Grant funding available
Please find below the some latest funding updates that maybe of some interest.
Digital Boost – this platform will host a community of digital experts, who will offer one-to-one digital support to small businesses and charities free of charge to help them improve their digital capability to grow and prosper.
Government Charity funding
The government is providing a £750m support package for UK charities during the coronavirus outbreak. The government is currently drawing up plans for the design and delivery of the funding, including money delivered through the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF).
£360m will be allocated by the government departments to charities providing 'key services' and supporting vulnerable people during the crisis. What constitutes a 'vulnerable person' is yet to be determined. This includes:
- £200m for hospices to help increase capacity and stability.
- St John Ambulance to support the NHS, for Citizens Advice to increase the number of staff providing advice and for charities supporting vulnerable children.
The government departments will be identifying priority recipients with the aim for charities to receive money in the coming weeks.
In addition, the government has announced several smaller pots of funding for charities working in the following areas. This includes:
- £2m for charities that provide domestic abuse helplines and online support.
- 20m to international development charities and a further £50m for the Red Cross for their work in difficult to reach areas such as those suffering from armed conflict.
- £5m for leading mental health charities to expand support services
£370m will be provided to 'small and medium-sized charities' through the National Lottery Community Fund (NCLF), including those delivering food, essential medicines and providing financial advice. We understand the majority of funding will go to organisations with incomes under £1m with most grants likely to be up to £100k. The NLCF has said it considers diversity and inclusion issues throughout its decision-making process. More details about the application system is expected to be up and running within the coming week. Keep an eye on their website for updates.
Starting with a contribution of at least £20m to the National Emergencies Trust, the government will also match public donations to the BBC's Big Night In charity appeal on 23 April.
This support builds on other measures announced by the government: the coronavirus job retention scheme, coronavirus business interruption loan scheme, and the deferment of VAT bills and business rates discounts for some types of charity.
Other funding opportunities for charities
Leicestershire Communities Funding Bulletin April 20
National Emergencies Trust (NET) Coronavirus Appeal
NET is helping grassroots charities and groups supporting some of society's most vulnerable people throughout the outbreak. Organisations looking for funding should contact their local community foundation. More details, including a list of the 45 community foundations in England.
Big Society Capital loans and investment
A £100m programme of loans and investment for social enterprises, charities and small businesses in disadvantaged areas affected by coronavirus. It includes small, emergency loans with no fee and no interest for 12 months. More information on this programme.
National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF)
All funding decisions for the next six months (up to £300m of National Lottery funding) will be devoted to addressing needs related to covid-19. NLCF will prioritise activities for supporting communities through the crisis and help organisations overcome financial issues, by delivering faster payments for existing grant holders and applicants. More information on this fund.
National Lottery heritage fund
A £50m emergency fund of grants of between £3,000 and £50,000 available for organisations supporting:
- historic sites
- industrial and maritime heritage
- museums
- libraries and archives
- parks and gardens
- landscapes
- nature.
Priority will be given where there is limited or no access to other sources of support and an organisation is at risk of severe financial crisis due to covid-19. More information on this fund.
National Lottery Awards for All England
Grants of £300 to £10,000 with priority given to organisations:
- supporting people who are at high risk from covid-19
- supporting communities most likely to face increased demand and challenges as a direct result of measures to prevent the result of covid-19
- with high potential to support communities with the direct and indirect impact of covid-19
More information on this fund.
Sport England coronavirus support fund
- £195m programme of grants between £300 and £10,000 for clubs and community organisations
- £5m pot for existing partners to bid into if they are facing specific financial difficulty
- £55m fund to support the sector during the ongoing period of restrictions
- £115m rollover of current funding into 2021/22 for over 100 established partners.
Arts Council England
£160m of emergency funding is available to ensure organisations and individuals working in the cultural sector are protected during the crisis. The council has also changed the funding requirements for individuals and organisations currently receiving its funding. More information on this fund.
Barclays Foundation charity partners programme
A £50m fund to help disadvantaged people suffering from social and economic deprivation, the elderly and vulnerable communities most at risk from covid-19, and to support NHS staff and other keyworker communities. Funding will be deployed via partnerships with trusted charities. More information on this fund.
Comic Relief
Some money raised through Sport Relief 2020 will go to frontline organisations. Support for grantees will occur through adapting activities, reviewing time-frames, or re-budgeting remaining funds.They will update their website and the FAQ's with more information over the next few days.
The Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust
Grants of up to £1,500 for eligible small charities. Requests are considered for contributions to core funding or for specific projects. There are no reporting requirements. More information on this fund.
Standard Life Foundation
Grants from £5,000 upwards to tackle financial problems and improve living standards for those on low-to-middle incomes in the UK. More details about the fast-track grant scheme.
The Bring Joy Foundation
Funding for local community groups to supply craft materials, activities, communication tools and assistive technology to seniors to support them in their isolation. Visit the foundation's website for more details.
The Teaching Staff Trust
Support for teachers, teaching assistants, nursery workers, caretakers and lunch supervisors who have worked within the education sector for at least five years. Grant can be used to help with bills, household costs, travel or other essentials. More information on this fund.
The Dulverton Trust
Support for charities working to produce significant impact in youth opportunities, general welfare, conservation, preservation in Africa or peace and humanitarian support. When considering applications, the charity is keen to know whether applicants have already explored all options for financial support, including the government schemes and emergency funds before seeking funding from the Trust. Further details are available on the website.
Support Adoption for Pets
The largest grant giving charity in the UK for animal welfare charities is providing an additional £400,000 to local animal sanctuaries suffering as a result of the covid-19 outbreak. Grants range from £1,000 – £180,000. More information on this fund..
Buttle UK - Chances for Children
Grants targeted at improving the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people and their capacity to engage in education and learning. There is a particular focus on:
- maintaining educational activity and stimulus within the home environment
- establishing and/or maintaining internet access and communications
- household essentials.
More information on this fund.
The Schroder Charity Trust
Grants up to £5000 for supporting:
- education and young people
- health
- communities
- environment and conservation
- heritage
- arts and culture
- international development
- the armed forces.
More information on this fund.
Clothworkers' emergency capital programme (CECP)
Grants of up to £5,000 for essential capital items to adapt or increase services in response to covid-19. Priority will be given to organisations with income of less than £2m per annum supporting vulnerable and 'at risk' groups and whose beneficiaries are based outside of London. More information on this fund.
Neighbourly community fund
Micro-grants of up to £400 to support good causes that are helping communities affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Grants are awarded to good causes whose work involves supporting members of the community suffering economically, socially or from ill health as a result of the outbreak. More information on this fund.
or £50,000 longer-term response grants. Due to high demand, the programme is currently paused, but you can ask to be updated on the programme.
Tesco Bags of Help covid-19 community fund
Tesco is offering support through Bags of Help covid-19 community fund grants of £500 (and food donations), for local group including:
- women's refuges
- food banks
- hospices
- homeless charities
- social isolation groups
- schools
- charities supporting the elderly.
More information on this fund.
Leathersellers' Company – small grants programme
One-off grants up to £3,000, with a fast track application process. Available to UK registered charities supporting:
- the homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless
- provision of food and essential supplies
- victims of domestic violence
- nursing care to vulnerable patients.
More information about this fund.
Yapp Charitable Trust
Grants of up to £3,000 are available to registered charities in England and Wales, with a total annual expenditure of less than £40,000.This would be used to cover core costs and staffing in one of their priority areas. More information about this fund.
John Lewis and Waitrose £1m fund
Teams in each store will work with their communities to choose the best way to use the fund. Help could include:
- setting up additional local delivery services to support self-isolating vulnerable people and those looking after them
- delivering boxes of staples to local care homes and community groups
- donating products to create care packages for customers to share with vulnerable neighbours.
More information about this fund.
Youth Futures Foundation
Development grants between £30,000–£100,000, and impact grants of between £100,000–£800,000 for organisations working with young people aged 14–24 to help overcome barriers to finding meaningful work. More information about this fund.
Localgiving and People's Postcode lottery – magic little grants
Grants of £500 for local charities that support and inspire people to participate in sports or exercise. Localgiving have announced they will support projects that help people to stay active during social distancing, such as online fitness classes delivered via video conferencing software or Youtube. More information about this fund.
Alpkit - go nice places, do good things grant
Grants of £500 for projects that demonstrate an immediate impact on those affected by the covid-19 virus crisis for:
- helping elderly or vulnerable people
- minimising the impact of self-isolation
- supporting foodbanks
- helping the homeless or those in temporary accommodation.
More information about this fund.
Antonio Carluccio Foundation
Grants of up to £10,000 for organisations working to feed those in need and promote a better understanding of food origins and nutrition. More information about this fund.
Wrap emergency surplus food grant: phase 2
Grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 to fund capital and revenue costs for organisations who can redistribute surplus food from retailers, wholesalers, and food manufacturers, to people in need or those considered vulnerable. More information about this fund.
William Morris Big Local
Grants up to £1000 available to local people, groups and organisations supporting neighbourly volunteering, especially where it's helping those finding it difficult to access other support. Or positive activities that help keep people, healthy, happy and connected despite the challenges of social distancing. More information about this fund