Robert McAlpine Foundation

The Robert McAlpine Foundation, established in 1963 by the McAlpine family, drives positive social change by supporting small UK charities that enhance wellbeing and life chances for people facing disadvantage. Rooted in equity, compassion, and practical philanthropy, its values emphasize tangible, lasting impact through targeted interventions for vulnerable groups, prioritizing direct-delivery projects that deliver measurable benefits in health, independence, and social inclusion. Believing change arises from empowering grassroots organizations with bespoke funding for person-centred support, it fosters enduring improvements via equity-focused, high-additionality grants that amplify overlooked needs.

It funds projects advancing mental and physical wellbeing for children, young people aged 5-25, elderly individuals experiencing isolation, and people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, or complex health needs, including respite care for families caring for disabled children, social care services like day centres and befriending for elderly residents, community social activities such as peer support groups and inclusive sports for vulnerable youth, training and education programs tackling youth unemployment and skills gaps for care leavers, assistive equipment enabling independence for those with mobility impairments, therapeutic activities promoting emotional regulation and confidence in autism spectrum disorder or ADHD, and medical and social research benefiting smaller groups with unmet needs like carer exhaustion or family breakdown prevention. Supported interventions encompass employment training, mentoring, outdoor activities, creative arts therapy, and holistic approaches including preventative early intervention, trauma-informed care, and community-led empowerment to address social isolation, poverty barriers, and exclusion.

Exclusions target general fundraising appeals or contributions to large charities' campaign targets, favouring instead direct project implementation over broad appeals. Distinctive for its multi-decade focus on small-scale charities delivering person-centred respite, social inclusion, and wellbeing gains, it prioritizes grassroots organizations serving children with SEND, isolated elderly, disabled adults, and family carers in rural or underserved UK communities, valuing evidence-based, measurable outcomes from lived-experience-led services that sustain family resilience and personal independence.