Request for Applications: Festive Connections Grants Programme (United Kingdom)

The McCarthy Stone Foundation offers the Festive Connections programme, providing grants of up to £750 to organisations running festive activities that help people aged 65 and over feel connected and included during the holiday period. Funding supports activities taking place between 1 December 2026 and 2 January 2027. Applications close at 5pm on Thursday 15 October 2026. The Festive Connections programme is designed to help people aged 65 and over feel connected, included, and part of their community during the festive period. The programme supports organisations to run activities that create opportunities for older people to come together, socialise, and enjoy festive experiences. Applicants are asked to align their proposed work with the Foundation’s focus areas (connection, intergenerational relationships, community spaces, loneliness and connection support, and group-based social engagement).

Important: The source states that funding is only open to organisations with an annual income of less than £250,000.

Funding is open to organisations with an annual income of less than £250,000, including: Additional eligibility requirements stated in the application form: The form instructs applicants to read the Festive Connections Grants Programme Guidance before completing the application. Not specified in the source: the full list of eligibility exclusions beyond the income threshold and Northern Ireland/overseas restriction. The application form asks applicants to choose the best description(s) of the work being funded. Options include: The Foundation also specifies that grants are for organisations running activities between 1 December 2026 and 2 January 2027 that create opportunities for people aged 65+ to come together. This grant programme targets a specific seasonal need: helping older people maintain social connection and community belonging during the festive period. By funding practical costs such as meals, transport, venue hire, and befriending, the programme supports organisations to reduce barriers to participation for people aged 65 and over. Applicants are also expected to describe how their work will benefit older people and what changes they expect as a result, including how they will assess impact. The application form states you should read the Festive Connections Grants Programme Guidance before completing your application. The form collects organisational details, income and reserves information, and project information (including the amount requested and how funds will be spent). For Festive Connections, the form indicates you should select Project (even though the form also allows Core Costs).

Official application page: McCarthy Stone Foundation – Application Form

Required documents: Not specified in the source. The form includes questions about income and reserves and notes that supporting evidence is not required unless requested later. What is the McCarthy Stone Foundation Festive Connections programme? It is a grants programme that helps organisations run festive activities so that people aged 65 and over feel connected, included, and part of their community during the festive period. How much funding can my organisation apply for? The programme offers grants of up to £750. The form indicates funding can support either core costs or projects (and for Festive Connections you should select Project). What dates must the funded activities take place? Activities must be run between 1 December 2026 and 2 January 2027. Who can apply? Organisations with an annual income of less than £250,000, including registered charities, exempt charities, constituted community groups, and CICs limited by guarantee. Where can the activity take place? The form asks applicants to select regions including Scotland, Wales, London & South East, Southern, Midlands, and Northern. The form also states the Foundation does not fund in Northern Ireland or overseas. When is the application deadline? What information is required in the application form? The form requests organisational details (including address and website), income and free reserves information, and project details such as the amount requested, how the work aligns with the Foundation’s focus areas, expected beneficiaries, and how funds will be spent. If you meet the income and eligibility requirements and your planned activity supports people aged 65+ between 1 December 2026 and 2 January 2027, review the Festive Connections Grants Programme Guidance and complete the online application before 5pm on 15 October 2026. For the most accurate requirements, follow the instructions provided in the official guidance and application form.