Dorset-based agency, the McCarthy and Stone Charitable Foundation is a relatively new grant-making charity whose vision is a society where older people are valued, connected and engaged with their communities. Its mission is to help grassroots charities and community groups support older people by engaging the McCarthy Stone Group, people, customers and partners.

The Foundation’s Christmas Connections 2023 grant programme aims to provide small grants of £1,000, with no matched funding requirement, to support organisations running activities for people over 65 in their community over the festive period 2023.

Project proposals should meet one or more of the following objectives:

1. Provide connection and purpose for older people.
2. Building intergenerational partnerships to bring young and older people together, and
3. Regenerating community spaces that enable connection and engagement for older people.

Activities must take place between Friday 1st December 2023 and Tuesday 2nd January 2024.

Registered charities, community organisations and Community Interest Companies in England, Scotland and Wales (the programme is not available to charitable organisations in Northern Ireland) with an annual income of under £250,000 may apply. Grants can cover project and/or core costs.

Further information and an online application form guidance is available on the Foundation’s website.

The Foundation hasn’t provided an application deadline for its Christmas Connections 2023 programme. However, as projects should take place between 1st December 2023 and 2nd January 2024, it is suggested that applications should be made as soon as possible and by mid-November at the latest.