Leeds Benevolent Society for Single Ladies

The Society supports work that alleviates poverty, reduces social isolation, and addresses health challenges among elderly single women in Leeds. This includes regular cash payments, benefits in kind, emergency grants, and funding for social activities that combat loneliness. It also funds female geriatric health research and social enterprises that address health, safety, sickness, and disability. Past examples include grants to organisations such as Caring Together and Seacroft Friends and Neighbours for core costs and isolation-relief initiatives. All funded work must be exclusively for elderly single women and based within the Leeds area.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, community groups, or social enterprises working exclusively with elderly single women in Leeds. The Society has a preference for small, grassroots operations that serve this specific demographic. Applicants must demonstrate a focus on elderly single women resident in Leeds, and enquiries must begin via phone or post referral, with trustees assessing needs discretionarily. Unsolicited applications are not accepted.

The Society does not fund activities outside Leeds, non-qualifying beneficiaries, or open calls. It excludes work that does not focus on elderly single women or that takes place beyond the Leeds area. Unsolicited applications are not accepted.

The Society adopts a needs-led, flexible approach, prioritising sustained wellbeing over short-term fixes. It provides funding to both individuals in acute need and small local organisations, supporting core costs and specific projects. Grants are typically one-off or ongoing based on assessed need. The Society works by referral and invitation rather than open call, with enquiries starting via phone or post. Funding is decided discretionarily by trustees.