The cost-of-living crisis means that this winter will be one of the toughest we have faced for decades. Many older people are already extremely anxious about rising bills, with concerns that they will find themselves living in fuel poverty this winter.

The Warm this Winter Fund will offer grants of up to £3,000 for Northamptonshire-based projects that focus on protecting and helping older people who are vulnerable during the winter months.

Grants awarded by the Warm this Winter Fund will meet at least two of six aims:

• Keep home warm
• Dress for warmth
• Stay warm at night
• Eat well
• Keep active
• Provide support and advice services - advice on energy consumption and payments, benefit eligibility checks or debt advice

Examples of the types of eligible project activities include the following:

• Volunteer-led community projects that promote healthy lifestyles for older people
• Activities that reduce isolation or that provide social activity for vulnerable older people to prevent loneliness
• Activities that provide help for older people that need support to live in their own homes

This fund is a rolling programme, meaning organisations can apply at any time.

Follow this link to make an application: Warm this Winter

Please note that any applications received after Friday 29th November will be reviewed in January 2025.

Is my group eligible?

• Your group must be a small, locally managed, voluntary, community or self-help group. Please note that as a general exclusion we do not fund social enterprises with persons with significant control (PSC).
• You must be based in Northamptonshire
• You must have a set of written rules or constitution that your group adheres to, that contains a dissolution clause specific to Northamptonshire. We can help advise you on how to do this especially if you are a new group
• You must have safeguarding policies in place if relevant to your work and all groups must have and equalities policy in place

For more information about eligibility and information on supporting documents please visit our Help for Groups section.

Please read the guidance notes and download the reference form and supporting documents checklist at the bottom of the page before applying.

Northamptonshire Community Foundation can provide advice and guidance during the application process as well as viewing draft applications prior to submission. Call the grants team on 01604 230033 for more information.

Please click here to view our Diversity Statement applicable to our grant awards.

If you are unsure about any of the above text or have any other queries, please contact the Grants Team on 01604 230033 or email enquiries@ncf.uk.com for further contact details.