A number of Community Foundations and other organisations have launched funding programmes to assist local organisations in responding to the challenges of coronavirus. Here's a quick guide to the organisations in England and the types of funding available.
This page will be updated so please keep checking back.
Funds accepting applications
UK-wide
Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) (UK)
Name of Fund: Coronavirus Emergency Fund
Smaller charities, not for profit organisations, social enterprises and unregistered community groups can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to help them to continue to deliver much needed support to within their communities. The funding is available to help with core costs, staffing, volunteer costs, supplies and equipment, communications or other critical charitable areas. CAF will aim for grants to be paid to selected organisations within 14 days of application.
Crisis (UK)
Name of Fund: Emergency Grant
Crisis has established an emergency grants fund to support local groups who are financially affected by additional demands on their resources and who have expanded their provision to meet the current needs of those experiencing homelessness across the UK. Local organisations and charities providing services to those experiencing homelessness can apply for grants of up to £5,000 for short-term responses to the coronavirus emergency; and grants of up to £50,000 to fund long-term needs and potential expansion or change in service delivery.
Elton John Aids Foundation (UK)
Name of Fund: Covid-19 Emergency Fund
The Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Covid-19 Emergency Fund is accepting applications for solutions that have strong potential to address specific challenges that have arisen for people already living with or at severe risk of HIV/AIDS and who are now at heightened risk as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Such solutions should aim to demonstrably mitigate the threat of Covid-19 on maintaining current levels of access or increasing access to HIV-related prevention, testing, care and treatment adherence services. The Fund is looking to support local community-based organisations, which have been awarded an Elton John AIDS Foundation grant since January 2017, for solutions lasting up to six months.
Fashion and Textile Children’s Trust (UK)
Name of Fund: Grants for families financially affected by Coronavirus
Grants are available to help parents and carers who have worked in the UK fashion or textile industry and whose household income has reduced as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Parents and carers to apply for items their children will need for the year ahead. These can include essential clothing; baby clothing, equipment or bedding; children's bedroom furniture; essential White Goods; specialist items for children with additional needs, e.g.sensory toys, adaptive clothing or SEN adapted computers
Help Musicians (UK)
Name of Fund: Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund
The £5 million pound Coronavirus Financial Hardship fund has been created to alleviate some of the immediate financial pressures that many professional musicians are currently facing with regard to their mounting household expenses. Eligible musicians can apply for a one-off payment of £500 if they are suffering significant financial hardship.
John Lewis Partnership (UK)
Name of Fund: Community Support Fund
The Community Support Fund is making £1 million available to communities across the UK. Teams in each shop will work together with their communities to choose the best way to use the fund. Help could include setting up additional local delivery services to support the self-isolating, the vulnerable, the elderly and those looking after them; delivering boxes of staples to local care homes and community groups, and donating products to create care packages for customers to share with vulnerable neighbours.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund (UK)
Name of Fund: Emergency Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has put together a £50 million fund to support the heritage sector as an immediate response to the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. Grants of between £3,000 and £50,000 will be available to organisations which have received funding in the past or are either a current grantee, or still under contract following a previous grant. Priority will be given where there is limited or no access to other sources of support; where heritage is most at risk; and where an organisation is at risk of severe financial crisis due to Covid-19
Prince’s Trust and NatWest (UK)
Name of Fund: The Prince’s Trust and NatWest Enterprise Relief Fund
The Prince’s Trust and NatWest have launched a £5 million grant fund for young entrepreneurs affected by coronavirus. The Fund is available to entrepreneurs aged 18-30, who can apply for grants and tailored support from today. Grants can be used to maintain core business operations during the crisis, as well as meet any existing financial commitments, such as paying for essential equipment or settling invoices from suppliers. In conjunction with these grants, the initiative will also offer one-to-one support and guidance to applicants who need it.
Standard Life Foundation (UK)
Name of Fund: Coronavirus pandemic – fast track applications
Funding is available for work directly related to the pandemic, addressing specific challenges and helping to contribute to social change which tackles financial problems and improves living standards for those on low-to-middle incomes in the UK. The work the Foundation might consider in relation to the pandemic is rapid analysis of key issues, for example, self-employed workers, the food and hospitality or social care sectors. Modelling of new proposals such as enhanced sick pay, help with utilities, high cost credit payments, and changes to pensions. Grants from £5,000 upwards are available.
Tesco Bags of Help (UK)
Name of Fund: Covid-19 Communities Fund
Tesco Bags of Help is responding to the current Covid-19 (coronavirus) crisis by setting up a new short-term fund to support local communities. Organisations that support vulnerable groups will be encouraged to apply for a grant of £500 to support organisational need in this time of crisis rather than fund specific projects. Applications will be welcomed from a wide range of organisations including: voluntary and community organisations, registered charities, schools, health bodies, Parish and Town councils, social enterprises, Community Interest Companies, community councils, local authorities and social housing organisations.
Thomas Pocklington Trust (UK)
Name of Fund: Covid-19 Emergency Fund for the Sight Loss Sector
To support the essential role sight loss organisations play in providing vital services to blind and partially sighted people, Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) has suspended its normal grant funding activities and set up an emergency fund for sight loss organisations. £500,000 of essential support will be available to sight loss sector organisations which are providing critical services for the physical and emotional well-being of blind and partially sighted people in these uncertain times. Grants will be available of up to £10,000 pounds or the equivalent of two months’ running costs (whichever is less) for use over the next six months.
England-wide
Sport England (England)
Name of Fund: Community Emergency Fund
This new fund aims to help community sport and physical activity organisations who are experiencing short term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Awards will be between £300 and £10,000. In exceptional circumstances Sport England will consider awards of more than £10,000.
Youth Music Network (England)
Name of Fund: Emergency Fund
Youth Music have launched an Emergency Fund for music-making organisations affected by the coronavirus. Through this fund grants of up to £10,000 are available. Priority will be given to people and organisations in the most immediate need.
Regional
South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (South Yorkshire)
Name of fund: Covid-19 Response Fund
The Covid-19 Response Fund provides grants of up to £5,000 to charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises based in South Yorkshire that are providing support to the most vulnerable and isolated in the community including: older people, those with disabilities, those with mental health needs, those on a low income and families with young children.
Funds to launch in the near future
Arts Council England
Name of Fund: Covid-19 Support to organisations and individuals
The National Emergencies Trust Coronavirus Appeal (UK)
