Peter Kershaw Trust

Could Peter Kershaw Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: £2,000 – £10,000
Where they fund: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan
Applications: Accepted
Decisions: Bi annually

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

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About Peter Kershaw Trust

The Peter Kershaw Trust is a grant-making charity established in 1974 by Peter Kershaw, then Chairman of Joseph Holt Brewery. Rooted in a tradition of local philanthropy, the Trust is committed to combating social disadvantage in Greater Manchester, with a strong focus on supporting small charities that are embedded in their communities. Trustees are particularly keen to hear from organisations seeking 'pump priming' funding for new work, and they prioritise impact-driven, impartial support for those most in need. The Trust funds a wide range of social welfare causes, including children and youth work, older people, disability, mental health, physical health, poverty and hardship, and addiction. Their grants support project delivery and core costs, with a special emphasis on youth leadership through the Peter Kershaw Memorial Bursary.

What Peter Kershaw Trust funds

The Trust funds work across Greater Manchester, specifically in the ten boroughs of Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan. They support a wide range of social welfare causes including children and youth work, older people, disability, mental health, physical health, poverty and hardship, and addiction. Grants can fund project delivery and core costs, and the Trust is particularly keen to support 'pump priming' for new work. The Peter Kershaw Memorial Bursary is intended to fund the costs of a youth leader, though other forms of youth work will be considered. The Trust also offers School Bursaries to assist parents with children at secondary school who encounter financial problems after the child has started.

Who can apply

Grant applicants must be registered charities. The Trust is particularly keen to help small charities in Greater Manchester, and applications from larger organisations are not eligible for ordinary grants. The Peter Kershaw Memorial Bursary also favours smaller charities. School Bursaries must be applied for by the school, not the individual. The Trust does not fund public bodies to carry out their statutory obligations, grant-making by other organisations, or privately owned and profit-distributing companies or limited partnerships.

What Peter Kershaw Trust doesn't fund

The Trust does not fund capital works, medical research, animal welfare, or faith-based activities. They also exclude grants for activities which have already taken place, grant-making by other organisations, and public bodies carrying out their statutory obligations. Privately owned and profit-distributing companies or limited partnerships are not supported.

How they like to fund

The Trust offers both one-off and multi-year grants, with multi-year funding possible for up to three years subject to conditions and annual review. The Peter Kershaw Memorial Bursary requires a firm shared element of funding beyond year one, indicating match funding is needed. The Trust welcomes unsolicited applications and gives special consideration to 'pump priming' requests for new work.

How much does Peter Kershaw Trust give?

Peter Kershaw Trust runs 3 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 61 sourced facts

Ordinary GrantsOpen to applications

Typically £2,500

Online application form
1 rounds a year

School BursariesCurrently closed

Up to £6,000

Online application form
1 rounds a year

The Peter Kershaw Memorial BursaryCurrently closed

Up to £30,000

Online application form
1 rounds a year
Multi-year funding
Match funding required

Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.

What Peter Kershaw Trust funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

Trustees are particularly keen to help small charities in the primary area of benefit (Greater Manchester). Applications for new work are welcome and the Trustees give special consideration for 'pump priming' requests.

Where they fund

BoltonBuryManchesterOldhamRochdaleSalfordStockportTamesideTraffordWigan

Costs they'll cover

Project deliverySalaries

They don't fund

AnimalsFaithCapital works & buildingsCICsCommunity benefit societiesIndividuals

The full exclusions list (7)

Grants outside the geographical area detailed above.
Grants for medical research.
Ordinary grant applications from organisations with an annual income of over £1,000,000.
Public bodies to carry out their statutory obligations.
Activities which have already taken place.
Grant-making by other organisations.
Privately owned and profit-distributing companies or limited partnerships.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Children & youthMental healthDisabilityOlder peoplePoverty & hardship

How to apply to Peter Kershaw Trust

Peter Kershaw Trust takes applications via online application form.

Decisions are typically bi annually.
Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

What Peter Kershaw Trust's application asks

We hold the 32 questions from Peter Kershaw Trust's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.

Question 1

“Charity Name:”

Question 2

“Address of Head Office:”

30 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.

How it works

1
Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
2
See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
3
Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if Peter Kershaw Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Peter Kershaw Trust provide?

Peter Kershaw Trust runs 3 grant programmes — Ordinary Grants: Typically £2,500 · School Bursaries: Up to £6,000 · The Peter Kershaw Memorial Bursary: Up to £30,000.

Where does Peter Kershaw Trust fund charities?

Peter Kershaw Trust funds charities operating in Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan.

Does Peter Kershaw Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Peter Kershaw Trust accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

What does Peter Kershaw Trust not fund?

Their published exclusions include: Grants outside the geographical area detailed above.; Grants for medical research.; Ordinary grant applications from organisations with an annual income of over £1,000,000.; Public bodies to carry out their statutory obligations.; Activities which have already taken place.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.

How do I apply for funding from Peter Kershaw Trust?

Peter Kershaw Trust takes applications via online application form. Decisions are typically bi annually.