Grants are available to UK-based charities that can demonstrate how they are making the lives of people over the age of 65 years better.
Objectives of Fund
The funding is for UK registered charities which promote a proactive approach to the physical and mental wellbeing of people who are over 65 years of age.
The charity’s work should fall into one of the following categories:
- Health and welfare – grants are for the refurbishment of residential care housing for the elderly and for building projects which are nearing completion. Consideration will also be given to the provision of equipment and furniture to enhance care and improve quality of life.
- Community and innovation – grants for community initiatives such as exercise classes for the over-65s, lunch clubs, horticultural therapy and day trips. Consideration will also be given to technology projects aimed at benefitting the over-65s.
Due to the high demand for grants, priority is given to applications from charities working in areas of deprivation and those which have a focus on arts and wellbeing.
Funding is at the discretion of the Trustees.
Although there is no set minimum or maximum grant, grants tend to be between £1,000 and £1,500.
Around 100 organisations are awarded a grant each year.
Who Can Apply
UK registered charities may apply.
To be eligible, charities must:
- Be based in the UK.
- Have, for at least three years, been registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, or the Regulator for Charities in Northern Ireland.
- Have as their aim ‘to help people over the age of 65’ and be able to show how they are making a difference to peoples’ lives.
In order to apply, 100% of their beneficiaries must be over the age of 65.
The trustees are interested in supporting a diverse range of charities which support older people, from large institutions to small community-run organisations. There is no upper limit in regard to annual turnover.
If a charity has received a grant from the Foundation, it must wait five years before applying for another award.
Eligible Expenditure
The funding is for:
- Refurbishment
- Equipment
- Innovative schemes for ongoing care
- Projects which help people aged over 65 years live active and fulfilling lives.
How To Apply
Meetings of the Foundation take place quarterly, in January, April, July and October.
The next application window will be open from 8 December to 12 December 2025 for consideration at the January 2026 meeting.
Successful applicants will be paid by the end of February 2026.
There is no formal application form. The details of how to make an application can be found on the Foundation’s website on the ‘How to Apply’ page.
Applications should be submitted by email to the Trustees.
Groups that have received a previous grant must wait three years before applying for another grant.
Contact The W.G. Edwards Charitable Foundation for further information.