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GRANTS

Funds for Older People

Closed for applications.

Our Funds for Older people will be open for applications in May 2027.

Grant Size: up to £5,000

BCF manages a number of funds which aim to support projects tackling issues affecting older people, such as isolation, health and well-being.

Beneficiaries must be aged 65 and over. Grants will be awarded to groups, projects and programmes that:

  • Improve health and wellbeing
  • Reduce social isolation including befriending schemes
  • Improve access to facilities, advice and training
  • Provide respite for carers
  • Improve access to information and IT, particularly where this involves intergenerational work
  • Overcome problems such as illness, injury, disability, bereavement or financial difficulty

Please note that applicants will be informed of the Grants Committee’s decisions in August.

Allocation Priorities

When reviewing applications, the following is taken in to consideration:

  • Project matches the fund criteria
  • Whether your organisation has already been supported this financial year so far
  • Project timelines
  • Outstanding monitoring reports

You are not eligible to apply if:

  • You are applying for retrospective funding (costs already incurred)
  • Your organisation holds more than 12 months unrestricted reserves
  • Your annual operating budget exceeds £2 million
  • You are a regional or national charity without a clearly defined Berkshire branch
  • You are seeking funding for political or religious campaigning
  • You require funding for a large capital project (including vehicles, property purchase or building works over £5,000)
  • You are applying as an individual

If you are interested in applying for funding, please check the who can apply page to see if your organisation is eligible.

Beneficiaries enjoying arts and crafts at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts
Gardeners at Five a Day Market

The Application Process

  • Applications will reopen in May 2027. Fill in the eligibility quiz at the bottom of this page when the fund reopens. Once the quiz is filled in, if you meet the criteria of the fund you will receive a link to the application form.
  • Grants up to a maximum of £5,000 will be considered, subject to funding availability
  • Your application form must be completed on-line, along with governing documents, including your organisation’s constitution , latest annual accounts, bank statement, safeguarding policy and equality and diversity policies.
  • If you have not been funded by BCF before, we strongly suggest that you also submit a letter of recommendation that validates your work or performance. This could come from an organisation you have worked closely with e.g. your local centre for voluntary service, your local authority, a beneficiary or your service or a fellow charity.
  • Applicants will be informed of the Grants Committee’s decisions in August.
  • Please note that Berkshire Community Foundation received many more applications than we have available funding for, and we cannot guarantee the success of any application.
  • We will not consider applications without the required supporting information submitted by the closing date.