and limited access to opportunities.

What it will not fund

  • Applications that are not submitted through the online form (no post or email applications)
  • Organisations or activities that are not legally charitable
  • Activities that do not benefit children and young people aged 0 to 21, and/or their families
  • Work taking place outside Devon
  • Activities that have already taken place
  • Activities that are primarily the responsibility of statutory authorities
  • Activities that benefit only one person
  • Activities focused on the advancement of religion
  • Individuals

How to apply

  1. Read the application guidelines and FAQs
  2. Complete the eligibility quiz on the website; if your answers show you are eligible you move automatically to the application form
  3. Complete every field of the online application form (about your organisation, the children, young people and families you support, the work, why it is needed, the difference it will make, how you will know, your experience and approach, and the budget and timescale); you have 30 days from starting to submit
  4. Upload your attachments and submit; apply by 3 January 2027 for the trustees' meeting on 25 January 2027 (later applications are considered in April)
  5. The Foundation checks eligibility and fit, and may ask for more information, a call or a visit
  6. Trustees decide at their quarterly meeting; if successful, complete the online Bank Details Form, upload a recent bank statement or paying-in slip and accept the standard terms and conditions

Trustees meet quarterly, typically in January, April, July and October, and each application window usually closes 2–3 weeks before the meeting. For work with a firm start date, apply at least four months before it begins.

No detailed feedback is given to unsuccessful applicants, as the Foundation has no dedicated staff team.

Have ready

  • Latest inspected or audited accounts, if available
  • A simple project budget or organisational budget
  • Safeguarding policy

Optional extras such as evaluations, case studies, impact reports, annual reviews, research or feedback from children, young people or families can also be uploaded.

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