The W G Edwards Charitable Foundation

Generally, capital grants of between £1,000 and £1,500 are available for UK registered charities supporting older people aged 65 and over.

The W G Edwards Foundation normally has very short application windows of just 5 days.  The Foundation aims to assist with the provision of care for older people aged 65 and over through existing charities, principally with capital projects but also other innovative schemes for ongoing care, in particular by:

• Supporting as many projects as possible, even if this means smaller individual grants
• Donating to refurbishment/building projects nearing completion rather than those in the planning stage
• Supporting all kinds of groups of older people
• Sponsoring individual named items of expenditure rather than donating into a pool or an unrestricted fund, and
• Ensuring that any funding is properly spent on those specific items sponsored.

Projects should fall into one of the following two categories:

Health and welfare - grants are for the refurbishment of residential care housing for the elderly and for building projects which are nearing completion. Consideration will also be given to the provision of equipment and furniture to enhance care and improve quality of life, and/or

Community and innovation - grants for community initiatives such as exercise classes for the over-65s, lunch clubs, horticultural therapy and day trips.  Consideration will also be given to technology projects aimed at benefitting those aged 65 and over.

While there are no minimum or maximum grant award levels, the vast majority of grants tend to be for between £1,000 and £1,500.  There is no specified requirement for matched funding.

Applications should be made following the guidance on the Foundation’s website.  An online application form is available on the website.