COVID-19 - Emergency funding opportunities
Please see below for a list of COVID-19 related funding opportunities.
This page was last updated March 31 2020. For a more up to date list, visit our latest article.
Money Saving Expert Charity Coronavirus Fund
Funder: Martin Lewis - Money Saving Expert
Location: Across the UK
Summary: Martin Lewis has released £1,000,000 from his personal charity fund to provide grants to small registered charities, across the UK, to help with specific coronavirus-related relief projects.
Eligibility: Grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 are available to small registered charities or local arms of bigger, national charities.
Examples could include foodbanks, charities engaged in community aid and financial advice provision. Distribution should happen quickly so projects should either be up and running or in the process of being set up so that help can be delivered at speed.
All applications should only be for projects which are a direct response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Any other applications will only slow support for those affected.
How to apply: A simple application form is available on the funder's website. Applications close on Wednesday 25 March 2020.
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The Indigo Trust
Info: The Indigo Trust has pledged £2.5 million in emergency grants to help charities to respond to the emergency. The grants will go to the National Emergencies Trust (£1m), the Trussell Trust (£1m) and to the Oxfordshire Community Foundation (£500,000).
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National Emergencies Trust
Info: The National Emergencies Trust Coronavirus Appeal will distribute funds through the UK Community Foundation Network. More local Community Foundations will launch COVID-19 response funds through this process.
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Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund
Funder: Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
Location: Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
Summary: The Community Foundation has launched a two stage response fund:
1. Response Stage: Extra money will be made available to charities known to the foundation and current grantees who support older people and other vulnerable groups affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
2. Recovery Stage: Funding will be made more widely available to local charities and community organisations whose operations and finances have been affected so they can recover and continue their activities once the outbreak eases.
Eligibility: In the first phase, all funding will be allocated proactively by the Community Foundation, other local funders and infrastructure organisations. Grants will prioritise organisations that are working with people over 70, especially isolated older people and those living in care settings.
After the initial emergency response, funding will be made available to organisations that work with other vulnerable and affected people.
How to apply: The fund is not currently accepting unsolicited applications. The process for awarding grants for the 'recovery phase' will be announced at a later date once the fund knows how much money is available.
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Scottish Fund
Funder: Scottish Government
Location: Scotland
Summary: An emergency funding package of £350 million to be split across funding streams has been announced. The funding will be made available to charities working to support those affected by the outbreak.
Eligibility: Criteria varies across the funds:
- £70 million Food Fund to help organisations address food insecurity for the vulnerable
- £50 million Wellbeing Fund for charities who work with at-risk including the homeless who may be worst affected by the crisis
- £40 million Supporting Communities Fund to support local level efforts to support and signpost people at-risk
- £50 million will be allocated to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and social security
- £20 million will be allocated to a Third Sector Resilience Fund to help charities with cash flow issues
- The remaining money will be allocated across local authority welfare programmes.
How to apply: For more information and to apply, contact socialjusticemailbox@gov.scot
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Steve Morgan Foundation
Funder: Steve Morgan Foundation
Location: Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales
Summary: Steve Morgan has pledged up to £1 million a week for 12 weeks to help charities in the region with the cost of additional emergency services and to help charities experiencing a loss of fundraising.
Eligibility: The fund is available to registered charities; community interest companies; community organisations and educational establishments. They must be regional or local organisations established before April 2018.
How to apply: Apply on the funder's website.
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London Fund
Funder: Greater London Authority and the City Bridge Trust
Location: London
Summary: The Greater London Authority and the City Bridge Trust have contributed £1m each to launch a new £2m fund to support London's voluntary sector through the outbreak. The fund is expected to launch next week.
Eligibility: The emergency scheme will be available to organisations in London facing immediate financial pressures and uncertainty because of the coronavirus. These include increasing demands for services, higher staff absences, fewer volunteers and lower donations. Exact criteria will be confirmed once the fund launches.
How to apply: We anticipate an online application form and the fund will be coordinated by London Funders. More information will be made available soon.
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Cumbria COVID-19 Response Fund
Funder: Cumbria Community Foundation
Location: Cumbria
Summary: Cumbria Community Foundation has set up a fund to help charitable groups support vulnerable people affected by coronavirus. The foundation has contributed £100,000 to the fund.
Eligibility: The fund will prioritise funding to charitable projects across the county that are supporting people affected by the virus, helping to keep them safe and supported in their homes and reducing pressure on the NHS.
How to apply: Smaller grants of around £250 will be available for community-based groups and larger grants (over £1,000) will be made to organisations offering county level support. Applications can be made through the foundation's website.
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Coronavirus Community Fund
Funder: Community Foundation Northern Ireland
Location: Northern Ireland
Summary: The Community Foundation Northern Ireland has launched to offer funding to community organisations dealing with emerging issues affecting older people (aged over 50) as a result of the continuing threat of coronavirus.
Eligibility: The fund is available to constituted organisations in Northern Ireland and will prioritise partnership applications. Projects must support older people (50+) and should help to address isolation, vulnerability, wellbeing and connection.
How to apply: THe fund is open from 9am 16th March 2020 and will remain open on a rolling basis. The fund will close for applications if they do not have enough funds to meet demand. You can apply through the foundation's website.
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