Disability and youth sector focused grantmaker Peter Harrison Foundation is to close to new funding applications until further notice from 2 April amid “an unprecedented surge in demand for funding”.

This increase in interest in its funding has resulted in less than 5% of grant applications being successful.

The closure will allow it to review its grantmaking strategy and process “to ensure our available funds can have the greatest possible impact in the future”.

“We recognise the time and resources organisations invest in preparing grant applications and want to avoid charities spending their valuable time on applications when the likelihood of success is so low,” said the Foundation.

The closure will also ensure the grant maker can focus on existing its 200 current grant holders and to process “the hundreds of outstanding applications submitted” before the April deadline.

It stresses that organisations currently receiving funding will not be affected by the closure in applications to its funding.

“We regret the challenges this decision may pose to organisations seeking funding; however the overwhelming demand has made it unfeasible to continue accepting new applications,” it said.

“By pausing to review our strategy, we aim to strengthen our ability to support impactful charitable work and responsibly manage our resources.”

Applications received before the end of Tuesday, 1 April will still be considered.

Charities with a track record of working with disabled people in the most deprived areas of and have a “robust plan” in place for the project they need funding with will be prioritised for its Active Lives disability support funding stream.

Those working with a strong track record of working with children and young people in the most disadvantaged areas of the country as well as a strong plan in place will be prioritised for its Positive Futures youth fund.

Funders tackling increasing demand

Peter Harrison Foundation is the latest in a number of funders to pause or close applications for funding amid concerns over high numbers of applicants missing out.

Last month building firm Barratt’s charitable arm closed applications to its £300,000 grant programme after almost half of applicants failed to meet its funding criteria.

Barratt Foundation received 330 applications for funding through the programme. But 147 (45%) did not meet its criteria. The 27 charities it is supporting represent 15% of the eligible applications and 7% of the overall applications.

Meanwhile, London’s biggest independent funder City Bridge Foundation announced last September that it had closed its grants programmes for a year – due to “an unprecedented surge in demand”, as it prepares for a major funding review.

The funder said the closure will enable it to process hundreds of outstanding applications as an extra £200 million funding made available five years ago comes to an end.

Will Charitable Trust and Schroder Charity Trust are among other grantmakers to pause applications while they review their strategy.

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