The Halsall Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £116,689 (2024)
• Geographic Focus: Lancashire (also considers Merseyside, Manchester, and Cumbria)
• Charity Number: 1174779
• Founded: 2017
• Grant Types: Capital projects, revenue grants (including multi-year), start-up costs

Contact Details

Address: 19 Park Street, Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire, FY8 5LU

Phone: 07912993562

Email: application@thehalsallfoundation.org

Website: www.thehalsallfoundation.org (Note: Website appears to be currently unavailable as of January 2026)

Overview

The Halsall Foundation was established in 2017 by Lancashire businessman Alan Halsall, former owner and chairman of Silver Cross, the iconic British pram company. The Foundation's primary purpose is to support charities across Lancashire helping them achieve their objectives. With total expenditure of £116,689 in 2024, the Foundation makes grants to deserving registered charities and not-for-profit organizations in Lancashire. The Foundation's grant-making approach is driven by the perceived difference that support will make to the organization, project, and targeted beneficiaries, reflecting founder Alan Halsall's background in businesses involving young people. The Foundation is particularly keen to help medium-sized organizations which can offer sustainable and effective help to those seeking benefit.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation provides flexible funding through:

• Capital Projects: Single awards for capital costs
• Project Funding: Start-up and/or ongoing running costs for specific projects
• Core Funding: Multi-year revenue grants for organizational sustainability

The type, size, and time period of awards are decided on the basis of the perceived 'difference' that support will make to the organization, to the project, and to the targeted beneficiaries.

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

• Organizations helping children and families
• Support for the elderly
• Services for disabled people
• Assistance for the socially isolated

Key Preferences:

• 'Hands-on' organizations with a high volunteer input
• Medium-sized organizations offering sustainable and effective help
• Work that has a positive effect on welfare and quality of life
• Programs that expand opportunities and life choices for young people in the region

Geographic Scope:

• Primary focus: Lancashire
• Also considers: Merseyside, Manchester, and Cumbria

What They Don't Fund

• Animal welfare
• Arts/heritage
• Conservation/environment
• Expeditions and overseas travel
• General fundraising appeals
• Individual and sports sponsorship
• National charities and large organizations
• Local branches of national charities based within Lancashire
• Programs delivered locally by organizations working on a national basis
• Mainstream education/mainstream sport
• Promotion of specific religions

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Foundation is governed by four trustees:

1. David Alan Halsall - Chair
2. Dr. Richard William Reed
3. John Robert Dean - Also a trustee of Emmaus Preston
4. Philip Arthur John Garside - Trustee of other foundations

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Founder Background

Alan Halsall qualified as a lawyer but left to take over the family toy company. In 2002, he purchased Silver Cross (the famous pram company) out of administration and served as Chairman and sole shareholder from 2006 until it was sold in 2015, building it into a quality British brand with turnover exceeding £20 million. The businesses in which Alan was involved tended to involve young people, and the Foundation, though not exclusively, is keen to support the younger generation.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation has an online application process. Applicants should:

1. Consider eligibility - Ensure your organization and project meet the criteria
2. Read application guidelines - Review funding policy carefully
3. Apply online - Submit application through the Foundation's website (when operational)

Note: The Foundation's website (www.thehalsallfoundation.org) appears to be currently unavailable. Contact the Foundation directly via email or phone for current application procedures.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Requirements:

• Generally, organizations must have been in existence for a minimum of two years
• Must be able to produce audited accounts for the same period
• Start-up costs for new projects will be considered even for newer organizations
• Though most recipients are registered charities, other not-for-profit organizations pursuing charitable causes will be considered

Geographic Requirements:

• Only applications from charities, organizations, and projects based in Lancashire will be considered for funding
• Operates exclusively within Lancashire (with consideration for Merseyside, Manchester, and Cumbria)

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. Contact the Foundation directly for information about trustee meeting schedules and decision timeframes.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated priorities and preferences, successful applications will likely demonstrate:

1. Clear Impact: The Foundation decides awards based on the perceived 'difference' support will make to the organization, project, and targeted beneficiaries. Applications should clearly articulate the tangible impact funding will have.

1. Volunteer Engagement: Preference is given to 'hands-on' organizations with a high volunteer input. Emphasize volunteer involvement and community engagement in your application.

1. Medium-Sized Organizations: The Foundation is particularly keen to help medium-sized organizations. Large national charities and their local branches are generally not supported, and very small organizations may be less competitive.

1. Sustainable and Effective Help: The Foundation seeks organizations that can offer sustainable and effective help to those seeking benefit. Demonstrate your organization's track record and sustainability plan.

1. Simplicity and Clarity: The Foundation asks applicants to “keep it simple and avoid the use of technical terms, acronyms and jargon.” Do not send booklets, copies of organizational policies, or electronic media such as DVDs or CDs.

1. Full Funding Picture: Applicants should tell the Foundation “the full extent of the funding you really need to achieve your aims and objectives” so they can assess how best to contribute.

1. Focus on Priority Groups: Applications supporting children and families, the elderly, disabled people, or the socially isolated align with the Foundation's core mission.

1. Local Impact: The Foundation operates exclusively within Lancashire. Demonstrate strong local roots and impact within Lancashire communities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Foundation prioritizes impact over process - focus your application on the tangible difference funding will make to beneficiaries
• Emphasize volunteer involvement and community engagement as the Foundation gives preference to 'hands-on' organizations
• Keep applications simple, clear, and jargon-free - avoid unnecessary documentation
• Medium-sized local organizations are the sweet spot - national charities and large organizations are generally not supported
• Multi-year funding is available, making this an attractive option for core costs and organizational sustainability
• Be transparent about full funding needs rather than requesting partial amounts
• The Foundation remains flexible in its funding policy, so strong applications that align with the mission may be considered even if they don't fit perfectly into standard categories
• Applications focusing on children/families, elderly, disabled, or socially isolated individuals are most likely to succeed

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• P H Holt Foundation
• Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside
• DJ Sidebottom/Glasdon Charitable Programme
• THE ERIC WRIGHT CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE BADUR FOUNDATION
• The Noel Sweeney Foundation
• The Arete Foundation
• The Moulding Foundation
• PILKINGTON CHARITIES FUND
• The George A Moore Foundation

References

• Charity Commission Register - The Halsall Foundation (Charity Number 1174779), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/5099635/full-print
• The Halsall Foundation website (archived content), www.thehalsallfoundation.org
• Connect Yorkshire - Alan Halsall Profile, https://connectyorkshire.org/entrepreneurs-in-residence/alan-halsall/
• Various cached web search results regarding The Halsall Foundation funding policy and application guidelines