Independent Age

Independent Age funds advice and community support for older people aged 65 and over, especially those in financial hardship. They support work that helps older people access benefits, reduce essential costs, prevent eviction, and avoid fuel poverty. Programmes have targeted communities such as Blackpool and Wyre, East Lindsey, Hastings, Thanet, Torbay, Rhyl, Kingston upon Hull, Nottingham, Camden, Islington, Haringey, Argyll and Bute, Highlands, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Orkney, Shetland, and Wrexham. The charity focuses on rural and coastal areas and places with high deprivation across England, Scotland, and Wales. They fund both project and core costs.

Registered charities working with older people in England, Scotland, and Wales can apply. Independent Age prioritises local organisations that are best placed to reach older people experiencing financial hardship. Organisations in active funding with Independent Age are not eligible to apply. They do not fund individuals, unincorporated associations, community interest companies, or social enterprises. There is no faith restriction. Their focus is on charities that can deliver advice and support to older people aged 65 and over who are more likely to be in poverty.

Independent Age does not fund capital works, retrospective costs, or individuals. Organisations in active funding with them are also excluded. They do not accept multiple applications from the same organisation within a funding round. Unincorporated associations, community interest companies, and social enterprises are not eligible.

Independent Age provides grants for both project and core costs, offering multi-year and one-off funding depending on the programme. They welcome unsolicited applications and do not require match funding. Their approach favours local organisations best placed to deliver advice and support to older people in poverty. They fund charities to grow or develop their advice work, aiming to provide a rapid response to financial hardship where needed.