Pickwell Foundation

The Pickwell Foundation, established in 2012 by the Elliott and Baker families, is an independent UK grant-making charity with a dual mission to drive sustainable solutions for people and the planet through compassion, community, equity, and environmental responsibility. Rooted in North Devon, it blends grant-making with direct operational delivery, particularly in refugee resettlement since 2016, while extending influence nationally and internationally. Its distinctive approach emphasizes trust-based partnerships, grassroots engagement, volunteer mentoring, rapid crisis response, and collaboration with local authorities and networks like the Environmental Funders Network, earning recognition such as BBC awards for community integration.

It prioritizes two pillars: supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced people via projects like the Afghan Welcome Project, Community Sponsorship Scheme for Syrian/Afghan families, and Homes for Ukraine (welcoming over 300 guests); and tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, adaptation, mitigation, and nature recovery. Funding supports integration, casework, accommodation, policy advocacy, and environmental initiatives for local communities, charities, and NGOs, with one-third of grants each to South West England (especially North Devon/Torridge areas like Barnstaple and Ilfracombe), UK national bodies, and international partners.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups (grassroots to medium-sized), with no strict income thresholds or geographic base restrictions, though strong local alignment preferred; it accepts no unsolicited formal applications—only invitation-only after relational introductions via letter. Trustees meet ~8 times yearly on a rolling basis for decisions. Typical grants range £1,000–£25,000, often multi-year (£5,000–£8,000 annually for up to three years), covering projects, core costs, and capacity building. Exclusions focus outside displacement and climate/nature; no religious restrictions or public deadlines apply.