Call for Proposals: Older People’s Fund 2026 – Round 3 (UK)

The Older People’s Fund 2026 Round 3, launched by Independent Age, provides funding support to charities helping older carers aged 65 and above who experience financial hardship. The programme funds advice, advocacy, community-based support, and practical assistance that improve financial wellbeing, reduce financial pressures, and help older carers access essential services.

About the Older People’s Fund 2026

The Older People’s Fund 2026 Round 3 supports charities that provide advice and support services for older carers experiencing financial difficulties.

The programme is designed to help older carers who face challenges such as:

Reduced income due to caring responsibilities.
Increased household expenses.
Housing difficulties.
Difficulty accessing benefits and financial support.
Social isolation and limited access to services.

The fund aims to ensure older carers receive practical, accessible, and community-based support that improves their quality of life.

Purpose of the Fund

The main purpose of the Older People’s Fund is to strengthen services that support older carers through:

Financial advice and guidance.
Access to benefits and entitlements.
Support with household costs.
Housing advice and assistance.
Advocacy services.
Community outreach.
Volunteer-led support.
Improved referral systems.

The programme particularly focuses on reaching hidden carers who may not identify themselves as carers or may struggle to access existing support services.

Priority Areas Supported

Funded projects should improve financial wellbeing for older carers through activities such as:

Income Support and Benefits Advice

Projects may help older carers:

Understand available benefits and entitlements.
Apply for financial assistance.
Maximise household income.
Access specialist advice services.

Household Cost Support

Projects may provide guidance on:

Managing household expenses.
Reducing financial pressure.
Accessing cost-saving support programmes.

Housing Support

Support may include:

Housing advice.
Home repair guidance.
Accessibility adaptations.
Homelessness prevention support.

Community-Based Advice and Outreach

Projects may include:

In-person advice sessions.
Outreach activities.
Volunteer support.
Community engagement programmes.
Referral pathway development.

Funding Available

The programme provides multi-year funding support.

Individual Organisation Funding

Eligible organisations may apply for:

Up to £150,000 over three years.

Partnership Funding

Partnerships involving two or more eligible organisations may apply for:

Up to £210,000 over three years.

Eligible Use of Funding

Funding may support:

Project delivery costs.
A reasonable contribution towards core organisational costs.
Staff supervision.
Monitoring and evaluation.
Collaboration activities.
Learning and engagement activities.
Volunteer support.
Training activities.

Funded projects must begin:

From 1 February 2027, or within two months of this date.
No later than 1 April 2027.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be registered charities meeting the required organisational conditions.

Applicants must have:

Registration with the Charity Commission or OSCR.
Minimum annual income of £100,000.
At least three unrelated trustees.
A named organisational bank account.
Two unrelated bank signatories.
At least three years of operation.
Two sets of filed accounts.

Organisations must also have:

Safeguarding policies.
Equity, diversity and inclusion policies.
Conflict of interest policies.
Experience delivering advice and support services.
Strong links with local communities.

Eligible Locations

Projects must provide in-person advice and support for older carers living in:

Edinburgh.
Birmingham.
Bournemouth.
Christchurch and Poole.
Dorset.
Cornwall.
Leeds.

Who Cannot Apply?

The following are not eligible:

Individuals.
Private applicants.
Unincorporated associations.
Statutory organisations.
Organisations currently funded by Independent Age.
Capital-only projects.
Retrospective funding requests.
Applications providing direct grants to individuals.

How to Apply

The application process includes two main stages.

Stage 1: Expression of Interest

Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest.

The initial application should explain:

Organisation background.
Community need.
Target beneficiaries.
Proposed activities.
Expected outcomes.

Stage 2: Full Application

Shortlisted organisations will be invited to submit a detailed application.

The full application should include:

Detailed project plan.
Budget information.
Delivery approach.
Evidence of organisational capacity.
Monitoring and evaluation methods.

Assessment Process

Applications will be reviewed through:

Merit Assessment

Applications will be assessed on:

Alignment with fund objectives.
Quality of proposed support.
Understanding of older carers’ needs.
Community reach.
Expected impact.
Financial value.

Due Diligence Checks

Independent Age will review:

Organisation governance.
Financial sustainability.
Policies and procedures.
Delivery capacity.

Final Decision

Recommendations will be reviewed by:

Grants panel.
Board of Trustees.

Approximately:

20 organisations may be invited to submit full applications.
Around 10 projects are expected to receive funding.

Why This Fund Matters

Older carers often experience financial challenges because caring responsibilities can affect employment, income, health, and household stability.

This funding helps organisations:

Identify isolated older carers.
Improve access to essential advice.
Reduce financial hardship.
Strengthen community support networks.
Improve independence and wellbeing.

Benefits for Funded Organisations

Successful organisations can gain:

Long-term project funding.
Support for community-based services.
Opportunities for collaboration.
Improved capacity to reach vulnerable carers.
Resources for evaluation and learning.

Tips for Applicants

Applicants should:

Clearly explain the financial challenges faced by older carers.
Demonstrate local community knowledge.
Show experience delivering advice services.
Explain how hidden carers will be reached.
Provide realistic budgets and measurable outcomes.
Highlight partnerships and referral networks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying without meeting eligibility requirements.
Proposing projects unrelated to older carers.
Focusing only on general activities without financial wellbeing outcomes.
Submitting unclear budgets.
Failing to demonstrate safeguarding and governance systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Older People’s Fund 2026?

The Older People’s Fund 2026 is a funding programme by Independent Age supporting charities that help older carers facing financial hardship.

Who can benefit from funded projects?

The fund supports older carers aged 65 and above who experience financial challenges related to caring responsibilities.

How much funding can organisations receive?

Individual organisations can receive up to £150,000 over three years, while partnerships can apply for up to £210,000.

Can partnerships apply for funding?

Yes. Two or more eligible organisations can apply together if all partners meet the eligibility requirements.

What types of activities are supported?

The fund supports advice services, outreach, advocacy, volunteer programmes, housing support, benefits guidance, and community-based assistance.

Are individuals eligible to apply?

No. The fund is only available to eligible registered charities and not-for-profit organisations meeting the required conditions.

When must funded projects begin?

Projects must begin from 1 February 2027 and no later than 1 April 2027.

Conclusion

The Older People’s Fund 2026 Round 3 provides vital support for charities helping older carers overcome financial hardship and access essential services. By funding advice, outreach, advocacy, and community-based solutions, the programme strengthens support systems for older carers and promotes financial security, independence, and wellbeing.

Successful organisations must meet eligibility requirements, demonstrate strong community impact, complete monitoring and reporting responsibilities, and where required, undertake training to support older people experiencing financial hardship.