Grace Muriel Legacy Fund Small Grants Fund 2026
Grants Guidelines
Group Grants Closed
The Grace Muriel Small Grants Fund for community groups is now closed.
To register your interest for the next round in 2027 please email us on GMLF@staopt.org so we can add you to the Groups mailing list.
Closing date – Friday 20 March 2026 at 5pm
It is important that you read these notes before starting your application.
Funding priorities
Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed project fits within one or more of the following two themes identified by St Albans Old People’s Trust:
- Improved physical health, mental health or general wellbeing for residents aged 60 or over.
- Reduced financial distress for residents aged 60 or over.
Amount of funding:
Groups can apply for grants under £5,000.
Key dates
- Launch event: Monday 26 January 2026 4-6pm at the Jubilee Centre, St Albans
- Applications are open from Tuesday 27 January 2026.
- Closing date is Friday 20 March 2026 at 5pm.
- The Trustees will review submitted applications at their meeting on 22 April 2026.
- Organisations will be informed on the outcome of their application by Wednesday 15 May 2026 at the latest.
What can be funded
- Projects for which approximately 80% or more of the beneficiaries are aged 60 or older.
- Projects for which approximately 80% or more of the beneficiaries live within St Albans District.
- Running costs for your organisation eg rent, insurance, utilities, transport, contribution to salaries, freelancer sessional costs or training costs.
- Projects, items and activities supporting one or more of the grant programme’s 2 priorities. This list isn’t exhaustive, but funding could support social groups, sports, arts, music, outdoor activities or group outings.
- New activities or projects, or ongoing funding for existing projects.
- Projects and activities can be time limited or can run over a longer period.
What cannot be funded
- Retrospective funding (ie grants for projects/activities that have already happened).
- Contributions towards large general fundraising appeals eg £2,000 towards a £50,000 project.
- Commercial ventures.
- Services or activities that promote one particular faith or religious belief. The fund could support a faith group that is delivering something that is inclusive and open to all.
- Applications that support the furtherance of any one political party.
- Giving cash or gifts directly to individuals.
Who can apply
- Constituted Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations. Organisations do not have to be registered charities.
- Social Enterprise Organisations, CICs or CIOs
- Newly established groups. NB New organisations may need to submit additional financial information and if successful, will be required to meet the Grants Manager in person before payment is processed.
- Statutory organisations
Who cannot apply
- Private companies and individuals.
- Community groups which do not have a constitution, bank account and management committee/trustees.
- Organisations whose purpose is to give out funding to other groups; the grant must be used by the applying organisation.
- Organisations that have more than 12 month’s reserves.
We will consider applications that
- Meet the funding criteria.
- Demonstrate how they meet one or more of the grant programme’s two priorities:
- Improved physical health, mental health or general wellbeing for residents aged 60 or over.
- Reduced financial distress for residents aged 60 or over.
- Have specific, realistic and deliverable outcomes which will meet an identified, evidenced need.
- Provide value for money.
- If your organisation is national/county-wide or operates outside the District you must clearly demonstrate how your project will meet the needs of people living within St Albans City and District.
- Have a demonstrable impact for the residents of the District.
- Please note that the Trust gives grants to individuals: we will be interested to know whether / how your organisation will help promote the Trust’s grant-giving programme to your beneficiaries.
Application Process
Please read these guidelines carefully.
If you are unsure whether your organisation or project is eligible, please call the Grants Manager for a brief discussion on 01727 260701.
Please note that you need to complete the online application form in one session as drafts will not be saved. We therefore suggest that you save a copy of the application form as a Word document, so that you have a list of all the questions you will need to answer. You can then cut and paste your answers into the online form, in one session.
We suggest that you start writing your draft application within a Word document, and ensure that you have all the necessary documents, as soon as possible after the grants programme opens.
Please ensure that the required documents are able to be emailed. You may need to send the documents in a zipped file if the file size is too large to email. The email address to send them to is GMLF@staopt.org. In the subject header please say clearly what the documents are – ie Documents for xyz charity.
The closing date is Friday 20 March 2026 at 5pm. We strongly advise that you do not email your documents to us on the closing day, as you may encounter technical issues. If you do not send all the required documents by the closing date, we will not be able to consider your application.
If you are unable use a computer to complete the online application form and to email the required attachments please call the Grants Manager on 01727 260701 for a brief discussion.
If you need training in writing funding applications, the Hertfordshire Community Foundation runs training courses. There is a free course on Tuesday 3 February for example. Training and Development Hertfordshire Community Foundation
Data Protection:
We expect organisations to be General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant. Please do not include names or personal details of your beneficiaries in your application.
Kate Newton
Grants Manager
GMLF@staopt.org
01727 260701
