Helpage International

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £34.3 million (2023/24)
• Grant Distribution: £26 million for international programmes (2023/24)
• Network Size: 199 member organisations in 98 countries
• Geographic Focus: Low and middle-income countries worldwide (NOT UK-based programmes)
• Application Process: Network membership required - no public grant application process
• Grant Range: Varies by programme (examples: £15,000-£30,000 for Ukraine crisis grants)

Contact Details

Website: www.helpage.org

Email: info@helpage.org

Phone: +44 20 7278 7778

Address: 1st Floor, Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7UT

Network Membership Enquiries: helpage.org/join-us

Overview

Founded in 1983 by five organisations from Canada, Colombia, Kenya, India and the United Kingdom, HelpAge International is a UK-registered charity (288180) that serves as the secretariat to a global network promoting the rights and wellbeing of older people worldwide. With an annual income of £34.3 million (2023/24) and £26 million distributed for international programmes, HelpAge operates through a network-based model with 199 member organisations across 98 countries. The organisation's vision, articulated in its 2030 Strategy, positions HelpAge as a convener, supporter and thought leader of an international movement for change. Importantly, HelpAge International does NOT fund UK-based programmes - their focus is exclusively on supporting older people in low and middle-income countries. Under the leadership of CEO Cherian Mathews, the organisation has undergone significant transformation, shifting from direct project delivery to trust-based partnerships and from traditional service provision to being an enabler of locally-led development. HelpAge's commitment to locally-led development reflects their decolonisation of aid approach, transferring power to national and local organisations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Distribution Model

HelpAge International operates as an intermediary organisation that receives funding from institutional donors and then regrants to network members and local partners. They do NOT offer open competitive grants - funding is distributed through their established network model. Recent examples include:

• Small Grants Initiative: In 2022, HelpAge rolled out 15 grants to 12 network members, two partners and one country office across 13 countries as part of their Universal Health Coverage (UHC) strategy
• Ukraine Crisis Response: In collaboration with Crown Agents, HelpAge provided flexible cash grants ranging from £15,000 to £30,000 to 41 local organisations in eastern and western Ukraine
• Partner-Led Programming: HelpAge helps partners apply for grants as lead applicants and gives them more control over programme funds, with all partners receiving 25% of indirect costs

Priority Thematic Areas

HelpAge and its network members work across these key areas:

• Health and Care: Including mental health and psychosocial support, with focus on Universal Health Coverage
• Social Protection and Income Security: Supporting older people's financial wellbeing and access to social safety nets
• Humanitarian Inclusion: Responding to humanitarian crises by providing essential aid to older people affected by conflict, disasters, and displacement
• Protection from Violence, Abuse and Neglect: Safeguarding older people's rights and dignity
• Cross-cutting themes: Strong focus on disability, gender and accountability

Geographic Focus

HelpAge International works exclusively in low and middle-income countries. Their programmes operate in 30+ countries including Bangladesh, Bolivia, Cambodia, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Jordan, Moldova, Ukraine, and many others across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. They do not fund UK-based projects or organisations working solely in the UK.

What They Don't Fund

• UK-based programmes or services
• Organisations not working on issues related to older people
• Projects in high-income countries
• Organisations without at least two years of relevant experience
• Work that doesn't align with the HelpAge 2030 Strategy

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Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive

Cherian Mathews leads HelpAge International with more than 30 years of international development experience in leading and managing humanitarian, long-term development and campaign work at country, regional and global levels. Previously, he worked with Oxfam GB as International Programme Director and before that as Asia Regional Director.

Board of Trustees

Chair: Professor Sarah Harper is the Clore Professor of Gerontology at the University of Oxford and Director of the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing.

Recent Trustee Appointments (2024-2025):

• Ninie Yan Wang and Peter Kaldes
• Dr Samir Sinha - Internationally recognised expert in the care of older adults
• Ben F. Belton - Leader in ageing policy
• Martine Najem - Public health and development professional
• Rose Gahire - Public health expert from Rwanda
• Sonia Di Mezza - Australian human rights lawyer and CEO

Other Trustees:

• Helen Mealins - Chief Executive at INTRAC with over 20 years' experience working with politicians, government officials, and civil society practitioners
• Sandra Aponte - CEO of NTD Ingredientes based in the Dominican Republic and Mexico

Strategic Leadership

Cherian Mathews has stated: “An important element of our 2030 Strategy is our commitment to locally-led development, as part of the decolonisation of aid. We need to evolve how we add value by working in partnership while transferring power to national and local organisations.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

HelpAge International does not have a public grant application process. They operate through a network-based funding model where grants are distributed to member organisations within their established global network. Funding is not available through competitive calls for proposals open to non-members.

To access HelpAge's funding streams, organisations must first become members of the HelpAge global network.

Becoming a Network Member

HelpAge welcomes organisations with an interest in ageing, regardless of size or level of operation (international, regional, national or local), as well as national and regional platforms or networks.

Membership Criteria:

1. Vision Alignment: Show an interest in ageing and share HelpAge's vision of a world in which all older people can lead dignified, healthy and secure lives
2. Active Participation: Commit to be an active member of the network and engage with the HelpAge 2030 Strategy
3. Experience: Have at least two years of relevant experience in advocacy and campaigning, research, policy, development, capacity building, or programmes (service delivery) in areas related to the 2030 Strategy
4. Principles: Adhere to the basic principles of the HelpAge network

Application Process:

• Visit helpage.org/join-us or helpage.org/get-involved/join-the-global-network
• Fill out an expression of interest form
• The network membership team will review applications and guide candidates through the process

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Network membership applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Once organisations become network members, they may be eligible for funding through HelpAge's various programmes, but this depends on available funding streams and alignment with specific programme objectives.

Partner-Led Programming Approach

HelpAge has introduced several mechanisms to support partners once they're in the network:

• Direct Funding: Helping partners apply for grants as lead applicants
• Cost Sharing: All partners receive 25% of indirect costs to cover essential expenses
• Budget Equity: Resources are shared more equally between HelpAge and partners
• Faster Transfers: Financial support reaches partners without unnecessary delays

Application Success Factors

Understanding HelpAge's Transformation

Many network partners view HelpAge as a “donor,” but the organisation is transforming its role. As articulated in their transformation journey, HelpAge is making three visible shifts:

1. From direct project delivery to trust-based partnerships
2. From being a service provider to acting as a convener and thought leader on ageing
3. From a traditional INGO delivery model to becoming an enabler

Strategic Alignment

Quote from leadership: “HelpAge will add value by working with others as a Supporter, Convenor, and Thought leader, as laid out in our 2030 Strategy.”

Successful network members:

• Demonstrate at least 2 years of track record working with or for older people
• Align their work with HelpAge's thematic focus areas (health and care, social protection, humanitarian inclusion, protection from violence)
• Commit to principles of locally-led development and decolonisation of aid
• Show capacity in research, advocacy, capacity-building or programming with and for older people
• Embrace HelpAge's cross-cutting focus on disability, gender and accountability

Building Effective Partnerships

The organisation is committed to partner-led programming, which means:

• Partners have more control over programme funds and decision-making
• HelpAge mobilises less restricted or unrestricted funds to complement grants
• Project budgets support partners' organisational development needs
• Partners can apply as lead applicants with HelpAge support

Regional and Thematic Networks

HelpAge operates through regional networks (Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and Caribbean, North America). Understanding the specific regional context and connecting with the relevant regional network can strengthen your organisation's position.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Not a UK funder: HelpAge International does not fund UK-based projects. Their exclusive focus is on low and middle-income countries, so UK organisations must be working internationally to be relevant.

• Network membership is essential: There is no public grant application process. Organisations must first become members of the HelpAge global network, which requires at least 2 years of relevant experience and alignment with the 2030 Strategy.

• Think partnership, not just funding: HelpAge is moving away from traditional donor-grantee relationships towards trust-based partnerships and locally-led development. Approach them as a collaborative partner rather than simply as a funding source.

• Demonstrate local leadership capacity: The organisation's commitment to decolonising aid means they prioritise supporting local and national organisations that can lead their own programmes with HelpAge as an enabler.

• Align with thematic priorities: Focus your work on one or more of HelpAge's core areas: health and care for older people, social protection and income security, humanitarian inclusion, or protection from violence and abuse.

• Multi-year engagement: Building a relationship with HelpAge and accessing their funding streams is a long-term process, not a quick grant application. Plan for sustained engagement with the network.

• Geographic targeting: If you work in one of HelpAge's 30+ priority countries (particularly in Africa, Asia, Latin America, or Eastern Europe), you're more likely to find alignment and funding opportunities.

References

• HelpAge International official website: www.helpage.org
• HelpAge International Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023/24 (published October 2024)
• HelpAge International Learning Report 2023-2024
• HelpAge 2030 Strategy document (available at helpage.org/about-us/values-vision-and-strategy/2030-strategy/)
• "HelpAge's transformation journey: putting the global network at the heart of change" - HelpAge International news article
• "Putting local partners in the lead: HelpAge's journey to true collaboration" - HelpAge International article
• Charity Commission register: Charity number 288180
• Join the HelpAge Global Network information page: helpage.org/get-involved/join-the-global-network
• HelpAge International Executive Leadership Group page: helpage.org/about-us/executive-leadership-group/
• “Six new trustees bring global expertise to HelpAge Board” - HelpAge International news (2024-2025)
• HelpAge International Wikipedia article