The Harpur Trust

Home
United Kingdom
Bedford
The Harpur Trust

Directions Website

Using the legacy of Sir William Harpur, our founder in 1566, we offer support exclusively in the Bedford area. We are one of the top 100 charities in the UK.

We've been here for the people of Bedford for over 450 years; supporting the local community through our grantmaking, through almshouse and other accommodation for older people, and by providing and promoting education. Over the past ten years we have awarded over £8.875 million in community grants to groups and individuals in the Borough of Bedford. Supporting our community by giving grants to local projects is core to what we do. The grants we offer to projects based in and around Bedford help local organisations and individuals to make a difference to their own lives or those of others. Our grants to organisations are split into two categories:

* Our responsive programme – approximately £500,000 is awarded from this programme every year. Grants within this category cover education, relief and recreation.
* Our themed grants programme – an additional £500,000 a year is available from this programme. These enable us to focus resources on topics of particular interest which still fit within our three objects of education, relief and recreation. Although most of our grants are given to organisations we also offer a very small number of grants to individuals; these are all education focused. We own, manage and support the four independent Harpur Trust Schools:
* Bedford Girls’ School – a day school for girls aged 7-18
* Bedford Modern School – a day school for boys and girls aged 7-18
* Bedford School – a boarding and day school for boys aged 7-18
* Pilgrims Preparatory School – a nursery and prep school for boys and girls aged 3 months to 7 years

12/11/2026

We are delighted to share The Harpur Trust has achieved Planet Mark Certification.

As an organisation dedicated to supporting people and communities across Bedford Borough, we're committed to playing our part in building a more sustainable future.

Achieving Planet Mark Certification recognises the steps we're taking to measure, understand and reduce our environmental impact, while ensuring we can continue creating positive change for generations to come.

This is an important milestone in our sustainability journey, and we'll be sharing more about the actions we're taking and the progress we're making along the way, so keep an eye on our channels for updates.

11/11/2026

"𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆."

This Trustees’ Week, we're shining a spotlight on Sebastian Reger, who shares what being a trustee at The Harpur Trust means to him.

From bringing professional expertise to board discussions, to learning from fellow trustees and helping shape decisions, Sebastian explains how his involvement is both rewarding and impactful.

Our trustees are all volunteers, and they play a crucial role in helping ensure The Harpur Trust can continue supporting people, communities and education across Bedford Borough for many years to come.

Thank you to all our trustees for the time, insight and dedication they give so generously.

10/11/2026

Do you know someone who deserves recognition for their contribution to local sport?

Less than a week left to nominate for the Bedford Borough Council, Sports Development Unit Awards, celebrating the individuals and organisations who make sport happen across our community.

From individuals, schools, teams, clubs, groups and coaches, the awards recognise those who have shown outstanding dedication, hard work, inspiration, community impact and sporting achievement over the past year.

The Harpur Trust is proud to sponsor the Unsung Hero Award, celebrating the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to create sporting opportunities, support others, and help local sport thrive.

If you know someone making a difference, now is the time to put them forward.

Nomination deadline: 5pm on Tuesday 17 November

Find out more about all 14 award categories and submit a nomination at: www.bedford.gov.uk/sportsawards

09/11/2026

As today marks the beginning of Trustees' Week, we wanted to thank all the trustees whose dedication, insight and commitment plays a vital role in helping charities and community organisations across our borough to thrive.

If you’re interested in becoming a trustee, CVS Bedfordshire is running an online workshop on Friday lunchtime to help you understand the role of an effective board member. The online workshops will cover:

- The benefits of being a trustee
- The main duties and responsibilities of a trustee
- The importance of balancing the skills of a trustee
- Where to find trustee roles

Whether you're looking to use your skills to give back, support a cause you care about, or gain experience in strategic leadership, becoming a trustee can be a rewarding way to make an impact.

To sign up to the workshop visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/become-a-trustee-trustees-week-2026-lunchtime-session-tickets-2003402033412?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/11/2026

What do you love about living in Bedford? What challenges do you face? What would you most like to see change?

We're looking for residents to take part in an online workshop on 13 November to have your say on life in the borough.

All participants will receive a thank you payment for taking part.

We're running two separate workshops: one for people aged 17-24 and another for people aged 25 and over.

The Harpur Trust is partnering with Bedford Giving and Common Collective to listen to people from across the borough and build a richer understanding of life in our communities. The research will help us understand what matters most to local people and inform our future funding decisions, ensuring we invest in the issues, opportunities and initiatives that will make the greatest difference. Your voice can help influence how we support our community in the years ahead.

Visit https://takepartinresearch.co.uk/bedford-residents-research to find out more and apply.

08/11/2026

Wishing everyone celebrating a happy, peaceful and prosperous Diwali!

08/11/2026

We join communities across Bedford in remembering the servicemen and women who have given their lives in conflict and service.

On Remembrance Sunday, we pause to reflect on their sacrifice, honour their memory, and give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy today.

06/11/2026

We're looking for residents to take part in an online workshop on 13 November to have your say on life in Bedford Borough.

What do you love about living here? What challenges do you face? What would you most like to see change?

All participants will receive a thank you payment for taking part.

We're running two separate workshops: one for people aged 17-24 and another for people aged 25 and over.

The Harpur Trust is partnering with Bedford Giving and Common Collective to listen to people from across the borough and build a richer understanding of life in our communities. The research will help us understand what matters most to local people and inform our future funding decisions, ensuring we invest in the issues, opportunities and initiatives that will make the greatest difference. Your voice can help influence how we support our community in the years ahead.

Visit https://takepartinresearch.co.uk/bedford-residents-research to find out more and apply.

06/11/2026

Through our grant funding, YMCA Chiltern Group is delivering the Dignify programme in five Bedford Borough schools, helping young people explore healthy relationships, online safety and respect while empowering student ambassadors to create positive change.

We're delighted through this project local students are contributing to the research being presented at the upcoming national Dignify Research & Impact Showcase, where findings involving more than 10,500 young people will be shared with leaders from education, safeguarding, health and community organisations.

Find out more and register via the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dignify-national-report-launch-tickets-1999615759565?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/11/2026

We're proud to support Bedford Creative Arts through our grant funding, helping to bring inclusive and engaging community focused projects to communities across Bedford Borough.

Over the past year, our funding has helped support:

- Airships XR – Bringing Bedford's airship history to life through immersive VR and AR experiences. Reached 996 young people, with 93% rating the experience as excellent or good.

- Ben & Bella Trails – Four family trails encouraging exploration of local parks and community spaces. Attracted 3,470 visitors, with 22% experiencing arts and culture for the first time.

These projects demonstrate the power of arts and culture to inspire learning, strengthen communities, celebrate local heritage and create opportunities for people who may not otherwise engage with creative activities.

We're delighted that our funding has helped BCA reach thousands of local residents and continue making a positive difference.

To find out more and apply for a grant visit www.harpurtrust.org.uk/grants

Our next grant deadline is 23 November 2026.

Address

Princeton Court, Pilgrim Centre, Brickhill Drive
Bedford
MK417PZ

Website

http://www.harpurtrust.org.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Harpur Trust posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.