P H Holt Foundation

Charity Number: 1113708

Annual Expenditure: £0.6M
Geographic Focus: Knowsley, Liverpool City, Sefton, St Helens, Wirral

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Quick Stats

  • Total Distributed: £4 million through 1,000 grants over the past decade
  • Annual Giving: Up to £600,000 per year
  • Decision Time: Up to 12 weeks from quarterly deadline
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000
  • Geographic Focus: Merseyside (Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Wirral)

Contact Details

Address: 151 Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2AH

Phone: 0151 237 2663 (available Wednesday to Friday)

Email: administrator@phholtfoundation.org.uk / grants@phholtfoundation.org.uk

Website: www.phholtfoundation.org.uk

Pre-Application Support: The foundation encourages small or medium-sized registered charities to call for an informal discussion before applying.

Overview

The PH Holt Foundation was established in 2006 to continue the charitable legacy of Philip Henry Holt and Alfred Holt, who founded the Ocean Steam Ship Company Ltd. (Blue Funnel Line) in 1866. The brothers were keen philanthropists who established many of Liverpool's most cherished educational and arts institutions. The foundation commenced grant-making activity on 1 April 2007, with a mission of “Creating a better future for communities on Merseyside.” The foundation has distributed £4 million through 1,000 grants over the past decade, awarding grants totaling up to £600,000 annually. The foundation is especially interested in supporting small and medium-sized organisations that are actively engaged in their communities, conscious of the challenges faced, and seeking to bring about positive change in the Merseyside region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £1,000 - £10,000

  • Rolling applications accepted throughout the year
  • Decisions made quarterly in early April, July, October, and January
  • Grants normally for one year
  • No standard amount; trustees consider each application on its merit
  • Particular interest in smaller grassroots organisations that find it difficult to attract funds

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on five key themes:

  1. Engaging with Community - Projects that actively involve local people and address community-identified needs
  2. Enabling People to Overcome Barriers - Supporting vulnerable groups including homeless people, those with disabilities, and individuals facing social exclusion
  3. Widening Access to Learning - Educational initiatives, student bursaries, and programmes that improve skills and knowledge
  4. Involving Excluded Groups in the Arts - Arts programmes that reach disability communities, young people, and underrepresented groups
  5. Encouraging Care of the Environment - Environmental education, wildlife conservation, composting, and sustainability projects

Sectors supported include:

  • Community development
  • Education and training
  • Arts and culture
  • Heritage preservation
  • Environmental programmes
  • Social welfare

What They Don't Fund

  • Retrospective funding (activities or projects that have already started or been completed)
  • Organisations not headquartered in Merseyside
  • Charities with annual income over £1 million
  • Organisations not registered with the Charity Commission or without at least 12 months of operation with full accounts
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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees who bring wide experience and expertise in matters of governance, strategy, and investment management. They are closely involved in setting grant-making policy and deciding which charities receive funding. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Current trustees (based on Charity Commission data for 2024-2026) include:

  • Elspeth Christie (Chair, appointed 2012, Solicitor)
  • Andrew James Cross (Consultant, appointed 2024)
  • Barbara McDonough (Director, appointed 2024)
  • Caroline Elizabeth Grant (Chief Executive, appointed 2024)
  • Deborah Anne Mills-burns (Chief Commercial Officer, appointed 2024)
  • Ian David Matthews (Retired, appointed 2014)
  • John David Sacker (appointed 2024)
  • Ken Ravenscroft (Board Member, appointed 2012, Retired)
  • Lesley Carol Martin-wright (Chief Executive, appointed 2016)
  • Michael Stuart Furniss (IT Consultant, appointed 2018)
  • Neil Patrick Turner (Office Head, appointed 2024)

The foundation emphasises: “The Foundation is devoted to assisting small and medium-sized Merseyside charities in navigating the difficult times ahead.”

How to Apply to P H Holt Foundation

How to Apply

  1. Download the Holt Main Grant Application form from www.phholtfoundation.org.uk
  2. Review full terms and conditions and application criteria on the form
  3. Consider calling for an informal discussion (encouraged for small and medium-sized charities): 0151 237 2663
  4. Complete the application form
  5. Submit by email to grants@phholtfoundation.org.uk (postal submissions not accepted)

Decision Timeline

  • Applications accepted: At any time (rolling basis)
  • Decision rounds: Four times per year in early April, July, October, and January
  • Assessment period: Up to 12 weeks from the relevant quarterly deadline
  • Notification: Via email
  • Planning note: Plan well in advance of your activity or project starting, as retrospective funding is not available

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed. Details are included in the full terms and conditions on the application form. Applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation for an informal discussion, which suggests a supportive approach to reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of foundation guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

Clear Community Need: The foundation looks for organisations that "have a clear case for support and provide solutions recognised to improve people's lives." Applications should demonstrate direct response to identified community needs.

Active Community Engagement: The foundation emphasises supporting “organisations that are actively engaged in their communities, are conscious of the challenges faced, and seek to bring about positive change.”

Measurable Outcomes: Applications should be “focused upon improvement and measuring success.” Clearly articulate how you will track and demonstrate the impact of grant funding.

Added Value: Demonstrate “where a PH Holt grant would add value and make a difference.” This is particularly important for smaller organisations where funding can have significant impact.

Alignment with Priority Themes: Successful projects clearly align with one or more of the five priority themes: Engaging with Community, Enabling People to Overcome Barriers, Widening Access to Learning, Involving Excluded Groups in the Arts, and Encouraging Care of the Environment.

Appropriate Organisation Size: The foundation has “a particular interest in smaller grass roots organisations that find it difficult to attract funds.” Being a small to medium-sized charity (under £1 million income) with genuine funding challenges works in your favour.

Pre-Application Engagement: The foundation encourages informal discussions before applying, suggesting they value relationship-building and want to help applicants submit strong proposals.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Target the right grant size: Grants range from £1,000 to £10,000. Trustees assess each on merit, so request what you genuinely need within this range.
  • Emphasise your Merseyside roots: You must be headquartered in one of the five Merseyside boroughs (Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Wirral) and deliver services there.
  • Highlight grassroots credentials: If you're a smaller organisation (well under the £1 million threshold) that struggles to attract funding, emphasise this. It's an advantage, not a weakness.
  • Plan ahead for quarterly deadlines: With up to 12 weeks for assessment, apply at least 4-5 months before you need the funding. Retrospective funding is impossible.
  • Call before applying: The foundation actively encourages informal discussions. Use this opportunity to test your idea, ask questions, and build a relationship.
  • Be specific about community impact: Show you understand local challenges and have solutions that work. Use data and evidence about Merseyside communities.
  • Demonstrate measurement approach: Explain clearly how you will track success and measure outcomes. This is explicitly valued by trustees.
  • Align with their legacy: Understanding the foundation's roots in Liverpool's philanthropic shipping heritage and their commitment to the region can inform your tone and approach.

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