THE WOLFSON FOUNDATION: CAPITAL FUNDING FOR UK CHARITIES WORKING WITH OLDER PEOPLE
Capital grants, normally for between £25,000 and £75,000, are available to UK registered charities and local authorities providing care and services for older people, particularly if they have a neurodegenerative condition or are socially isolated. Grants are awarded for new buildings, refurbishment work and equipment.
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o Application deadline: SUNDAY 5th JANUARY 2025 at 23:59 for Stage 1 Applications. The deadline for Stage 2 applications is SATURDAY 1st MARCH 2025 at 23:59.
o Funder: The Wolfson Foundation (founded 1955. Charity number 1156077. Total value of all grants awarded during the year ended 31 March 2023: £38,047,000 (2022: £37,516,946; 2021: £35,718,852)).
o Who can apply: UK registered charities and local authorities.
o Key Words: Capital, Buildings, Refurbishment, Equipment, Older People, Care services, Neurogenerative Conditions, Social Isolation, Infrastructure, Disability, Health. Organisational Financial Stability, United Kingdom.
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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 £25,000. Grant awards are normally in the range of £40,000 – £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 2023, the Foundation made around 200 grants totalling just over £38 million.
Details of all grants awarded during the year are provided on pages 28-52 of the Foundation’s Annual Report and Financial Statements. Grants awarded under the heading ‘Disability, Health and Older People’, which totalled £2,777,300, are listed on pages 38-41.
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. Stage 1 application deadline: Sunday 5th January 2025 at 23:59.
3. Stage 2 application deadline: Saturday 1st March 2025 at 23:59.
4. Funding decisions are scheduled to be announced in June 2025.
Further information, guidance and details about how to apply is available on the Wolfson Foundation website.