PFC Trust

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

Typical grants: £1,000 – £10,000
Where they fund: Hartlepool, North East England
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Online form

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

Get a draft in 2 minutes · no card

About PFC Trust

The PFC Trust is a grant-making charity founded by Patrick and Frances Connolly to give back to Hartlepool and North East England, where they lived for 25 years. Its core mission is to improve lives and life chances across the region by empowering communities, fostering partnerships, and promoting self-sufficiency through capacity building, training, and direct funding. Rooted in values of empowerment, community-led development, and highlighting positive regional aspects, the Trust adopts a catalytic approach that helps people help themselves, blending founder-led personal philanthropy with responsive local knowledge.

What PFC Trust funds

The Trust funds broad community-focused initiatives, including health and wellbeing (such as dementia support), sport (especially in Hartlepool), early years education, mental health transformation, general community projects, and social inclusion efforts. Support covers project funding, core costs, capital grants, scholarships, and capacity building for grassroots groups addressing local needs, with emphasis on sustainable impact. Grants are directed to organisations based in or serving Hartlepool and the wider North East England.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, community groups, or social enterprises based in or serving Hartlepool and the wider North East England. The Trust shows a preference for small, grassroots organisations with strong local partnerships and evidence of impact. There are no religious restrictions. Only organisations may apply; individuals are not eligible.

What PFC Trust doesn't fund

The Trust avoids projects that are not local or community-led, prioritising initiatives driven by the communities they serve. It does not support work that does not align with its focus on empowerment and self-sufficiency.

How they like to fund

The Trust adopts a flexible and personal approach, blending founder-led philanthropy with responsive local knowledge. It accepts unsolicited applications and provides a range of funding types including project grants, core costs, capital grants, scholarships, and capacity building support. The emphasis is on sustainable impact and helping communities help themselves.

How much does PFC 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.