Pilgrim Trust
About This Funder
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.
Eligibility Checklist
Funding Details
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does Pilgrim Trust provide?
Pilgrim Trust typically provides grants ranging from £1,000 - £30,000.
Where does Pilgrim Trust fund charities?
Pilgrim Trust funds charities operating in UK.
How do I apply for funding from Pilgrim Trust?
With Fundermatcher, you describe your charity once and see your compatibility score with Pilgrim Trust. If you're a good fit, you can start drafting your application immediately using our AI co-pilot — paste each question and word limit, and the co-pilot writes a tailored first draft using your charity's real data and Pilgrim Trust's priorities. You review and edit every answer before submitting.
Will funders know my application was drafted with AI?
No. The co-pilot uses your charity's real name, numbers, and impact data — not generic filler or templates. Every draft reads like it was written by someone who knows your charity inside-out, because it's built on your actual profile. You edit and refine every word before it goes anywhere, so the final application sounds like you — because it is.
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