Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust Grants-Support for People Experiencing or at Risk of Homelessness

If your VCSE organisation supports people facing homelessness or who are at risk of losing their housing, there’s an important funding window you shouldn’t miss.

The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust is now accepting applications for its first 2026 funding round, offering grants of £1,000 for UK-registered charities working to improve the lives of people in need. This round focuses on life skills and practical support for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness — including people leaving the armed forces, care or prison

Apply or find full details on the official site:

Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust – What We Fund & How to Apply

About the Trust & Funding Focus

The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust awards grants to UK-registered charities, with the aim of supporting people in society who face the greatest challenges and have the most limited opportunities. In 2026, the Trust’s priorities for Grant Rounds 1 and 2 are:

• People experiencing or at risk of homelessness
• Projects that provide life skills training such as food education, healthy living, and budgeting
• Priority given to those leaving the armed forces, prison, or care systems

The Trust operates a three-year rotation system for focus areas, meaning different project types are funded each year. For 2026, the emphasis is on homelessness support in the first two rounds.

Key Details for 2026 – Round 1

Grant amount: £1,000 per award

• Who can apply: UK-registered charities with an operating income between £100,000 and £1 million
• Application window: 1st – 28th February 2026
• Deadline: 28 February 2026

Please note: Charities can only submit one application per calendar year — so choose the project that best fits the Trust’s current funding priorities

Who This Funding Supports

This funding is ideal for charities working directly with people who face homelessness or are at risk due to:

• Economic hardship
• Leaving institutional care
• Leaving the military
• Returning to the community after incarceration

Projects that connect people with essential life skills — such as budgeting, nutritious food preparation, or healthy living practices — are especially relevant under this round

How to Apply

The application process is online via the Trust’s website. You’ll need to review the eligibility criteria carefully, prepare details about your project, and complete the form within the one-month window.

For full details and the application form, visit https://austin-hope-pilkington.org.uk/