The Pargiter Trust

Charity Number: 1157779

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M
Geographic Focus: Throughout England, Guernsey

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £124,778+ (Suffolk partnership alone)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Approximately 10-12 weeks
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000 (typically up to £5,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Berkshire, Guernsey, Kent, Suffolk, Surrey, Tyne & Wear, and Wiltshire (England and Bailiwick of Guernsey)

Contact Details

Website: https://pargitertrust.org.uk/

Email: admin@pargitertrust.org.uk

Phone: 07980932716

Contact for Enquiries: Suzanne Gardiner (suzanne@pargitertrust.org.uk)

Regional Applications: Applications are managed through local Community Foundations. Contact the Community Foundation in your region for specific guidance:

  • Surrey: grants@cfsurrey.org.uk
  • Suffolk: 01473 602602
  • Guernsey: grants@foundation.gg or 259523

Overview

The Pargiter Trust was founded in 2005 by The Honourable Isobel Cooper-Heyman, a former Trustee of The National Benevolent Fund for The Aged and passionate campaigner for older people's independence and well-being. Since Isobel's death in 2009, her cousin Suzanne Gardiner has served as Chair. Registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organization (CIO) in 2014 (Charity Number 1157779), the Trust focuses on grant-making and innovation to support disadvantaged older people aged 65+ to be independent, healthy and socially included. The Trust works collaboratively with Community Foundations and grassroots charities across seven regions in England and the Bailiwick of Guernsey. In Suffolk alone, the Trust has awarded 50 grants totaling £124,778, while the Surrey partnership has surpassed £300,000 in grant awards since 2013.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants Programme: £1,000 - £5,000 (rolling basis through regional Community Foundations)

  • Standard small grants for capital or revenue costs
  • Application via Expression of Interest (EOI) form
  • Two funding rounds per year (Spring and Autumn), though applications accepted year-round

Larger Project Grants: Up to £10,000 (by prior discussion)

  • For complete projects requiring larger investment
  • Contact the regional Community Foundation grants team before applying
  • Multi-year funding may be considered for appropriate projects

Priority Areas

The Trust supports three main themes:

1. Improving Health and Wellbeing

  • Reducing social isolation and loneliness
  • Providing hot meals and refreshments
  • Supporting sports, arts, recreation, and social clubs
  • Enabling volunteering opportunities for older people
  • Activities helping older people stay active and engaged

2. Improving Access to Facilities, Advice and Training

  • Supporting transport and mobility
  • Good Neighbourhood schemes
  • Befriending initiatives
  • Improving access to information and IT for older people
  • Intergenerational projects
  • Providing respite for carers

3. Helping Older People Facing Difficult Circumstances

  • Support for those experiencing illness, injury, or disability
  • Assistance during bereavement
  • Help for those facing financial hardship

Recent Projects Funded:

  • GoodGym Woking: £12,500 for core costs to establish community runners doing good deeds
  • Tea and Chat (Making Connections): Supporting socially isolated older people in Tandridge
  • iPads and laptops during Covid-19 to connect isolated older people
  • Advice and information services, arts and creativity programs, leisure activities

What They Don't Fund

Explicit Exclusions:

  • Applications from national organisations
  • Community transport schemes (vehicles)
  • Vehicle costs or second-hand minibus purchases
  • Projects focused primarily on religious activities
  • Organizations with income over £500,000 (given lower priority)

Eligibility Requirements:

  • At least 90% of beneficiaries must be over 65 years old
  • Organizations must have a constitution/governing document/Articles of Association
  • Management committee with minimum of three independent members
  • Satisfactory and proportionate safeguarding procedures for working with over 65s
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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Suzanne Gardiner (Founder Isobel Cooper-Heyman's cousin)

The Trust operates as a Charitable Incorporated Organization and works through a partnership model with regional Community Foundations rather than employing a large central team. This enables the Trust to support grassroots organizations effectively across multiple regions while maintaining low overhead costs.

Suzanne Gardiner from The Pargiter Trust has spoken about their commitment to supporting older people, continuing the founder's legacy of championing independence and social inclusion for disadvantaged elderly populations.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)

  • Start by completing a simple EOI form through your regional Community Foundation
  • Describe what you want to do and how much funding you need
  • The EOI saves time by providing preliminary information about your project
  • Designed to be quick and straightforward

Step 2: Full Application (if invited)

  • Grants team reviews EOI against fund criteria
  • Strongest matched EOIs are invited to submit full applications
  • Full application form link provided at least one month before deadline
  • Application support available from Community Foundation grants teams

Best Practice: Always speak to the grants team first for advice on suitability and to ensure your application aligns with fund priorities.

Decision Timeline

  • Application rounds: Spring and Autumn (applications can be submitted anytime)
  • Review period: Approximately 10-12 weeks from application deadline to decision
  • Notification: Decisions communicated by end of the review period
  • Example timeline: Applications closing September 22 receive decisions by end of November

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available. However, the Trust prioritizes:

  • Grassroots organizations with income below £500,000
  • Projects serving disadvantaged older people with clear impact
  • Applications addressing cost-of-living challenges
  • Work with protected characteristic groups (BAME, LGBT+ older people)

Reapplication Policy

The Trust operates through Community Foundations with rolling application cycles. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent funding rounds. Organizations are encouraged to contact the grants team for feedback and guidance before reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Key Advice from the Funder:

  1. Speak to the grants team first: Community Foundations emphasize accessibility - contact them before applying to ensure the fund is right for your project and get guidance on strengthening your application.
  1. Focus on the 90% rule: Ensure at least 90% of beneficiaries will be over 65. This is a firm requirement.
  1. Demonstrate clear impact: Show how your project will help disadvantaged older people be independent, healthy, and socially included - these three pillars align directly with the Trust's mission.
  1. Address underrepresented groups: Applications focusing on BAME and LGBT+ older communities are particularly encouraged.
  1. Consider post-COVID recovery: The fund is keen to support organizations adapting service delivery and operating models following the pandemic.
  1. Cost-of-living awareness: Projects addressing financial hardship and cost-of-living challenges for older people are current priorities.
  1. Be specific about need: Clearly articulate the disadvantage or difficulty your beneficiaries face and how your project addresses it.
  1. Show sustainability: While the Trust considers multi-year funding, demonstrate how the project will be sustained or its impact will continue beyond the grant period.

Language and Terminology:

  • Use terms like “grassroots,” “independence,” “social inclusion,” “disadvantaged”
  • Emphasize “health and wellbeing,” “reducing isolation,” “befriending”
  • Highlight “intergenerational” approaches where relevant
  • Reference “difficult circumstances” when describing beneficiary challenges

Common Characteristics of Funded Projects:

  • Direct service delivery to older people
  • Community-based and locally rooted
  • Clear outcomes for independence, health, or social inclusion
  • Often involve befriending, social activities, or practical support
  • May include technology to connect isolated individuals
  • Provide respite or support for carers

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Partnership approach is key: The Trust works through Community Foundations - build a relationship with your regional foundation's grants team and seek their advice early in the process.
  • Grassroots prioritization: Organizations with income under £500,000 are prioritized; national organizations are not eligible.
  • The 65+ and 90% rules are non-negotiable: Your project must serve people aged 65 and over, with at least 90% of beneficiaries meeting this age threshold.
  • Align with the three pillars: Frame your application around independence, health, and social inclusion - these are the core mission elements.
  • Think small but impactful: This is a small grants fund (typically £1,000-£5,000). Focus on specific, achievable projects rather than large-scale initiatives.
  • Express of Interest saves time: The two-stage process means you can test eligibility and suitability before investing time in a full application.
  • Regional variations exist: Application processes, deadlines, and specific priorities may vary slightly between Community Foundation regions - always check regional guidance.

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