Pilgrim Trust

The Pilgrim Trust, established in 1930 by American philanthropist Edward S. Harkness with a £2 million endowment, is an independent UK grant-making charity dedicated to addressing pressing social needs and preserving cultural heritage for public benefit. Inspired by post-WWI and Depression-era challenges, it upholds values of stewardship, adaptability, collaboration, and accessibility, blending practical social innovation with heritage guardianship to enhance vulnerable lives and safeguard Britain's past through evidence-informed, flexible funding.

It prioritises two themes: mental health support for young women aged 16-25 via the "Young Women in Mind" programme, funding holistic, trauma-informed services, research, advocacy, and sector development; and Preservation and Conservation, supporting repairs, access improvements, and public engagement for at-risk buildings, objects, collections, art, and archives UK-wide. Grants back projects like church restorations, archive programmes, and youth mental health interventions by charities, faith bodies, and cultural organisations, including staff costs, capital works, and capacity-building, but not unrestricted core funding.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, CICs (limited by guarantee), exempt charities, public bodies, or Community Benefit Societies; "Young Women in Mind" requires £100,000–£1 million annual income and three years' track record, targeting Northern Ireland, North East/North West England, and Yorkshire & Humber (2025; regions vary yearly). Preservation is open UK-wide (excluding Channel Islands/Isle of Man) with no strict size limits. Applications start with an eligibility quiz or initial contact, progressing via EOI to full proposals on Flexigrant; small grants ≤£5,000 decided in ~4 weeks, larger ones quarterly (March/June/Sept/Nov, 2025 cut-offs: 10 Jan, 18 Apr, 1 Aug, 3 Oct). Typical awards: £1,000–£30,000 (avg. £15,000) for Preservation; £20,000–£30,000/year over 3 years for mental health (~£3m total annually). No retrospective funding; distinct for pioneering partnerships with lived-experience experts and nationwide heritage impact.