Grants for organisations
The Sir George Earle Benevolent Fund makes grants through selected community foundations across the UK to support community projects for older people that reduce isolation and loneliness, improve wellbeing and meet local social needs.
About the Sir George Earle Benevolent Fund for organisations
The Sir George Earle Benevolent Fund provides national grants through selected community foundations (listed below) to support local community projects for older people in specific areas which are in or adjacent to areas where the original fund was in operation.
The fund prioritises initiatives that reduce loneliness and isolation, improve access to social activities and respond to local social or economic needs.
UK Community Foundations administers the fund and distributes the amount available each year to participating community foundations, ensuring funding is distributed evenly in each local area.
Some community foundations run an open grants programmes, while some incorporate the funds into other existing grants for eligible groups.
The below community foundations cover different areas of the UK, and not all of them receive funds each year. However, in 2025/26, all 15 areas are included in the fund.
Community foundations award these grants differently in different areas. Please click their links below for more information:
Community Foundation for Northern Ireland
Community Foundation North East
Heart of England Community Foundation
Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation
Oxfordshire Community Foundation
South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation
Community Foundation for Staffordshire and Shropshire
Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation
Where is your local community foundation?
Our map shows all community foundations in our network. Simply add your postcode and check your nearest community foundation against the list above. Note that Foundation Scotland serves all of Scotland, Community Foundation for Northern Ireland serves all of Northern Ireland, and Community Foundation Wales serves all of Wales.