Generally, capital grants of between £1,000 and £3,000 are available for UK registered charities with an annual turnover of under £100,000 that are supporting older people aged 65 and over.
The W G Edwards Foundation usually has 4 application deadlines each year, on 10 March, 10 June, 10 September and 10 December. However, although there are no material uncertainties about the Foundation's future, it has decided to pause applications until September 2025.
The aims of the Foundation are 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 £3,000. There is no specified requirement for matched funding.
UK registered charities providing services to older people may apply, providing the charity has an annual turnover of £100,000 or less and has been registered as a charity for at least 2 years.
The Foundation usually meets 4 times each year to review applications. The next application deadline is scheduled for Wednesday 10 September 2025.
Applications should be made in writing following the guidance on the Foundation’s website.