The Foundation

PHF is one of the UK’s largest independent charitable grant-making foundations.

Mission

Our mission is to maximise opportunities for individuals and communities to realise their potential and to experience and enjoy a better quality of life, now and in the future. In particular we are concerned with children and young people and with disadvantaged people.

Values

In line with our founder Paul Hamlyn’s values, we believe in giving opportunities by realising people’s potential and in fighting prejudice.

We are interested in finding better ways to do things. We help organisations to sustain and develop their work. We pay particular attention to long-term issues. We are not afraid to address issues which others may find challenging or unpopular. Whilst being willing to work in partnership with government, we are also prepared to challenge its (and other people’s) established thinking. We believe independent foundations have an important role to play in society.

We are keen to see that our funding benefits people across the UK and in India, and in the UK we particularly welcome applications from organisations who work outside London. We will provide additional advice and encouragement to marginalised or disadvantaged people, groups and communities.

We aim to treat people fairly. We try to ensure that our procedures are effective and light touch. We will strive to demonstrate best practice, including openness and equality of opportunity, in the ways in which we work. Value for money is important to us.