Mercers Charitable Foundation

Could Mercers Charitable Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: £25,000 – £150,000
Where they fund: Greater London, Norfolk
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Two-stage application
Decisions: Quarterly

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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mercers.co.uk

About Mercers Charitable Foundation

The Mercers Charitable Foundation is the grant-making trust of The Mercers’ Company, established in 1983. It takes a partnership-based, outcomes-led approach, valuing sustainability and long-term relationships with the organisations it supports. The Foundation funds across two main themes: Older People & Housing, and Church & Communities. Its work is rooted in a commitment to building community strength and improving outcomes for families and individuals facing disadvantage. The Foundation favours projects that address poverty, reduce isolation, and support unpaid carers, with a focus on areas including Greater London, the South East, and several other English regions.

What Mercers Charitable Foundation funds

The Foundation supports work under two programmes. The Older People & Housing programme funds projects tackling poverty, mental health, and isolation among older people, with a particular focus on those from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQ+ communities, carers, and disabled people. It covers core costs and project delivery in Greater London and Norfolk. The Church & Communities programme supports community-led responses to poverty, homelessness, and refugee support, as well as whole-family support for unpaid carers. It funds core costs, project delivery, and capital works across Greater London, the South East, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Tees Valley, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk. Priorities include building stronger communities and achieving better outcomes for families and carers.

Who can apply

The Foundation welcomes applications from registered charities, community groups, social enterprises, and faith groups. It does not fund individuals. Beneficiaries of funded work include older people, ethnic minority communities, LGBTQ+ people, carers, disabled people, homeless people, refugees, and the general public. The Foundation prioritises organisations working in its geographic areas, with a particular emphasis on Greater London and the South East. There is no restriction on the faith basis of applicant organisations, though the Church & Communities programme does not fund projects with a primary focus on faith.

What Mercers Charitable Foundation doesn't fund

Under the Older People & Housing programme, the Foundation does not fund capital works. Under the Church & Communities programme, it does not fund work focused solely on young people or older people, general appeals, or costs that have already been incurred. It also does not fund individuals or projects with a primary focus on faith under the Church programme.

How they like to fund

The Foundation offers multi-year funding and supports both core costs and project delivery. It takes an outcomes-led approach, building long-term partnerships with grantees. Unsolicited applications are welcome.

How much does Mercers Charitable Foundation give?

Mercers Charitable Foundation runs 2 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 31 sourced facts

Church & CommunitiesOpen to applications

£10,000 – £120,000

Two-stage process
4 rounds a year
Multi-year funding

Older People & HousingOpen to applications

£50,000 – £120,000

2 rounds a year
Multi-year funding

Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.

What Mercers Charitable Foundation funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

Building Stronger Communities: People in the most disadvantaged communities coming together to address what is important to them; community responses to support people who are refugees or homeless. Better Outcomes for Families and Carers: projects or organisations that provide in-depth whole family support to families facing poverty or other challenges; unpaid carers and their families.

Where they fund

Greater LondonNorfolk

Costs they'll cover

Core costsProject deliveryCapital works & buildings

They don't fund

FaithCapital works & buildingsIndividuals

The full exclusions list (2)

Work solely focused on young people or older people
General appeals or financial support for costs that have already been incurred

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Children & youthEducationOlder peopleFaithArts & culture

How to apply to Mercers Charitable Foundation

Mercers Charitable Foundation takes applications via two-stage application.

Published programme route: two-stage process.
Decisions are typically quarterly.
Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

What Mercers Charitable Foundation's application asks

We hold the 3 questions from Mercers Charitable Foundation's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.

Question 1

“What you want to do and why”

Question 2

“How much funding you need”

1 more question from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.

How it works

1
Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
2
See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
3
Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if Mercers Charitable Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Mercers Charitable Foundation provide?

Mercers Charitable Foundation runs 2 grant programmes — Church & Communities: £10,000 – £120,000 · Older People & Housing: £50,000 – £120,000.

Where does Mercers Charitable Foundation fund charities?

Mercers Charitable Foundation funds charities operating in Greater London, Norfolk.

Does Mercers Charitable Foundation accept unsolicited applications?

Mercers Charitable Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

What does Mercers Charitable Foundation not fund?

Their published exclusions include: Work solely focused on young people or older people; General appeals or financial support for costs that have already been incurred. The full exclusions list is further up this page.

How do I apply for funding from Mercers Charitable Foundation?

Mercers Charitable Foundation takes applications via two-stage application. Published programme route: two-stage process.