This Week's Funding News wc 4th May 2020

Details of our FREE GrantTracker Offer

We really want to help mitigate everyone's loss of income due to the current lock-down. So, we're still offering NI's leading funding database free to everyone for a month. Join the 161 organisations who have already benefitted....

For the latest on Government, local Council and trust and foundation funding, keep checking our constantly updated articles on NICVA's COVID-19 Fundraising Hub

And keep up to date by following NICVA's Fundraising Advice Officer on Twitter

What is happening with the £750 million Government fund for charities across the UK?

It's now a few weeks since the UK Chancellor announced £750m of extra funding for frontline charities across the UK. It's been unclear how much of that money will make a much-needed appearance in NI - possibly up to £21m. We charities, like businesses, are being decimated by the ongoing loss of income. However, unlike most businesses, we are simultaneously experiencing a significant increase in demand for our vital services.

We are still hoping to hear extremely shortly exactly what that funding will look like for NI. And exactly how individual charities can access this. To keep up to date in the coming days, and see a great guest article from Andrew McCracken, CEO of the Community Foundation for NI, about the need to start planning, click on the link above.

New & Updated COVID-19 Grant Schemes from local Councils

The following Councils are running competive, open grant schemes. The others are distributing funds other than by open competition. See the link above for full details.

New & Updated Grant Schemes from Trusts and Foundations

A key NI fund which aims to help constituted groups in NI to deal with the emerging issues of Coronavirus.

NB This fund has been continually widening its focus. This week the priority of "Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities" was added and the fund is now offering grants of up to 10K for the following -

  • Older people (aged over 50)
  • Those at increased risk, particularly in relation to poor mental health and wellbeing
  • Vulnerable isolated people and families, particularly those living in rural areas, families where a parent/ both parents have lost their employment or where children are living in poverty
  • Children and young people’s projects, particularly focusing on the voice of young people and connecting through creative mediums.
  • Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities

NB Safeguarding guidelines changed on 27/03 to reflect the fact that groups want to respond to immediate COVID-19 issues and may not yet have full adult safeguarding policies and procedures in place. Organisations with an income of up to £1 million are now also within fund priorities.

Offering a free, tailored package of free Covid-19 support for all forms of community business – developing short – medium term cash flow, reviewing business plans, applying for funding, upholding good practice governance and utilising community shares and accessing government support.

In addition to the usual 2 key funding areas of community resilience and financial capability and inclusion, for the current round of funding they have broadened the eligibility criteria to include core running costs of causes looking to adapt or continue their vital services throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. NB Applications for the current round closing 5th May.

A new £25 million fund for social enterprises and charities experiencing disruption to their normal business model as a result of COVID-19. Part of a wider package of support announced by Big Society Capital.

Grants of up to £5,000 for freelance artists, creative practitioners and performers.

5 grants of £10,000 to VCS organisations delivering innovative and new projects in social care at this time, where statutory support is falling short, limited, or currently non-existent. County Antrim only. (Closes 1pm 1st June 2020)

£20,000 to support communities in need in NI using an online public voting system , for 4 weeks from 20th April. Each week will see groups receiving £2000 (1st place), £1500 (2nd place), £1000 (3rd place) or £500 (4th place).

Grants from £5,000 to £50,000 for COVID-19 work addressing specific challenges and helping to contribute to social change to tackle financial problems and improve living standards for those on low-to-middle incomes.

All funding decisions for the next six months (up to £300m of National Lottery funding) will be devoted to addressing the current crisis. In addition, they are accelerating the cash part of this funding as much as they can, so that they can get money to where it needs to be. This is not new money, but it will be faster money.

£50 million Heritage Emergency Fund to support the UK heritage sector as an immediate response to the COVID-19 crisis. Now accepting applications for funding from £3,000 to £50,000, and closing 30th June 2020. FAQ

Grants of £500 to £5,000 for volunteer and community groups, all school and third level education organisations, youth groups and sports clubs for civic pride projects. Now also funding community groups to support the needs of local people impacted through reduced contact. Closes 18th May at 12 noon.

Now focusing their modest funding pot on charities and community organisations helping people who are isolated and vulnerable in their local communities. Focusing now on the former Antrim Borough Council area. All potential applicants need to contact the administrator directly with an outline of the new or existing project.

Grants of up to £2500 for community based food provision responses that support local families with children under 10 as a result of the COVID-19 . Keen to support programmes providing support in the coming summer. (Managed by Community Foundation for NI)

A limited number of small grants of £150 for safety equipment and fuel for volunteers to groups assisting very localised and isolated communities in rural areas throughout Mid Ulster during COVID-19.

Small capital grants of up to £5,000 for essential capital items to adapt or increase services in response to Covid-19. Priority given to organisations supporting vulnerable and ‘at risk’ groups within their programme areas. NB Note: last week they had suspended applications temporarily. They now intend to re-open on Monday 4th May.

The National Emergencies Trust launched an appeal to raise funds to help local charities to support those individuals suffering hardship as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The money raised is now available through the Community Foundation for NI's Coronavirus Community Fund - see above. It released £2.5m to community foundations on 26th March. (NB There is no separate fund.)​

HFNI had initially focused COVID-19 funding on their SMALL and MEDIUM grants, with Large and Special Initiatives grants on hold for now due to the activity based nature of these programmes. Due to overwhelming demand, they are now offering a single grants scheme offering grants of up to £5000 for COVID-19 related projects. The aim is to make it easier for charities to access aid quickly to provide vital services during the Covid-19 crisis. So far, they've awarded £439K to 80 charities and are hoping to help as many as they can. #WeStandWithTheSector

Funded by M&S Family (including M&S Bank and M&S Energy), Lidl, Aldi, Danone UK & Ireland and Coca-Cola European Partners this new fund worth £500,000 supports community organisations helping those most at risk during VOVID-19, including older people, those on low incomes and people at risk of food insecurity. NB As of 1st May, 389K of the total 500K had already been allocated.

A fund specifically to help smaller charitable organisations affected by Covid-19. Grants of up to £10,000 for those providing much needed support to our communities. Intended as a rapid response fund, aiming to make payments within 14 days to successful applicants.

£2000 grants to sports clubs and organisations to assist with essential overheads and the costs of maintaining their facilities during the Covid-19 lockdown period.

Urgent funding for emergency food parcels, hardship payments and small grants (average £500). To request support you send an email to them. UPDATE They had closed this programme to new applications but have now reopened. Decisions for Round 1 applications already submitted will be announced on the 5th May 2020.

Emergency grants of up to £5,000 to help small charities and social enterprises respond to the COVID-19 crisis by addressing the changing needs of their beneficiaries and increasing their organisational resilience. Currently only open to existing grantees but they are aiming to raise £1 million funding to extend to other organisations. NB Paused since 24th April pending further funding becoming available.

Emergency grants of up to £5,000 to help small charities and social enterprises respond to the COVID-19 crisis by addressing the changing needs of their beneficiaries and increasing their organisational resilience. Currently only open to existing grantees but they are aiming to raise £1 million funding to extend to other organisations. NB Paused since 24th April pending further funding becoming available.

Awards of up to £5k for short term responses to Coronavirus emergency, and Awards of up to £50K for long term needs such as potential expansion and change of services for charities tackling homelessness.

NB The following grant schemes are now closed