# Old Union Canals Society

- Type: Trust / foundation
- Charity number: 510361 (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/510361)
- Website: https://www.old-union-canals.org
- Latest income: £8,356; spending £9,675
- What it funds: General charitable purposes, Education / training, Arts / culture / heritage / science, Environment / conservation / heritage, Recreation
- Who it helps: Other charities or voluntary bodies, The general public
- How it gives: Makes grants to organisations, Provides human resources, Acts as an umbrella or resource body
- Area of operation: Leicestershire, Northamptonshire
- Other names: O U C S (working)
- Trustees: 4
- Last verified: 2026-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Canonical URL: https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/old-union-canals-society

Volunteer work on canals and associated works provide funding for canal based works and other environmental improvements.

## Open and forthcoming schemes (0)

None in OpenGrant's sources right now.

## Finances by year (Charity Commission)

| Year ending | Income | Spending | Grants to organisations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Dec 2025 | £8,356 | £9,675 | not filed |
| 31 Dec 2024 | £3,963 | £4,281 | not filed |
| 31 Dec 2023 | £5,075 | £9,628 | not filed |
| 31 Dec 2022 | £4,649 | £2,703 | not filed |
| 31 Dec 2021 | £5,094 | £3,539 | not filed |

## Charitable objects

> To promote, encourage, foster and co-ordinate public interest, study and activity in all aspects, past, present and future, of all inland waterways, especially those Canals, feeders and reservoirs formerly planned and owned by the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Union canal company (old Union) and the (old) grand Union canal company of 1810.

## What it funds

Old Union Canals Society is registered under the Charity Commission purposes education / training, arts / culture / heritage / science, environment / conservation / heritage and recreation for other charities or voluntary bodies; the register records that it makes grants to organisations, provides human resources and acts as an umbrella or resource body. In its latest reported year Old Union Canals Society reported income of £8,356 and spending of £9,675. Over its last 5 reported years, to 31 Dec 2025, it spent £29.8k in total.

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

## How to apply

OpenGrant has not found an open scheme from Old Union Canals Society in its sources (last checked 4 Nov 2026). Its website (old-union-canals.org) may list programmes that are not yet open or are by invitation only. OpenGrant does not take applications; always check the funder's own guidance.

## Questions

### Is Old Union Canals Society open for applications now?

Not in OpenGrant's sources as of 4 Nov 2026: no open or forthcoming scheme from Old Union Canals Society is listed. Check the funder's website for programmes that are not yet open or that it does not advertise.

### Where does Old Union Canals Society fund?

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

### Does Old Union Canals Society give grants to individuals?

The Charity Commission register records that Old Union Canals Society makes grants to organisations, not that it makes grants to individuals.

### How much does Old Union Canals Society give each year?

The register does not break out Old Union Canals Society's grants for its latest year (only charities with income over £500,000 file that detail). Its total spending in the year to 31 Dec 2025 was £9,675. Over its last 5 reported years its spending averaged £5,965 a year.

### How large is Old Union Canals Society?

In its latest reported year Old Union Canals Society reported income of £8,356 and spending of £9,675.


## Similar funders

- [Corra Foundation](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/corra-foundation) – 4 open schemes
- [John Lyon's Charity](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/john-lyons-charity)
- [Forever Manchester](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/forever-manchester)
- [Wates Family Enterprise Trust](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/wates-family-enterprise-trust)
- [King's Trust](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/kings-trust) – 1 open scheme
- [The Master Charitable Trust](https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/master-charitable-trust)

## Guides

- [How to find grants for a UK charity: the complete guide](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/charity-grants-uk)
- [Trust fundraising prospect research: how to find out who funds charities like yours](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/trust-fundraising-prospect-research)
- [Arts and heritage grants in Scotland: what is open now and who funds it](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/arts-and-heritage-grants-in-scotland)