Introduction
The McCarthy Stone Foundation is an independent UK grantmaking charity that supports grassroots organisations working to improve the wellbeing, inclusion and social connection of older people.
History and Background
The McCarthy Stone Foundation was launched in November 2020 to extend McCarthy Stone’s commitment to the wellbeing and happiness of older people into communities across the United Kingdom.
McCarthy Stone develops and manages retirement communities designed to help older people live independently while remaining connected to others. The Foundation was established to support older people beyond these retirement communities, particularly those experiencing loneliness, isolation, poor health or financial hardship.
During its first year, the Foundation raised more than £230,000 and supported 40 charitable causes through grants, volunteering and other forms of assistance.
The organisation has since expanded its grantmaking, fundraising and partnerships. It has awarded more than £1 million to over 450 charitable causes since its launch.
The McCarthy Stone Foundation is an independent Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England and Wales under charity number 1191504.
Mission and Purpose
The Foundation’s vision is a society in which older people are valued, connected and actively engaged with their communities.
Its mission is to help grassroots charities and community groups support older people by engaging McCarthy Stone employees, customers, suppliers and business partners.
The Foundation prioritises initiatives that reduce loneliness and social isolation, strengthen community connections and create a sense of purpose in later life.
Its work also promotes intergenerational activity, community participation, physical and mental wellbeing, dementia support and the regeneration of spaces where people can meet.
The Foundation believes that small, community-based organisations are often best placed to understand local needs and reach older people who may not engage with larger services.
Focus Areas
The McCarthy Stone Foundation’s principal focus areas are older people, social isolation, loneliness, community connection, dementia support, health and wellbeing, intergenerational engagement and inclusive community activities.
It supports organisations that create opportunities for people aged 65 and over to meet others, build relationships, participate in meaningful activities and remain connected to their communities.
Projects may include befriending services, social groups, community meals, transport, dementia activities, creative workshops, gardening, music, volunteering and intergenerational programs.
The Foundation can support both project expenses and core organisational costs, depending on the requirements of a particular funding round.
Governance and Organisational Structure
The McCarthy Stone Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Trustees.
The trustees are responsible for setting strategy, approving grants, monitoring finances, managing risk and ensuring that the charity fulfils its legal and charitable obligations.
A grants subcommittee helps review shortlisted applications and make recommendations to the full Board of Trustees.
The Foundation has strengthened its governance through trustee skills assessments, the recruitment of trustees with specialist knowledge and improved grant-management and accounting systems.
A small operational team manages fundraising, applicant communication, due diligence, grant administration, impact reporting and relationships with supported organisations.
Although McCarthy Stone provides significant financial and organisational support, the Foundation is legally established as an independent charitable organisation.
Funding Mechanisms
The McCarthy Stone Foundation raises money through donations, employee fundraising, customer contributions, supplier partnerships, sponsored activities and corporate match funding.
Employees and supporters participate in walking challenges, golf days, gala dinners, competitions and other fundraising events.
McCarthy Stone provides corporate match funding for eligible money raised by employees, customers and supply-chain partners. This allows community fundraising to generate additional resources for grantmaking.
In 2024, the Foundation reported total income of £716,428. It awarded £514,152 to 134 charitable organisations, supporting more than 22,000 older people.
The Foundation also works with McCarthy Stone’s business partners and suppliers, whose donations and sponsorship help finance community grants.
Grant Programs
The McCarthy Stone Foundation runs several grant programs throughout the year for organisations supporting people aged 65 and over.
Its main funding model is based on the principle of “small grants, big difference.” The Foundation directs relatively modest awards to grassroots groups that can use the funding to create visible and meaningful local impact.
Eligible organisations generally need an annual income below £250,000. Individual grant rounds may include additional geographic, organisational or activity-based requirements.
Grant amounts differ between programs. The Foundation’s larger community funding rounds may offer unrestricted or project grants of up to £7,500, while seasonal programs usually provide smaller awards for time-specific activities.
Applicants should always review the current guidance because grant amounts, eligible locations, deadlines and funding priorities may change.
Festive Connections Grant Program
The Festive Connections program supports activities that help older people feel connected and included during the Christmas and New Year period.
For the 2026 round, the Foundation is offering grants of up to £750 to eligible organisations running activities between 1 December 2026 and 2 January 2027.
Funding can support festive meals, community gatherings, social activities, transport, venue hire, befriending and other costs directly related to bringing people aged 65 and over together.
Applications opened on 23 September 2026 and are scheduled to close at 5:00 p.m. on 15 October 2026.
The program recognises that the festive season can be particularly difficult for older people who live alone or do not have relatives and friends nearby.
Community Grantmaking
The Foundation’s broader community grants support charities and community groups that help older people become more connected, active and engaged.
Funding may be used for new projects, the continuation of existing services or the core costs required to keep an organisation operating.
The Foundation recognises that grassroots charities need flexible funding for rent, utilities, insurance, staffing, volunteer coordination and other essential expenses.
This approach allows grant recipients to allocate resources according to their most urgent organisational needs.
A significant proportion of the organisations supported by the Foundation have annual incomes below £100,000, demonstrating its focus on small community charities.
Dementia Grants
The Foundation operates targeted funding rounds for charities and community organisations supporting people living with dementia.
These grants can fund social activities, dementia-friendly services, support groups, creative programs and community-based interventions.
Eligible projects may also assist carers and relatives by providing practical support, social connection and opportunities for shared activities.
The Foundation’s dementia funding reflects the close relationship between cognitive health, isolation, family wellbeing and continued community participation.
Place-Based Grantmaking
The McCarthy Stone Foundation uses community and deprivation data to help guide some funding decisions.
Its place-based approach prioritises locations where income deprivation, isolation and loneliness among older people are particularly severe.
Data from organisations and institutions such as the Office for National Statistics, Age UK and the Centre for Ageing Better may be used to identify priority communities.
Some grant rounds therefore accept applications only from organisations serving specified towns, wards or neighbourhoods.
This approach helps the Foundation direct its limited resources toward communities with significant and measurable needs.
Who Can Apply?
The Foundation primarily supports grassroots charities and community organisations operating in the United Kingdom.
Applicants generally need an annual income below £250,000 and must demonstrate that their activities benefit people aged 65 and over.
Organisations should have appropriate governance arrangements, a bank account in the organisation’s name and the ability to manage charitable funds responsibly.
Applicants must explain the need being addressed, the people who will benefit, the proposed use of the funding and the expected results.
Eligibility conditions vary between funding rounds. Organisations should examine the specific grant guidance before beginning an application.
Grant Assessment Process
Applications are initially reviewed by the Foundation’s team for eligibility, completeness and alignment with charitable priorities.
The team may conduct due diligence and request additional information from applicants.
Shortlisted applications are reviewed by a grants committee or subcommittee, which makes funding recommendations to the Board of Trustees.
The trustees make the final grant decisions.
Applications are generally assessed according to impact, need, organisational capability and the appropriateness of the proposed budget.
The Foundation also considers whether its grant will make a meaningful difference to the project, organisation and community.
What Makes a Strong Application?
A strong application clearly describes what will change because of the funding and who will benefit.
Applicants should provide measurable outputs and outcomes. Outputs describe what the organisation will deliver, while outcomes explain the changes participants are expected to experience.
For example, an output may be the number of social sessions delivered, while an outcome may be reduced loneliness or improved confidence among participants.
Applicants should provide realistic budgets and explain why the requested expenses are necessary.
Applications should also demonstrate knowledge of the target community, evidence of local need and an appropriate method for monitoring results.
Core and Unrestricted Funding
The McCarthy Stone Foundation recognises the importance of core and unrestricted financial support.
Many small charities struggle to secure funding for essential operating expenses because funders often prefer to finance visible projects.
However, organisations cannot deliver effective services without staff, premises, insurance, utilities, administration and volunteer management.
The Foundation has awarded unrestricted funding to help grassroots organisations maintain services and respond flexibly to changing needs.
This type of support can improve organisational resilience and allow charities to make decisions based on local circumstances.
Volunteering and Practical Support
The Foundation’s contribution extends beyond financial grants.
McCarthy Stone employees, customers and partners can support charities through volunteering, fundraising and practical project assistance.
Volunteers may help with community events, gardening, refurbishment, social activities and other initiatives.
The Foundation can also connect charitable organisations with the skills and resources available across the McCarthy Stone network.
This combination of grants, volunteer time and practical assistance can increase the value of the original financial award.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
In 2024, the Foundation awarded more than £514,000 to 134 charitable organisations and reported reaching over 22,000 older people.
Supported initiatives have included befriending services, dementia programs, intergenerational music activities, seasonal meals and social groups.
Funding has helped charities provide winter gift bags, transport isolated older people and organise activities that improve physical and mental wellbeing.
The Foundation awarded funding to Sydenham Garden for its Sow and Grow program, which supports people living with dementia through gardening, social interaction and therapeutic activities.
It has supported LGBT Hero in providing online and in-person social support for older LGBTQ+ people experiencing isolation.
Age Concern Barnstaple and North Devon received core support for facilities, staff and volunteer expenses connected to dementia services.
Other funded organisations have used grants to deliver community brunches, music workshops, befriending activities and social-prescribing programs.
Monitoring and Impact Reporting
Grant recipients are expected to explain how funding was used and what difference it made.
Where funding supports a defined project, organisations report on the project’s activities, participation and outcomes.
Recipients of core funding explain how the grant strengthened their organisation and helped maintain services.
The Foundation generally agrees on one to three measurable objectives at the beginning of a grant.
This reporting approach is designed to remain proportionate because many funded organisations have small teams and limited administrative capacity.
The Foundation seeks to balance accountability with a simple and accessible monitoring process.
Transparency and Accountability
The McCarthy Stone Foundation publishes trustees’ annual reports and financial accounts.
These reports explain how the Foundation raises money, selects recipients and distributes charitable funds.
The organisation also shares information about funded projects, grant amounts and assessment methods.
Its commitment to grantmaking transparency is intended to help organisations assess their eligibility before investing time in an application.
Publishing clear guidance can reduce unsuitable applications and make the funding process fairer for small charities.
Why the Foundation Matters
Loneliness and social isolation can negatively affect the physical health, mental wellbeing and independence of older people.
Grassroots organisations provide vital services, but many operate with small budgets, limited staff and uncertain income.
The McCarthy Stone Foundation helps address this gap by directing grants and practical support to locally rooted organisations.
Its willingness to provide core funding is particularly important because it allows small charities to maintain the infrastructure needed to continue serving their communities.
By combining corporate resources, employee fundraising, volunteering and targeted grantmaking, the Foundation connects a national business network with local community needs.
Conclusion
The McCarthy Stone Foundation is an independent UK grantmaking charity dedicated to helping older people remain valued, connected and engaged in their communities.
Since launching in 2020, it has awarded more than £1 million to over 450 charitable causes, supporting grassroots organisations that address loneliness, dementia, health, wellbeing and social isolation.
Its funding model combines community grants, seasonal initiatives, unrestricted support, volunteering and corporate match funding.
Through transparent grantmaking and a focus on small organisations, the Foundation helps local charities sustain essential services and create meaningful opportunities for older people across the United Kingdom.
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