The Medicash Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £360,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified (applications reviewed annually by trustee)
• Grant Range: £4,000 - multi-year commitments for nursing posts
• Geographic Focus: North West England (Merseyside, Wirral, Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, North Wales, Cumbria) with some national charity support

Contact Details

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0151 702 0334

Registered Office: One Derby Square, Liverpool, L2 1AB

Website: https://www.medicash.org/about-us/medicash-foundation/

Charity Number: 257636

Application forms can be downloaded from the website and submitted via email to the Foundation.

Overview

The Medicash Foundation is the charitable arm of Medicash, the UK's largest provider of corporate health cash plans. Over the last five years, the Foundation has donated £2.25 million to health and wellbeing-related charities. The Foundation operates with Medicash Health Benefits Limited as its corporate trustee and relies on donations from its parent company. In 2024 alone, the Foundation donated over £360,000 to community health and wellbeing projects, benefiting almost 30,000 people in the first six months. The Foundation focuses primarily on the North West region but also supports national charities with projects in their local area. The Foundation allocates grants on a regular basis, with applications requested each year and presented to the trustee for discussion and approval.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Health and Wellbeing Projects: Variable amounts, typically £4,000-£5,000 for smaller projects
• Multi-Year Healthcare Commitments: Larger grants for sustained support (e.g., four-year nursing post funding at Alder Hey Children's Hospital)
• Medical Equipment: Funding for defibrillators, monitors, and other lifesaving equipment
• Application Method: Download application form from website and submit via email on a rolling/annual basis

In 2019, the Foundation distributed £660,000 across 114 charities, suggesting an average grant size of approximately £5,789, though individual grants vary significantly based on project scope.

Priority Areas

• NHS hospitals and healthcare facilities across the North West
• Mental health services, particularly for children and young people
• Disability support organizations
• Emergency medical services (e.g., air ambulances)
• Healthcare accessibility initiatives
• Community health projects addressing deprivation and hardship
• Homelessness support with health components
• Visual impairment support
• Cancer care and support services

The Foundation also partners with Cool Earth to support six indigenous Peruvian Amazon communities managing over 76,000 hectares of rainforest, demonstrating commitment to international conservation with health implications.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, but the Foundation focuses exclusively on health and wellbeing initiatives. Organizations outside the North West region or without a clear health/wellbeing component are less likely to be funded.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Medicash Health Benefits Limited (corporate trustee)

Chief Executive and Foundation Trustee: Sue Weir

Sue Weir has stated: "Enabling better access to healthcare and wellbeing support is central to everything we do here at Medicash, so I couldn't be prouder that we're able to pass on our success to such a variety of initiatives across the country."

The directors of Medicash Health Benefits Limited serve in the trustee capacity for the Foundation. The Board of Medicash commits significant funding to the Foundation annually.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Download the application form from the Medicash Foundation website
• Complete the form with project details
• Submit via email to [email protected]
• Applications are requested each year and presented to the trustee for discussion and approval

Decision Timeline

The Foundation does not publicly specify exact decision timelines. Applications are reviewed on a regular basis by the trustee, with grants allocated throughout the year. Applicants should expect a period of review and board discussion before receiving notification.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, in 2019, the Foundation supported 114 different charities with £660,000 in funding, indicating a reasonable acceptance rate for aligned applications.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Organizations should contact the Foundation directly for guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful attempt.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment: The Foundation strongly prioritizes health and wellbeing initiatives that improve healthcare accessibility, particularly for vulnerable populations including children, elderly, people with disabilities, and those facing deprivation.

Geographic Focus: Organizations based in or serving communities across Merseyside, Wirral, Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, North Wales, and Cumbria have the strongest alignment. National charities with projects in these areas are also considered.

Recent Funded Projects (examples to guide applications):

• Liverpool Six Community Association's “Together We Are Stronger” Project (supporting families in severe deprivation)
• Be Free Campaign (mental health charity for young people) - £5,000
• Cyclists Fighting Cancer - £4,000
• North West Air Ambulance Charity (defibrillator and monitor equipment)
• Alder Hey Children's Hospital (four-year nursing post for infant feeding)
• Guide Dogs for the Blind Association CustomEyes project (large-print books for visually impaired young people)
• Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (nursing positions)
• Bolton Hospice, The Brain Charity, Action Medical Research, Shift.ms, Deafblind UK
• Beep Doctors (emergency medical services in hard-to-reach Cumbrian communities)

Language and Terminology: The Foundation uses language focused on “healthcare equality,” “wellbeing support,” “accessibility,” “community health,” and “improving quality of health.” Applications should emphasize how projects enable better access to healthcare and wellbeing support for beneficiaries.

Key Success Factors:

• Clear health or wellbeing outcomes
• Support for vulnerable or underserved populations
• Projects addressing healthcare accessibility barriers
• Measurable impact on beneficiaries' health and quality of life
• Alignment with NHS priorities or complementing NHS services
• Community-based initiatives with direct beneficiary contact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Regional Focus is Critical: Applications from the North West region (Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, and surrounding areas) are most likely to succeed. Clearly state your geographic coverage.

• Health and Wellbeing Emphasis: Every application must demonstrate clear health or wellbeing benefits. The Foundation's mission centers on “enabling better access to healthcare and wellbeing support.”

• Vulnerable Population Priority: Projects serving children, young people, elderly, people with disabilities, or those facing deprivation receive strong consideration.

• Variable Grant Sizes: Be realistic in your request. The Foundation awards both smaller grants (£4,000-£5,000) and larger multi-year commitments for strategic initiatives.

• NHS and Healthcare System Support: Projects that complement or support NHS facilities and services align well with Foundation priorities, particularly those funding equipment, staff positions, or patient support services.

• Annual Review Cycle: Applications are reviewed on an annual/regular basis by trustees. Submit applications well in advance of when funding is needed, as decision timelines are not immediate.

• Simple Application Process: The Foundation uses a straightforward email-based application system. Download the form, complete it thoroughly, and submit to [email protected].

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• THE WILLIAM ALLEN YOUNG CHARITABLE TRUST
• Bernard Lewis Family Charitable Trust
• THE ZOCHONIS CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE SIR JAMES KNOTT TRUST
• THE BARBOUR FOUNDATION
• Baron Davenport's Charity
• DORIS FIELD CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Britford Bridge Trust
• THE BRIDGE TRUST
• The Wixamtree Trust
• Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation
• THE PAUL BASSHAM CHARITABLE TRUST
• PILKINGTON CHARITIES FUND
• Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund
• THE EVESON TRUST
• The Patricia Routledge Foundation
• Chapman Charitable Trust
• The Oakdale Trust
• THE LINBURY TRUST
• Young Charitable Trust

References

• Medicash Foundation official page: https://www.medicash.org/about-us/medicash-foundation/
• The Charity Commission - The Medicash Foundation (257636): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=257636&subid=0
• “Backing healthcare equality with the Medicash Foundation” - Medicash news article: https://www.medicash.org/article/news/backing-healthcare-equality-with-the-medicash-foundation/
• “Medicash Achieves 21% Growth in Premium Income in 2024 as Policyholder Numbers Surge”: https://www.medicash.org/article/news/medicash-achieves-21-growth-in-premium-income-in-2024-as-policyholder-numbers-surge/
• “Medicash Foundation donates £4,000 to Cyclists Fighting Cancer”: https://www.medicash.org/article/news/medicash-foundation-donates-4000-to-cyclists-fighting-cancer-to-support-young-cancer-patients/
• "Championing change for young people's mental health with the Be Free Campaign": https://www.medicash.org/article/news/championing-change-for-young-peoples-mental-health-with-the-be-free-campaign/
• “North West Air Ambulance Charity flying high thanks to Medicash”: https://www.medicash.org/article/news/north-west-air-ambulance-charity-flying-high-thanks-to-medicash/