Phyllis Harney Trust

The Phyllis Harney Trust is a charitable endowment established in 2007 following the wishes of Mrs. Phyllis Fountain Harney from Keswick, Cumbria, and formally registered as a UK charity in January 2008. Managed by a small group of volunteer trustees with no paid staff, it operates leanly on investment income to relieve financial hardship among individuals and families in West Cumbria. Its mission centers on providing direct grants for essential items, services, or facilities to alleviate poverty, emphasizing practical, case-by-case support without thematic restrictions like health, education, or arts—purely responsive to local needs.

The Trust funds only individuals facing financial hardship in West Cumbria, offering modest one-off grants for immediate relief rather than ongoing support, projects, or programs. Beneficiaries are typically identified through referrals from local professionals, agencies, or community partners, ensuring targeted aid to those in genuine need.

Eligibility is strictly limited to West Cumbria residents; charities, organizations, and non-residents are ineligible, with no income thresholds or entity requirements specified. Unsolicited applications are not accepted—cases are assessed internally by trustees on a rolling basis with no deadlines or formal processes.

Typical grants range from £100 to £500, awarded promptly upon referral review. Distinctively, the Trust avoids organizational funding, core costs, or capital projects, maintaining unwavering fidelity to its founder's vision of individual poverty relief in West Cumbria, as evidenced by consistent annual reports and governance documents.