As 2020 limps to a close, this final NICVA funding news focuses on some key COVID-19 funding still available out of the 150+ COVID-19 brand new schemes which have come and gone in this tumultuous year.
SOME KEY COVID-19 FUNDS STILL OPEN
Grants of up to £50,000 are available, to enable churches and Christian charities to meet changing needs within their communities due to COVID-19.
- Aviva Community Fund (Current Round Closing 19th January 2021)
Every three months, £250,000 is shared equally among their UK employees to donate to the forward thinking projects that matter to them most. Each charity can apply for up to £50,000.
- Consortium: LGBT+ Futures Grants Programme (Now closed to all but NI & Wales)
Funding is available to address the additional needs of LGBT+ people and communities most adversely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and to support and strengthen LGBT+ organisations that have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Museums Association: Digital Innovation and Engagement Fund (Closing 21st December)
This COVID-19 inspired scheme offers new grants of up to £50k for creative digital engagement, focusing on those hardest hit by the economic shock resulting from COVID-19.
Their grant programme has been redeveloped to support rescues throughout the short and medium-term impact of the Coronavirus
A second phase of this fund will now offer £11.7m in financial support to charities that have lost income due to Covid-19 and are unable to cover unavoidable costs between 1 Oct 2020 - 31 Mar 2021. Community Finance Ireland is distributing the COVID-19 Charities Fund on behalf of the Northern Ireland Department for Communities. It will be open for receipt of applications on 6 January 2021 and close at 5pm on 22 January 2021.The maximum level of grant under this scheme will be £75,000. Awards will be made for the amount of money required to cover unavoidable costs up to 31 March 2021, which will vary in each situation.
Pre-application information including eligibility has been available since Monday 14th December on the Community Finance Ireland website.
Advice and guidance is available from NICVA and the first information webinar was held on Wednesday 16 December at 2.30pm. You can watch the recording here.
Requests for advice can also be made using the request form or by phoning 028 9087 7777 and a staff member will set up an advice call. The fund opens on 6 January 2021 and NICVA will provide on-going independent advice for applicants from now to the application process closes on 22 January 2021.
- The Department for Communities Sports Sustainability Fund - Managed by Sport NI (Closing 3pm, 11th January 2021)
A £15 Million fund to help the sports sector make up for the income the sector has lost over the past 6 months and to help to secure the future for Governing Bodies and clubs who have been hit hard by the Covid restrictions since March and will continue to feel the impact in the coming months
- The Department of Finance: Dormant Accounts Fund (Applications Open 12th January 2021)
Grants of up to 100K to support the VCSE sector in NI to be more resilient and prepared for the future by funding activity that increases capacity and sustainability. Funded by way of dormant accounts through the Department of Finance, the fund will be managed by the National Lottery Community Fund.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund: National Lottery Grants for Heritage from £3,000-£10,000 and £10,000-£100,000
Grants from £3,000 to £10,000 and £10,000 to £100,000 for projects that: Support organisations working with heritage to adapt and recover in the continuing coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis; or are focused on inclusion, led by and/or engaging diverse groups typically under-represented in heritage (for example, young people, minority ethnic and LGBT+ communities, disabled people and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds).
The Volant Trust: COVID-19 Response Fund (2 Deadlines, 31st December 2020 & 31st July 2021)
Grants for charities in the UK and internationally that focus on alleviating social deprivation and helping vulnerable groups who have been particularly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Applications for medical equipment and the production or distribution of PPE will also be considered.