MCS Foundation
About This Funder
The MCS Foundation, legally the MCS Charitable Foundation (charity number 1165752), was established in 2016 to accelerate a carbon-free future for all UK homes by driving adoption of renewable energy and low-carbon technologies. Originating from oversight of the UK's MCS standards scheme for small-scale renewables, it acts as a strategic catalyst for systemic change in the built environment. Guided by values of ambition, evidence-based decisions, collaboration, transparency, and determined action, it convenes partners, funds innovation, scales retrofits, expands skills, and supports research amid the climate emergency.
It prioritises projects advancing home decarbonisation, including whole-home retrofitting, heat pumps, solar renewables, community energy planning, low-carbon workforce development, and policy advocacy. Funded activities encompass pioneering research, proof-of-concept pilots, capacity building, and scalable interventions like the Local Area Retrofit Accelerator (LARA), National Retrofit Hub, and UK Green Building Council collaborations, targeting UK households and vulnerable communities for equitable access. Beneficiaries span England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, social enterprises, academic institutions, and public-sector partners with no income thresholds, provided projects demonstrate strong mission alignment, impact potential, and collaborative approaches. Typical grants range from £5,000 to £50,000 (average ~£46,000; exceptional up to £100,000). Applications are via email (grants@mcsfoundation.org.uk) during the annual open call, opening March and closing early May (next: early May 2026), with decisions by late June; projects start post-July. It excludes building installations, capital refurbishments, transport infrastructure, and non-scalable, one-off efforts. Distinctively, its sector expertise, standards leadership, and rigorous evidence focus set it apart for transformative housing decarbonisation.
Eligibility Checklist
Funding Details
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does MCS Foundation provide?
MCS Foundation typically provides grants ranging from £5,000 - £50,000.
Where does MCS Foundation fund charities?
MCS Foundation funds charities operating in UK.
How do I apply for funding from MCS Foundation?
With Fundermatcher, you describe your charity once and see your compatibility score with MCS Foundation. If you're a good fit, you can start drafting your application immediately using our AI co-pilot — paste each question and word limit, and the co-pilot writes a tailored first draft using your charity's real data and MCS Foundation's priorities. You review and edit every answer before submitting.
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