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Insights·Funder Profiles21 Sept 20266 min readintermediate

Paul Hamlyn Foundation: a funder guide

An overview of Paul Hamlyn Foundation's UK grants programmes, priorities and how to make your application competitive.

Quick answer

Paul Hamlyn Foundation funds work with young people, migrants and refugees, and the arts. Grants range from £10k to over £300k, often over three to five years. They value learning, partnership and long-term change.

Applying for funding can feel like navigating a maze, but when you're considering the Paul Hamlyn Foundation (PHF), you're looking at a funder with a clear mission and a strong commitment to long-term impact. They are a significant player in the UK's philanthropic landscape, known for their thoughtful approach, their focus on systemic change and their support for arts, education, and social justice. This guide will walk you through their priorities, programmes, and offer practical advice to help you craft a competitive application.

PHF is one of the larger independent grant-making foundations in the UK, founded by the publisher Paul Hamlyn in 1987. His vision was to help people to realise their full potential and to be at the forefront of change. This ethos continues to shape their work today, making them a highly sought-after funder for many charities and community interest companies (CICs) working in their priority areas.

Key Takeaways

  • Paul Hamlyn Foundation supports work in the arts, education and learning, and tackling injustice.
  • They prioritise organisations working with young people, migrants, and refugees, and aim for systemic change.
  • Grants often range from £10,000 to over £300,000, typically over three to five years.
  • PHF values strong partnerships, learning, and genuine community involvement.
THE ROADMAP1Key Takeaways2Understanding PHF'sFunding Priorities3Who and What They Fund4Navigating theApplication Process5Crafting a CompetitiveApplication
How this guide is structured

Understanding PHF's Funding Priorities

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation organises its funding into distinct areas, each with specific objectives but all underpinned by a commitment to social justice and enabling people to realise their full potential. Understanding these overarching priorities is crucial before embarking on an application. They aren't just looking for good projects; they are looking for initiatives that align with their strategic goals for lasting change.

Their funding is primarily channelled through three broad themes: Arts, Education and Learning, and Social Justice. Within these, they identify specific 'funds' or programmes. For instance, the 'Arts Access and Participation' Fund aims to strengthen the capacity of the arts sector to engage with people from under-represented groups, ensuring that participation is genuinely inclusive. This isn't just about offering workshops; it's about breaking down systemic barriers to engagement.

“We aim to be an effective and independent funder, supporting organisations and individuals to bring about positive change. We are driven by a commitment to social justice and believe that everyone should have the opportunity to realise their full potential, as individuals and as members of society.” - Paul Hamlyn Foundation

Who and What They Fund

PHF typically funds registered charities and CICs operating within the UK. They also occasionally make grants to other types of not-for-profit organisations. What they fund is generally long-term, strategic work, rather than short-term projects or core costs for organisations not aligned with their strategic aims. They are interested in organisations that can demonstrate a deep understanding of the issues they are addressing and a clear theory of change for how their work will lead to positive outcomes.

Across all their programmes, there's a strong emphasis on impact for specific groups. They are particularly keen to support initiatives benefiting:

  • Young People: Ensuring young people have the opportunities and support they need to thrive, particularly those facing disadvantage.
  • Migrants and Refugees: Organisations working to improve the lives of migrants and refugees, advocating for their rights, and fostering integration.
  • People experiencing systemic inequality: This covers a broad range, but often focuses on those facing discrimination due to ethnicity, disability, or socio-economic background.

An important aspect of PHF's approach is their willingness to support core costs, particularly for smaller organisations, where this investment directly contributes to their ability to deliver impact within PHF’s funding priorities. This holistic view of support, acknowledging that robust organisations are built on more than just project funding, is a hallmark of their giving.

Paul Hamlyn Foundation: a funder guide illustration
Illustration by Serin

Navigating the Application Process

Applying to PHF is a multi-stage process, typically involving an expression of interest (EOI) or a short initial application, followed by a more detailed full application if invited. This phased approach allows them to manage the volume of applications and ensures that organisations invest time in a full application only if there's a strong initial fit.

Before even starting an EOI, thoroughly review the guidelines for the specific fund you are interested in. PHF's website is well-organised and provides detailed eligibility criteria and priorities for each programme. If you don't meet these criteria, it's best not to apply, as resources are limited, and their focus is very specific.

The initial stage usually focuses on your organisation's mission, the problem you're addressing, your proposed solution, and why you are best placed to deliver it. Be concise, clear, and compelling. Demonstrate your understanding of the context and the needs of the communities you serve. If successful, you'll be invited to submit a full application, which will require more detailed information on your budget, impact measurement, governance, and partnership working.

Crafting a Competitive Application

To stand out in a competitive field, it's essential to demonstrate not only that your project is good, but that it perfectly aligns with PHF's values and strategic goals. Here are some key areas to focus on:

  1. Alignment with Priorities: This is non-negotiable. Clearly articulate how your work directly contributes to one of PHF's specific fund objectives and overarching priorities. Use their language where appropriate.
  2. Demonstrate Need: Provide robust evidence of the need your project addresses. This could be local data, research, or direct testimony from the communities you serve.
  3. Clear Theory of Change: Explain how your activities will lead to your desired outcomes and wider impact. What are the steps, and why do you believe they will work?
  4. Learning and Adaptation: PHF values learning. Show how you plan to monitor your progress, learn from both successes and challenges, and adapt your approach if necessary. This demonstrates maturity and a commitment to continuous improvement.
  5. Partnership and Collaboration: If your work involves partnerships, highlight them. PHF often looks favourably on organisations working collaboratively to achieve shared goals.
  6. Community Voice: Show how the communities you serve have been involved in the design and delivery of your work. Authenticity and ownership from beneficiaries are highly valued.
  7. Sustainability: While PHF offers long-term funding, they are also interested in how your work might be sustained or scaled in the future, beyond their grant.

What Happens After You Apply?

After submitting an application, PHF's process typically involves a detailed review by their grants team, often followed by an interview or site visit for organisations progressing through the stages. This is an opportunity for them to get to know your organisation better, ask clarifying questions, and understand the nuances of your work. It's also an opportunity for you to deepen your relationship with them.

If successful, communication will continue, outlining grant agreements and reporting requirements. PHF is known for being a supportive funder, often offering more than just financial support; they may connect organisations, facilitate learning networks, and share insights. Ongoing reporting is a chance to show them the impact of their investment and your learning journey.

If your application is declined, it's worth checking if they offer feedback. Many funders do, and this can be invaluable for refining future applications, even to other funders. A decline does not mean your work isn't valuable, but perhaps it wasn't the right fit for PHF at that specific time or programme cycle.

Partnering for Long-Term Impact

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation isn't just a grant-maker; they see themselves as a partner in achieving social change. This means they are often willing to engage in deeper relationships with their grantees, supporting not just individual projects but the organisational development and learning that underpins sustainable impact. For charities and CICs aiming for systemic change and long-term solutions within their priority areas, PHF represents a significant and highly respected funding opportunity.

Next steps

Before making an application, read the detailed guidance on the Paul Hamlyn Foundation website for the specific fund you are interested in. Contacting the foundation directly, if they allow for enquiries, can sometimes clarify specific eligibility questions, but ensure you have thoroughly reviewed their online resources first.

Step-by-step

How to do this, step by step

  1. Step 1

    Step 1: Research and Select a Relevant Fund

    Thoroughly explore the Paul Hamlyn Foundation's website. Identify which of their specific funds (e.g., 'Arts Access and Participation', 'Migration and Integration', 'Ideas and Pioneers') best aligns with your organisation's mission and the project you wish to fund. Pay close attention to the eligibility criteria, priorities, and desired outcomes for each fund to ensure a strong fit.

  2. Step 2

    Step 2: Review Eligibility and Guidelines Carefully

    Once you've identified a potential fund, read all associated guidelines, FAQs, and application materials in detail. Check whether your organisation type, geographic area, and project activities are explicitly covered. PHF is selective, so if you don't meet criteria, it's better to focus your efforts elsewhere.

  3. Step 3

    Step 3: Prepare Your Expression of Interest (EOI)

    Most PHF applications start with an EOI or a short initial application. Focus on clearly articulating the problem you're addressing, your proposed solution, who benefits, and why your organisation is best placed to deliver it. Be concise, compelling, and illustrate a strong alignment with PHF's strategic goals.

  4. Step 4

    Step 4: Develop Your Full Application (If Invited)

    If your EOI is successful, you'll be invited to submit a full application. This requires more depth. Prepare a detailed budget, a robust plan for monitoring and evaluation, a clear theory of change, and demonstrate how you involve beneficiaries and collaborate with partners. Show how your project contributes to learning and aims for long-term impact.

  5. Step 5

    Step 5: Prepare for Interview/Site Visit (If Applicable)

    For many applications, PHF will conduct an interview or site visit. This is an opportunity to elaborate on your proposal, discuss your organisation's values, and answer any questions. Be prepared to talk openly about your challenges, learning, and future aspirations. This stage is about building a relationship and trust.

  6. Step 6

    Step 6: Engage with Reporting and Learning

    If successful, be prepared for ongoing communication and reporting. PHF values learning and transparency. Use reporting opportunities to share your progress, any challenges, and what you're learning along the way. Engage with any learning networks or support offered by the foundation to maximise the value of the partnership.

Practical examples

Arts Access and Participation Grants

A community arts organisation in a deprived area successfully applied for a multi-year grant from the Arts Access and Participation Fund. Their project focused on developing long-term partnerships with local schools and youth groups, providing subsidised arts education and creative opportunities for young people from low-income backgrounds. The application highlighted how their approach went beyond one-off workshops, aiming to build sustained engagement, develop participants' skills, and foster a sense of belonging, directly addressing barriers to arts participation for under-represented groups. They demonstrated the involvement of young people in programme design and showed a clear evaluation framework for measuring skill development and well-being outcomes.

Migration and Integration Programme Funding

A small charity supporting refugee women to integrate into UK society secured funding through the Migration and Integration programme. Their project delivered culturally sensitive ESOL (English as a Second Language) classes combined with peer mentoring and social activities, addressing not only language barriers but also critical issues of isolation and confidence. The application emphasised their co-production model, where refugee women themselves shaped the programme content. It also outlined how their work contributed to broader advocacy efforts for more inclusive integration policies, showcasing alignment with PHF's aim for systemic change.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Not thoroughly researching the specific fund guidelines and eligibility criteria, leading to an application that doesn't fit PHF's priorities.
  • Failing to clearly articulate a strong theory of change, making it difficult for the funder to understand how your activities lead to desired outcomes.
  • Not providing sufficient evidence of community need or involvement, thereby failing to demonstrate authentic impact driven by beneficiary voices.
  • Submitting an application without proofreading, which can undermine credibility and attention to detail.
  • Underestimating the importance of demonstrating your organisation's commitment to learning, monitoring, and adapting based on outcomes.
  • Focusing too heavily on project activities rather than the long-term impact and systemic change your work aims to achieve.
  • Applying for funding for work that is too short-term or does not align with PHF's preference for multi-year engagement and strategic support.
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What kind of organisations does Paul Hamlyn Foundation typically fund?+

PHF primarily funds registered charities and Community Interest Companies (CICs) in the UK. They occasionally support other not-for-profit organisations, but the focus is on those delivering significant social impact within their priority areas of arts, education, and social justice.

Does PHF provide funding for core costs?+

Yes, PHF is known for being open to funding core costs, particularly for smaller organisations, where it directly enables the delivery of work aligned with their strategic priorities. They understand that strong organisations require robust infrastructure.

What is the typical grant size and duration offered by PHF?+

Grant sizes vary significantly depending on the fund and scale of the project, ranging from £10,000 to over £300,000. PHF often provides multi-year funding, typically over three to five years, reflecting their commitment to supporting long-term, sustainable change.

How detailed should my initial application be?+

Initial applications, often called Expressions of Interest (EOIs), should be clear, concise, and compelling. Focus on summarising the core problem, your proposed solution, and how it aligns with PHF's specific fund priorities. It's about demonstrating a strong initial fit to be invited to a full application.

Does PHF only fund innovative projects?+

While PHF has a dedicated 'Ideas and Pioneers' fund for highly innovative or early-stage initiatives, across all their programmes, they look for work that demonstrates thoughtfulness, evidence-based approaches, and a commitment to learning and adaptation, whether it's an established model or a new one. The emphasis is on impact and effectiveness.

What if my application is unsuccessful?+

If your application is declined, it's always worth checking if PHF offers feedback. Many funders do, and this can provide invaluable insights for improving future applications, either for PHF or other grant-makers. A decline often simply means your project didn't entirely align with their specific strategic goals or current funding round, not that your work isn't valuable.

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