Supporting grassroots impact
The Utility Aid Foundation
exists to turn energy savings
into community benefits.
How it works
Donations matched pound-for-pound
£10
£20
When charities join our National Charity Tender, every meter they sign up triggers a £10 donation from energy suppliers, matched pound-for-pound by Utility Aid.
That £20 per meter goes directly into a fund that supports the small, practical projects that make real differences in local communities. This fund is reserved exclusively for all our NCT members. So if you’ve recently joined Utility Aid’s collective buying initiative, your organisation will be eligible.
What we fund
Projects that matter
most to communities
We're not about prestige projects or headline-grabbing initiatives.
Our focus is on the wheelchair ramp that opens access, the replaced door that keeps a community space secure, the funded activity that brings isolated people together. These aren't glamorous projects, but they're the ones that matter most to the communities charities serve.
Who decides
Independent
and accountable
The Foundation operates as an independent registered charity with its own governance structure, with a board of trustees that includes dedicated Utility Aid staff and representatives from both customer organisations and energy companies. This ensures accountability, fairness, and robust decision-making through transparent processes.
Your application
Deliberately
straightforward
Applying for funding is deliberately straightforward. You just need to answer one question: how will this money support your community?
We want to fund as many smaller projects as possible rather than concentrating resources on a few large initiatives. The barriers to entry are low, but the requirement for clarity is absolute - tell us exactly what you'll do with the funding and how it serves your community by emailing us on foundation@utility-aid.co.uk
Where we stand today
For 2026, we have over £40,000 available for community projects.
This money comes from the collective strength of charities working together. Your participation in the National Charity Tender not only secures better energy deals, it creates a fund that helps other good causes across the sector.
£40,000
Our promise to you
As an NCT participant, the fund is open to you when you need it.
Each decision is made through transparent governance processes. Every application gets fair consideration from the board of trustees. We're strong on detail because that's what ensures fairness. We focus on grassroots projects because that's where impact happens.
Utility Aid Foundation
Frequently Asked
Questions
What are the criteria for funding?
How long does the decision process take?
Is the funding restricted or unrestricted?
Will we need to report back on how we spent the money?
How much can we apply for?
Are there size restrictions for applicants?
Why we’re doing this
The Utility Aid Foundation turns the power of collective buying into practical support for communities doing vital work. Simple projects, properly funded, making measurable differences.