The Philip And Connie Phillips Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £370,000 (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not specified (fixed deadline rounds)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: Kent and Medway, England
• Application Cycle: Biannual (Spring and Autumn rounds)

Contact Details

Website: www.pcphillipsfoundation.org

Email: info@pcphillipsfoundation.org (general enquiries) or debbie.wilkes@simpsonwreford.com

Phone: 020 8681 5500

Registered Address: c/o Simpson Wreford & Partners, Suffolk House, George Street, Croydon CR0 0YN

Overview

The Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation is an independent grant-making trust registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2020 (Charity Number 1189984). Established to further the charitable intentions set out in the wills of Philip and Connie Phillips, who were both long-term residents of Kent, the foundation focuses on supporting charities that demonstrate measurable impact on the health and wellbeing of local communities. With annual giving of approximately £370,000, the foundation awards grants typically ranging from £5,000 to £10,000, which can be spread over one or two years. The foundation operates through biannual grant rounds and has established a continuing match funding partnership with the Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust, which enables them to support more charities and potentially offer larger or multi-year grants in selected priority areas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Standard Grants Programme: £5,000 - £10,000

• Grants can be spread over one or two years
• Three grant rounds per year (typically Spring and Autumn)
• Online application through website
• Fixed deadline rounds

Match Funding Partnership (with Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust)

• Available for two priority areas: elderly and isolated people, and physical and mental health support
• Potential for larger grants or multi-year funding
• Same application process with opt-in option
• Not available for homelessness or strengthening communities priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation supports charities working in four key areas:

1. Elderly and Isolated: Supporting charities working with people who are elderly and isolated, particularly in rural areas, including activities to improve lives, meal services, befriending, advice, or other support

1. Physical and Mental Health: Funding charities who support people living with disabilities and long-term health conditions, as well as supporting people's mental health

1. Homelessness and Housing: Supporting charities who help people who are homeless, lack stable accommodation, or are in insecure or vulnerable housing

1. Strengthening Local Communities: Supporting initiatives that improve health and wellbeing, provide service access, support families facing financial hardship, and combat isolation

What Can Be Funded: General running costs, volunteer expenses, salaries, and project costs

What They Don't Fund

• Charities operating outside Kent County Council and Medway areas
• Charities with income under £10,000 or over £1 million
• Contributions to capital appeals, including restoration and conservation of buildings
• Equipment (unless as a percentage of project costs)
• Support for individuals
• Academic research
• Schools and colleges
• Retrospective work (projects already completed)

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees who make all final grant decisions. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The foundation operates from offices at Simpson Wreford & Partners, a professional services firm that specializes in supporting charities and not-for-profit entities with accounting, auditing, and tax needs.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted only through the online application form on the foundation's website (www.pcphillipsfoundation.org). The foundation operates biannual grant rounds with fixed deadlines.

Application Requirements:

• Completion of online application form
• Most recent accounts (must be available online or submitted with application)
• Completed budget
• Organization governance details

Application Questions Cover:

• Local need and issues being addressed
• Specific project details
• Organization's track record
• Collaboration plans
• Community support approach
• Success measurement methods

Match Funding Option: Applicants can opt in to be considered for match funding from the Colyer-Fergusson partnership (for eligible priority areas only) and must confirm data sharing permission between the two organizations.

Decision Timeline

Applications are assessed by the Board of Trustees following each grant round deadline. The foundation may ask clarifying questions or request to speak with someone from the organization.

According to feedback from previous grantees, the foundation is known for its “speed of response” and “very fast” payment of grants, though specific timelines are not published.

Notification: Successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified of decisions. Individual application feedback is not provided.

Success Rates

The foundation acknowledges that “more eligible organisations apply than we are able to fund.” Specific success rate percentages are not published. However, the match funding partnership with Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust aims to "increase applicants' chances of success" for the two covered priority areas.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants can reapply one year later. Organizations must have completed all monitoring form requirements from previous grants before submitting new applications.

Application Success Factors

Based on feedback from successful grantees and the foundation's published guidance:

What the Foundation Values:

• Simplicity and relevance: “The application process was simple, wanting relevant information and not too much detail” (Thanet Community Development Trust)
• Clear demonstration of impact: The foundation seeks charities that can demonstrate their impact on health and wellbeing
• Focus on local need: Applications should clearly articulate the specific local need being addressed
• Strong track record: Organizations should show evidence of previous successful delivery
• Measurable outcomes: Applications must include clear methods for measuring success

Process Characteristics:

• “Grant making process and monitoring very straightforward” (Canterbury District Volunteer Centre)
• “Process was very straight forward and flexible, communications friendly and supportive” (Swale Community and Voluntary Services)
• “Grants team fantastic to communicate with, always helpful and prompt” (Food Friends)

Recent Funded Projects (examples that illustrate priorities):

• Catching Lives: £10,000 for Mental Health Outreach Specialists providing emotional and practical support to homeless clients (452 sessions delivered)
• Thanet Community Development Trust: Craft Club social inclusion project for almost 60 people to improve wellbeing and combat isolation
• Riverside Church: £5,000 for “All Wrapped Up” Christmas project providing gifts for 560 children and food vouchers to 265+ families
• Social Pantry project: Supporting 50+ households weekly, diverting 25+ tonnes of food from landfill
• Hearing Loss Outreach Programme: Setting up social groups for older people living with hearing loss
• Community hot meals service: Providing meals and welfare checks for elderly residents in rural locations

Strategic Advice:

• Keep application responses concise and focused on relevant information
• Clearly articulate how your work impacts health and wellbeing in Kent communities
• Demonstrate your organization's capacity through evidence of past delivery
• Include specific, measurable outcomes in your application
• Consider the match funding option if your project aligns with eligible priority areas

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic specificity matters: Your charity must be based in Kent or Medway and primarily serve these communities—this is a strict eligibility requirement
• Income threshold is firm: Organizations with annual income below £10,000 or above £1 million are not eligible
• Simplicity is valued: Keep applications concise and focused on relevant information; the foundation appreciates straightforward proposals without excessive detail
• Consider match funding strategically: If your work addresses elderly/isolated populations or physical/mental health, opt into the Colyer-Fergusson partnership for increased funding potential
• Demonstrate clear impact: Focus on measurable outcomes and evidence of how your work improves health and wellbeing in local communities
• Follow social media for timing: Grant rounds operate on fixed schedules announced via the foundation's website and social media channels
• Expect responsive communication: Previous grantees consistently praise the foundation's helpful, prompt, and supportive communication style

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust
• Kent Community Foundation
• The Shanly Foundation
• Gatwick Airport Community Trust
• The Cobtree Charity Trust Limited
• E F AND M G HALL CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Cole Charitable Trust
• Peter Adams Trust
• The Gibbons Family Trust
• Headley Pitt Trust

References

1. The Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation official website - www.pcphillipsfoundation.org
2. Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 1189984, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1189984
3. “How to Apply” - The Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation, https://pcphillipsfoundation.org/about/
4. “What We Fund” - The Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation, https://pcphillipsfoundation.org/blog/
5. “Feedback from previous applicants” - The Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation, https://pcphillipsfoundation.org/feedback-from-previous-applicants/
6. “Match funding: Frequently asked questions” - The Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation, https://pcphillipsfoundation.org/match-funding-faqs/
7. “Supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness” - Previous Grantees, The Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation, https://pcphillipsfoundation.org/2022/12/21/previous-grantees-supporting-people-who-are-homeless-or-at-risk-of-homelessness/
8. “Catching Lives receives £10k grant from The Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation”, Catching Lives, https://catchinglives.org/2023/05/19/catching-lives-grant-philip-conniw-phillips-foundation/