Peter Harrison Foundation

The Peter Harrison Foundation, established in 1999 by self-made entrepreneur Peter Harrison after selling his business, is an independent UK grant-making charity dedicated to improving lives by creating opportunities for individuals facing physical, mental, social, or economic barriers. Rooted in the founder's belief in sport's transformative power and self-development, it upholds values of excellence, entrepreneurship, integrity, and sustainability, channeling endowed capital into targeted, evidence-based grants for lasting impact. Governed by the Harrison family with a small staff team, it emphasizes strategic investments in high-impact projects like the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport and ParalympicsGB.

It prioritizes two programmes: UK-wide "Opportunities through Sport" for disabled or disadvantaged people, advancing grassroots and elite disability sport, life skills, health, and independence; and regionally focused support in South East England (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex) for children and young people with special needs requiring additional care. Funding backs projects, capital, and core costs in inclusive education, sports clubs, and barrier-breaking initiatives for excluded communities, favouring centres of excellence with proven leadership and social impact.

Eligible applicants are strictly UK-registered charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) with at least two years' registration and audited accounts, preferring small-to-medium organizations (annual income under £5 million; smaller grants for under £500,000). Local branches of national charities need separate legal status or endorsement. Currently invite-only (closed to unsolicited applications since 2 April 2025 due to demand), it awards ad hoc strategic grants typically £5,000–£30,000 over 1–3 years, with no public deadlines—previously quarterly rounds. It excludes non-aligned activities, prioritizing sustainable empowerment over broad or unproven efforts, distinguishing itself through major disability sport philanthropy and regional youth care focus.