Applications closed on 15 October 2026.

Many funders run the same grant every year, so check the funder’s site for a new round. The details below are what the funder published when it was open.

McCarthy Stone Foundation

Festive Connections Grants Programme

Grants of up to £750 (no minimum) for small charities, community groups and CICs in England, Scotland and Wales with income under £250,000 to run activities between 1 December 2026 and 2 January 2027 that help people aged 65 and over feel connected during the festive period, such as Christmas meals, gatherings, transport or befriending. The emphasis is on social connection rather than just gifts or food parcels, with priority for areas of higher deprivation affecting older people. Applications close 15 October 2026 at 5pm; the £38,000 pot is expected to fund more than 50 organisations.

Check the funder’s site

Open grants like this

Grants you can apply for now, for the same kind of work or place.

You could get: Up to £750
Deadline: Closed; the deadline has passed
Effort: Light; short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

Registered charities, exempt charities, constituted community groups and Community Interest Companies limited by guarantee operating in England, Scotland or Wales, with annual income under £250,000 (from the most recent annual report or accounts)
Applicants should hold less than 12 months of running costs in unrestricted free reserves and have a clear reserves policy, unless they can explain a legitimate reason for higher reserves
The activity must serve people aged 65 and over
Priority goes to organisations showing clear need, and when all else is equal to those working in areas with higher deprivation affecting older people (IDAOPI in England, WIMD in Wales, SIMD in Scotland)
Northern Ireland is not included

What it funds

A specific festive activity or project taking place between 1 December 2026 and 2 January 2027 that provides connection, social engagement or companionship for people aged 65 and over. Examples:

Christmas lunches or festive meals
Food and refreshments for a community Christmas event
Venue hire
Festive activities, entertainment or crafts
Community transport to help people attend
Volunteer expenses and staff costs directly related to delivering the activity
Small gifts or hampers provided as part of a wider social connection or befriending activity
Festive befriending visits

The activity can be open to a wider age group, but the funding must benefit people aged 65 and over.

Maximum £750, no minimum.

What it will not fund

Grants to individuals
Unrestricted core funding
Activities outside 1 December 2026 to 2 January 2027
CICs not limited by guarantee
Organisations with annual income of £250,000 or more
Hampers or gifts alone with no social connection element (less aligned with the programme)

How to apply

Read the Festive Connections Grant Guidance to check eligibility
Complete the online application form on the Foundation's website (mccarthystonefoundation.org/apply) covering what your organisation does, who you support, the festive activity, how many people aged 65+ will benefit, why it is needed, how the funding will help and your financial position
Give your registered office (or primary postal) address and identify your region of operation using the divisional map linked in the form
Submit by 5pm on Thursday 15 October 2026
The Foundation team shortlists and carries out due diligence in October; Trustees agree recommendations by 23 October 2026
Successful applicants are informed by 30 October 2026 and paid shortly afterwards; unsuccessful applicants are informed by 6 November 2026

Ask only for what you need; there is no expectation to request the full £750. Detailed feedback is not given to everyone but can be requested. Questions go through the website contact page.

Have ready

Note: No documents are listed; the form asks about your organisation's financial position, and income is judged on your most recent annual report or accounts.