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.
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.