The Trust offers a selection of grants for u3as to support their efforts to promote u3a and increase local membership. u3as can only apply for 1 grant in each financial year (April to March).
We offer 4 different types:
- Start-Up Support Grant
- Membership Growth & Community Connections Grant
- Publicity Support Grant
- Large Grants
There is further information about each type in the individual documents linked below.
To apply for a grant please click on the online application form button. This takes you to an online application form, where you will be asked to provide details about your u3a, a key contact and if your u3a has received a grant from the Trust in the past.
As part of the online application process, you will also be asked to provide the following information:
- a breakdown of how your u3a plans to spend the grant monies
- an outline of how the grant will benefit your u3a
- the amount of money you have chosen to apply for
- the financial contribution being made by your u3a
- your u3a bank details
- if your u3a has more than 6 months running costs as reserves, and why these funds can't be used.
Once you submit the grant application you will receive an email to confirm that it has been received by the Trust. You should get a decision on the outcome of your application within 2-3 weeks. If approved, our finance team will pay the grant directly to your bank account.
Grants can only be applied for in advance of events, they cannot be applied for retrospectively after an event has happened. Please read the further information for the grant type before applying.
Grants programme 2026 /27
Start-up Support grant
£500 available to new u3as to cover start-up costs and publicity materials.
New u3as who receive this grant may be offered additional non-financial support, including mentoring and access to workshops, to ensure effective and sustainable establishment of the new u3a.
- Recipients will not pay membership subscription fees to the Third Age Trust until the April following their affiliation.
- Recipients will receive u3a Matters magazine at no charge until the April following their affiliation.
- Recipients will be offered a SiteWorks website at no charge until the April following their affiliation.
- The group applying must be newly formed.
- The u3a group must be working towards membership of the Third Age Trust.
- The u3a should have opened (or be in the process of opening) a dedicated bank account in the group’s name.
- Venue hire for initial meetings.
- Promotional materials and advertising (either print materials or digital media advertising).
- Purchase of necessary initial administrative supplies and equipment (stationery, IT equipment).
- Costs associated with initial community engagement and membership recruitment activities.
Membership Growth & Community Connections grant
Up to £500 to help u3as build connections within their local communities and grow and diversify their membership.
- The u3a activity should be focussed on building connections with the local community and growing or diversifying their membership.
- The u3a must demonstrate financial reserves of no more than 6 months normal operating costs.
- The u3a must have returned the outcomes report in relation to any previous grants awarded.
- Organising community engagement events specifically aimed at attracting under-represented groups or growing membership.
- Participating in an existing community event to raise the local profile of u3a.
Publicity Support grant
Up to £250 to allow u3as to purchase either physical publicity materials, such as leaflets and posters, or to purchase digital media advertising such as Facebook or LinkedIn Ads.
- The u3a should be actively seeking to grow their membership.
- The u3a must demonstrate financial reserves of no more than 6 months normal operating costs.
- Traditional publicity materials such as leaflets, posters, banners etc.
- Digital media advertising including social media ads eg Facebook ads.
Large Event grant
The large grant has a maximum value of £2500 to allow u3as to participate in large events which either have a national reach or reach a more diverse audience.
- The event must have either a national significance or reach audiences currently under-represented within u3a.
- The applying u3a must collaborate with other u3as in the area.
- The u3a must demonstrate financial reserves of no more than 6 months normal operating costs.
- The u3a must have returned the outcomes report in relation to any previous grants awarded.
- Participation costs associated with large-scale events that have a national visibility or attract a diverse demographic audience.
- Applications must be submitted before the event; retrospective applications will not be considered.
- The applying u3a may be asked to deliver a presentation detailing how the event aligns with u3a strategic objectives and how they will measure outcomes.