Philip Gower Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Information not publicly available
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (selective, relationship-based funding)
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified (relationship-based approach)
• Grant Range: £53,000 documented (significant capital grants for buildings also provided)
• Geographic Focus: Jersey, Channel Islands
• Application Method: Through Jersey Funders Group or direct approach

Contact Details

• Website: pgf.org.je
• Email: info@pgf.org.je
• Alternative Website: philipgowercharitablefoundation.org
• Jersey Funders Group: jerseyfunders@gmail.com (for initial enquiries)

Overview

The Philip Gower Charitable Foundation was established by Jersey businessman and philanthropist Philip Gower OBE, who was awarded his OBE in 2017 in recognition of his charitable work helping underprivileged and vulnerable children. The Foundation operates as a charitable organization providing both premises and operational funding to established children's charities in Jersey. The Foundation takes a distinctive approach by not only providing financial support but also acquiring and converting buildings for charitable use, including converting a hotel into accommodation for care-leavers and providing purpose-built facilities like The Gower Centre for NSPCC Jersey. The Foundation focuses exclusively on improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in Jersey through long-term partnerships with established charities. Philip Gower is a member of the Jersey Funders Group, a collaborative network of charitable foundations supporting Jersey charities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation provides two main types of support:

• Capital Grants: Building acquisition and conversion (amounts not disclosed, but includes purchasing and converting entire buildings such as hotels)
• Operational Funding: Multi-year operational support for programs (documented example: £53,000 for 3,500 hours of specialist support)
• Seed Funding: Initial funding to establish new programs in partnership with other funders

Priority Areas

Core Focus:

• Disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people
• Child protection and safeguarding
• Care-leavers (young people transitioning out of care system)
• Children with disabilities and special educational needs
• Family support services for families with seriously ill children
• Mental health support for children and adolescents
• Youth homelessness and housing insecurity
• Outdoor and adventure experiences for disadvantaged youth

Established Partners Include:

• NSPCC Jersey (child sexual abuse services - operating from The Gower Centre)
• Barnardo's Jersey (care-leavers support and accommodation)
• Jersey Child Care Trust (special needs inclusion in mainstream nurseries)
• Grace Trust (support for underprivileged people including Grace 18 youth employment program)
• Mind Jersey (early intervention mental health services for young people)
• Jersey Cares (supporting people with care experience)
• Family First (supporting families of seriously ill children)
• Bosdet Adventures (outdoor experiences for disadvantaged children)
• Outward Bound Trust (personal development programs)
• AllMatters Neurodiverse Jersey (neurodiversity support)

What They Don't Fund

Based on the Foundation's narrow focus, funding is unlikely for:

• Organizations outside Jersey
• Causes not focused on children and young people
• General appeals or annual fundraising campaigns
• Projects not working with disadvantaged or vulnerable populations
• Organizations without established track records

Ready to write a winning application for Philip Gower Charitable 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

Philip Gower OBE - Founder and Chair

Philip Gower is a businessman and philanthropist who moved to Jersey in 1981. He is the founder and chairman of Rockmount Capital, which owns Antler Homes in Jersey and the UK. He was awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours List 2017/2018 for his charitable work.

Funding Philosophy:

Philip Gower has expressed concern about care-leavers, stating: “Care-leavers, often in their mid-teens, are expected to stand on their own two feet because at the end of their tenure they are literally waved goodbye to – but these are still children, they have not known the same love and support that someone growing up in a family would have done.” This quote reflects the Foundation's commitment to supporting vulnerable young people transitioning to independence.

The Foundation takes an active advisory role, working collaboratively with charities to identify service gaps and develop new initiatives. For example, the Foundation suggested that Grace Trust expand their work to serve young people, leading to the creation of the Grace 18 program.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Philip Gower Charitable Foundation does not appear to accept unsolicited applications through an open grant program. Instead, they work through:

Option 1: Jersey Funders Group

The Foundation is a member of the Jersey Funders Group. Charities can:

• Send an email enquiry to jerseyfunders@gmail.com including:
• Charity name
• Amount requested
• Explanation of what the money is for
• Statement of who will benefit and how
• Charity status
• Enquiries are circulated to all JFG members
• Individual funders wishing to support will contact the applicant directly

Option 2: Direct Approach

• Contact the Foundation directly at info@pgf.org.je
• Given the Foundation's focus on long-term partnerships with established charities, initial contact should demonstrate established track record and alignment with the Foundation's priorities

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified. The Foundation appears to operate on a relationship-based model with multi-year commitments to partners rather than annual grant cycles.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The Foundation works with a select portfolio of established children's charities in Jersey, suggesting a highly selective, relationship-based approach rather than competitive grant-making.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the Foundation appears to maintain ongoing relationships with partner charities rather than operating on an application/reapplication cycle.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment:

• Must focus on disadvantaged or vulnerable children and young people in Jersey
• Preference for established charities with proven track records
• Strong alignment with specific areas: child protection, care-leavers, special needs, mental health, family support

Partnership Approach:

• The Foundation seeks collaborative relationships, not just grant recipients
• They provide strategic advice and help identify service gaps
• They're willing to make significant, long-term commitments including capital investments
• Example: Working with Barnardo's UK to bring their services to Jersey

Demonstrable Impact:

• Clear articulation of who will benefit and how
• Specific, measurable outcomes (e.g., 3,500 hours of specialist support)
• Focus on children who face significant disadvantage or vulnerability

Infrastructure and Premises:

• The Foundation has particular interest in projects requiring premises or physical infrastructure
• They have purchased and converted multiple buildings for charitable purposes
• May be particularly receptive to proposals where appropriate premises would unlock service delivery

Recent Funded Projects:

• £53,000 to Jersey Child Care Trust for Special Needs Inclusion Programme (3,500 hours of support)
• Seed funding for SPORTS ACCESS Programme (with Barry Burns Foundation)
• Building conversion for Barnardo's care-leavers accommodation
• Provision of The Gower Centre building to NSPCC Jersey
• Property provision to Grace Trust in St. Helier

Key Success Factor:

Given the Foundation's selective, relationship-based approach, the most effective route may be building a relationship over time, potentially through the Jersey Funders Group, and demonstrating strong alignment with the Foundation's core mission of helping disadvantaged children.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Relationship-focused: This is not an open grant-maker - they maintain a portfolio of established partners. Initial contact should focus on relationship-building rather than submitting a standard application.

• Jersey-only focus: The Foundation exclusively supports Jersey-based charities serving children in Jersey, with very limited international giving to organizations like Orbis and Sightsavers.

• Think long-term and big picture: The Foundation makes substantial, multi-year commitments and major capital investments - they're looking for transformational partnerships, not project grants.

• Care-leavers are a priority: The Foundation has demonstrated particular commitment to supporting young people transitioning out of care, recognizing they face unique challenges.

• Capital needs may be advantageous: Unlike many funders, this Foundation actively seeks opportunities to provide buildings and premises - if your project needs infrastructure, this could be attractive.

• Use Jersey Funders Group as entry point: The collaborative JFG approach provides a lower-risk way to introduce your organization to the Foundation rather than cold outreach.

• Demonstrate established credentials: All publicly documented partners are established, well-known charities - emerging organizations may find it difficult to access this funder.

References

• Bailiwick Express (2018). "Two islanders recognised in Queen's New Year Honours List." Available at: https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/jsy/news/two-jersey-residents-have-been-recognised-queens-new-year-2018-honours-list/ (Accessed: 31 October 2025)

• Jersey Evening Post (31 December 2017). "Trio awarded New Year's Honours." Available at: https://jerseyeveningpost.com/uncategorised/2017/12/31/trio-awarded-new-years-honours/ (Accessed: 31 October 2025)

• Philip Gower Foundation website. Available at: https://pgf.org.je/ (Accessed: 31 October 2025)

• Philip Gower Charitable Foundation website. Available at: https://www.philipgowercharitablefoundation.org/ (Accessed: 31 October 2025)

• Jersey Child Care Trust. “Donation helps children with disabilities go to nursery.” Available at: https://jcct.org.je/charitable-donation/ (Accessed: 31 October 2025)

• Jersey Cares. “Philip Gower, Philip Gower Charitable Foundation.” Available at: https://jerseycares.je/quotes/philip-gower-philip-gower-charitable-foundation/ (Accessed: 31 October 2025)

• Association of Jersey Charities. “Applying to the Jersey Funders Group.” Available at: https://www.jerseycharities.org/grants/applying-to-the-jersey-funders-group (Accessed: 31 October 2025)

• Philip S Gower Business Profile. Available at: https://www.psgower.com/ (Accessed: 31 October 2025)