The Wolfson Foundation's Older People Grant programme supports UK registered charities and local authorities which provide care and services for older people, particularly if they have a neurodegenerative condition, such as Parkinson’s Disease, spinal muscular atrophy or Alzheimer’s, or are socially isolated.
Projects should be for a new building, refurbishment work or equipment that leads to one or more of the following aims:
o Improved financial stability of the organisation.
o Improved quality and range of services, and/or
o Increased access to services for new and existing users
Applying organisations should:
o Be a registered charity or a local authority, and, if applicable
o Have at least a ‘Good’ rating from a regulator such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The minimum grant available is £15,000. Grant awards are normally in the range of £20.000 and £75,000. Please note that there is a matched funding requirement for projects with a total cost of over £50,000.
During the year ended 31st March 2022, the Foundation made over 200 grants totalling £37,516,946.
Funding is not available for:
o Carers’ organisations.
o Costs of meetings, exhibitions, concerts, expeditions, conferences, lectures, etc.
o Equipment funds.
o Ex-Armed Forces charities, unless they are specifically serving people with physical disabilities or mental health problems.
o Facilities or equipment in hospitals, particularly where it relates to clinical care.
o Film, websites or promotional materials.
o Grants for individuals.
o Grants through conduit organisations.
o Non-specific appeals (including circulars) and endowment funds.
o Overheads, maintenance costs and VAT.
o Projects that have already been completed or will be by the time of award.
o Purchase of land or existing buildings (including a building’s freehold)
o Respite accommodation and services.
o Running costs, including vehicle fuel and maintenance.
o Salary costs.
o Support and therapy centres (e.g. cancer support centres, MS therapy centres), or
o The repayment of loans.
The Foundation has a 2-stage application process with the following key dates:
1. Opened to Stage 1 applications on Sunday 14th May 2023.
2. Stage 1 application deadline: Saturday 1st July 2023 at 23:59.
3. Stage 2 application deadline: Friday 1st September 2023 at 23:59.
4. Funding decisions: December 2023.