Funding to support older people
Over the past year we have been reviewing our grant making programme.
We have listened to feedback from local groups and charities as to how we can improve what we do and maximise our impact in all our communities. As a result of this we have made some changes to how we work.
We have simplified our grant making programme
We are now open to small grass roots organisations who are not registered as a charity.
We will specifically fund activities and projects that further the needs of our ageing adult population through well-being activities and programmes to prevent social isolation and loneliness.
We have lowered our age category to support the over 55’s.
We will further support you by connecting you to one of our local offices so you can build even more support in your local area.
We have new guidelines for applications and criteria that you must fulfil to be eligible to apply for a grant. These are:
We will give priority to applications that have a connection to, and are championed by, a local Home Instead office.
If you are a small grass roots organisation you can apply for funding up to £500.
If you are a small local registered charity you can apply for funding up to £1,500. Larger grants can be considered for exceptional projects.
If your group is a registered charity you must attach a copy of your governing document AND your last set of accounts. If either of these documents are missing we will not be able to process your application
Most of your group members must be over 55 years old or the project you are requesting funding for must benefit people aged over 55
The project must support its members through activities and projects that support wellbeing or reduce social isolation and/or loneliness
Your group must be open and inclusive irrespective of race, religion, sex or sexual orientation
We will only fund individuals if it is to provide access to your group, i.e. transport costs or communications devices to access your groups activities.
We will only fully fund grant requests from organisations who hold no more than 3 months operating costs in reserve. If you have more than this, the charity will only co-fund your project up to a maximum 50% of the funding required.
We will consider applications from groups, associations and charities that do not service the over 50s directly but the project they require funding for does, i.e. a local school wishes to hold a special afternoon tea for its local care home residents.
If you are a registered charity your application must be accompanied by a copy of your constitution and annual accounts.
Please bear in mind we are a small charity with limited resource. Funding is limited and so we will prioritise those applications that are championed by a local Home Instead Office. If you do not have a current connection, we will work with you and your local Home Instead Office to raise the funds that you need but this may take more time. Please build this into your funding timescales as it could take up to 6 months.
We aim to fulfil all eligible requests for funding, but limited resources means that this may not be possible.
What we can fund:
Regular weekly or monthly events and activities such as weekly cinema club, weekly knit and natter or Thursday lunch club
One off activities such as a day trip or a Christmas lunch
Activities such as yoga or a guest speaker for your group such as a local historian
What we aren’t able to fund:
Salaries
Core/running costs
Capital and/or revenue projects
set up costs
You group MUST have a bank account in the SAME name of the Group you are applying for funding under.
For more information, and to apply, visit: https://www.homeinstead.co.uk/charities/apply-for-a-grant/