Harrison Foundation

The Harrison Foundation, a privately-run charitable company established over two decades ago by Sir David Harrison, Lady Sylvia Harrison, and their family, drives measurable, lasting societal impact through practical, entrepreneurial philanthropy. Rooted in Sir David's business background, it bypasses bureaucracy and intermediaries to directly fund projects tackling barriers to opportunity and enhancing life chances, with a strong emphasis on outcomes, long-term partnerships, and legacy-building. Its hands-on, trustee-led approach—featuring site visits and active engagement—prioritises social mobility, education, healthcare, youth development, financial literacy, digital upskilling, and community initiatives, especially for disadvantaged young people, those with learning or health challenges, and North East England communities, while extending to England, Wales, and select international efforts like a centre in Antigua and Barbuda.

Funding supports education (school partnerships, SEN provision, digital skills), social mobility (employment pathways, vocational training), healthcare (hospices, equipment, specialist care), youth programmes (leadership, sports, creativity), and community hubs, via project grants, core costs, capital builds, multi-year skills initiatives, and equipment. Eligible entities include UK-registered charities and community groups of any size—grassroots to national—with no income thresholds or geographic base required, though North East projects are favoured for UK-wide impact.

Grants typically range from £10,000 to £100,000, with annual giving of £620,000–£1 million, but applications are strictly invite-only via trustee networks, with no public forms, deadlines, or unsolicited submissions. Decisions follow adhoc meetings year-round. Distinctively, it shuns short-term or low-impact grants, favouring innovative, transformational projects with proven metrics over administrative-heavy proposals, setting it apart as a selective partner for enduring change in education, health, and advancement.