Paragon Trust

Could Paragon Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Typical grants: £1,000 – £10,000
Applications: Not accepted

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

Check fit free · no card

About Paragon Trust

The Paragon Trust is a privately funded charitable trust established in 1979, governed by a long-serving board of trustees with no paid staff or public fundraising. Its mission is to advance general charitable purposes through grant-making, drawing on investment income to support broad public benefit causes. The Trust emphasises trustee discretion and enduring, generalist support across varied charitable fields, prioritising stability and private stewardship over innovation or impact metrics. It funds unrestricted core costs and general-purpose activities for small to medium-sized charities operating anywhere in England and Wales, without thematic or geographic preferences.

What Paragon Trust funds

The Trust supports causes including social welfare, education, health, and poverty relief, but has no thematic restrictions or targeted sectors. It funds unrestricted core costs and general-purpose activities, allowing charities to use grants flexibly. The Trust shows no geographic, beneficiary group, or issue-based preferences, making it suitable for a wide variety of charitable efforts benefiting communities or individuals across England and Wales.

Who can apply

Eligibility is limited to UK-registered charities, with a preference for smaller-scale organisations but no strict income thresholds. The Trust occasionally also makes grants to individuals in need. It has no religious or faith restrictions, and no geographic or beneficiary group preferences. Charities delivering public benefit anywhere in England and Wales are considered.

What Paragon Trust doesn't fund

The Trust has no exclusions beyond legal charitable requirements. It does not restrict its funding to specific causes, regions, or beneficiary groups, and does not support non-charitable organisations or activities outside its legal charitable purposes.

How they like to fund

The Trust provides unrestricted core-cost grants to selected charities. It operates entirely by invitation, awarding grants at trustee discretion, and does not accept unsolicited approaches.

How much does Paragon Trust give?

£1,000 – £10,000

Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

EducationHealthPoverty & hardship

How to apply to Paragon Trust

Paragon Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.

A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.

What you can do here

1
Check fit. See if your project aligns with Paragon Trust.
2
Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
3
Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.

See if Paragon Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Paragon Trust provide?

Paragon Trust typically provides grants of £1,000 - £10,000.

Where does Paragon Trust fund charities?

Paragon Trust funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Paragon Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Paragon Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Paragon Trust?

Paragon Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.