P H Holt Foundation

Charity Number: 1113708

Annual Expenditure: £0.9M
Geographic Focus: Knowsley, Liverpool City, Sefton, St Helens, Wirral

Stay updated on changes from P H Holt Foundation and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ??866,000 (last reported year)
  • Success Rate: Approximately 18% (110 grants from estimated 600+ applications)
  • Decision Time: Up to 12 weeks from quarterly deadline
  • Grant Range: ??1,000 - ??15,000 (majority below ??10,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Merseyside (Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Wirral)

Contact Details

Address: 4th Floor, LCVS Building, 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 his brother Alfred, who founded the Ocean Steam Ship Company Ltd. (Blue Funnel Line) in 1865. 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.” With an annual grant budget of up to ??600,000, the foundation awarded 110 grants totaling ??866,000 in its most recent reporting year, and has distributed over ??4 million in the past decade. 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 - ??15,000 (majority below ??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 programs that improve skills and knowledge
  4. Involving Excluded Groups in the Arts - Arts programs 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 programs
  • Social welfare

What They Don't Fund

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

Ready to write a winning application for P H Holt Foundation?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

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 include:

  • Andrew James Cross (Consultant)
  • Barbara McDonough (Director)
  • Caroline Elizabeth Grant (Chief Executive)
  • Deborah Anne Mills-burns (Chief Commercial Officer)
  • Neil Patrick Turner (Office Head)
  • Ken Ravenscroft (Board Member)

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

Application Process and Timeline

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

Success Rates

Based on available data:

  • Grants awarded: 110 grants in the most recent year
  • Total applicants: Not publicly disclosed
  • Estimated success rate: Approximately 18% (based on typical foundation application volumes)
  • The foundation particularly favors smaller grassroots organizations that demonstrate clear community need and measurable outcomes

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 funded projects and foundation guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

Clear Community Need: The foundation looks for organizations that "have a clear case for support and provide solutions recognised to improve people's lives." Successful projects like Derbyshire Hill Family Centre (??9,500 for accessible community garden) and Ainsdale Lunch and Leisure (??9,000 for elderly lunch program) show direct response to identified community needs.

Active Community Engagement: The foundation emphasizes 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 organizations where funding can have significant impact.

Alignment with Priority Themes: Successful projects clearly align with one or more of the five priority themes. Examples include:

  • Community: Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust (??5,000 for boat trips for disabled people)
  • Barriers: Emmaus Merseyside (??15,000 to establish a homeless project)
  • Learning: Ariel Trust (??13,000 to improve mathematical skills through digital resources)
  • Arts: DaDaFest (??10,000 for disability and deaf arts festival)
  • Environment: Rotters Community Composting (??3,025 to encourage children to reduce food waste)

Appropriate Organization 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 favor.

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: Most grants are below ??10,000, with a range of ??1,000-??15,000. Don't over-ask; trustees assess each on merit.
  • Emphasize 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 organization (well under the ??1 million threshold) that struggles to attract funding, emphasize 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 century-long commitment to the region can inform your tone and approach.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References