Masonic Charitable Foundation Launches Later Life Inclusion Grants Programme

Grants for local and national charities in England and Wales that are working to reduce loneliness and isolation in later life.

The Foundation has set out new target areas for its grant-making programme which includes the Reducing Isolation in Later Life Grants programme. Over the next five years, the MCF will be supporting charities that help people to overcome barriers to actively participate in society in their later years.

Depending on their annual income level, registered charities that support disadvantaged and vulnerable older people over 50 years of age in England and Wales can apply for either:

• Large grants, which are for projects and can be used for salary costs, activities, materials, etc, start from £10,000 and are available to charities with an annual income exceeding £500,000. The average large grant will range from £20,000 to £80,000. Occasionally, large grants of up to £200,000 are made for outstanding projects.
• Small grants, which are for core funding, are between £500 and £15,000 and are available to charities with an income of under £500,000.

All grants can be over one, two, or three years. Grant amounts should not exceed 15% of the total income of the applicant charity. Charities can only apply for one grant programme at a time.

The funding will help people who face social isolation or loneliness due to reasons such as financial hardship, care responsibilities, a decline in physical or mental health, or life transitions including retirement or bereavement. The support will help to provide a range of services to support the physical and emotional needs of people as they age, including community-based programmes and access to healthcare, transport and technology.

There are two different deadlines:

• 5 October 2018 for large grants applications (first stage).
• 26 October 2018 for small grants applications.

Full details…