Grants Online have shared the latest funding streams available to VCSE groups working through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Updated funding includes:
Sport England (England)
Name of Fund: Return to Play: Community Asset Fund
Sports clubs, local authorities, schools and community organisations can apply for grants of between £10,001 and £50,000 to help clubs and community groups through the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic to return to play. The Return to Play: Community Asset Fund provides capital funding, to help local sports clubs and organisations to adapt and open important places and spaces so people within their community can return to play and physical activity, safely. The focus is on responding to the immediate challenges of sports and physical activity returning to play. Priority will be given to projects located in areas of high deprivation and to organisations working with Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, people on lower incomes, disabled people, people with long-term health conditions and people experiencing a greater burden of care because of coronavirus. Applications can be submitted at any time.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Comic Relief (UK)
Name of Fund: Tech for Good Digital Development Fund ‘Build’ Programme
Not-for-profit organisations in the UK can apply for grants of up to £70,000 to use technology to explore different approaches to delivering better services during the Covid-19 crisis. Over £1 million will be available to individuals, not for profit organisations or those working in partnership to define, test and develop user-centred digital solutions to create more impact for the people they work with. Applications that aim to adapt or re-purpose existing technology are also eligible for funding. The programme aims to fund a portfolio of digital projects at different stages of development and will support a range of digital interventions. The funding is being made available through the Tech for Good digital development fund ‘Build’ programme which is being supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Comic Relief. The closing date for applications is the 12th of February 2021.
Power to Change Trust (England)
Name of Fund: Community Business Renewal Fund
Community businesses in England affected by the Covid-19 crisis can soon apply for grants of between £10,000 and £20,000 to adapt and evolve to the changing circumstances, and to remain financially viable. There are no restrictions on the grants; and they can be used to cover core staffing costs, contribute to meeting capital costs of adapting community businesses and ensuring that they can continue to provide the vital support to local people. Funding is being made available through the new Power to Change Community Business Renewal Fund and priority will be given to applications from areas of England facing high levels of deprivation, organisations supporting and led by disabled people and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME)-led or BAME-supporting businesses. There is a very short applications windows (3 hours) as high demand is anticipated. The fund will open for applications from 10 am on the 12th January 2021 until 4 pm on the 19th January 2021.
Social Investment Business (UK)
Name of Fund: Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund
Social Investment Business has announced that its Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund will close to new applications at 11.59 pm on the 31st March 2021. The £25 million fund provides emergency loans of between £100,000 to £1,500,000 with no fees or interest for the first twelve months to social enterprises and charities which are facing financial difficulty and disruption to their trading due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Fund is intended to provide working capital until the normal business can resume for organisations that are improving people’s lives across the UK. Loans, which are backed by the Government’s existing Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, could be used to cover delays in trade payments, or for business modification to meet the increase in service demand. Applicants will be considered on a first-come-first-served basis.
Volant Trust (UK / International)
Name of Fund: Covid-19 Response Fund
The Volant Trust has announced that its Covid-19 Response Fund has re-opened for applications. The Trust is accepting applications from registered charities, community interest companies, community organisations or social enterprises in the UK and internationally that demonstrate a strong focus on alleviating social deprivation and helping vulnerable groups who have been particularly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Funding is available to support running and core costs as well as for medical equipment and the production or distribution of PPE will also be considered. There are no funding levels indicated at the award of grants will be at the discretion of the Trustees. The closing date for applications is the 31st of July 2021.
Central England Co-operative (Central England)
Name of Fund: Community Dividend Fund
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Central England Co-operative’s Community Dividend Fund will provide immediate financial support for charities, community groups, and local good causes suffering financial hardship due to the pandemic. Grants of between £100 to £5,000 (the average grant is £2,000) are available to employees and members of Central England Co-operative for projects which help local communities deal with the impact of Covid-19. The aim of the fund will be to reduce the potential for loneliness and feeling of isolation of vulnerable people, ensuring their mental health and wellbeing is maintained. Funding will also provide emergency support such as foodbanks. The Society will consider funding a defined part of a larger project, such as the refurbishment of premises. The deadline for applications is the 31st January 2021.
Department for Education (England)
Name of Fund: Covid Workforce Fund
The Department for Education has announced a short-term Covid Workforce Fund to support schools and colleges facing financial and staffing pressures due to the Covid-19 pandemic in England. The Fund is designed to cover costs for mainstream schools with a short-term teacher absence rate at or above 20 per cent, or a lower long-term absence rate at or above 10 per cent. Funding will apply to the current half term, and will be backdated to 1 November 2020. Claims can include the cost of supply teachers and other options such as paying additional hours for teachers who are part time. To be eligible for the funding, schools will also have to show they have used any existing financial reserves first
To see Grants Online’s full list of local and national funding available, click here