Coronavirus weekly funding updates - 5-9 October

As we receive updates from our research team in Liverpool, we'll post weekly updates to coronavirus funding programmes and more to help you (remember - don't forget to share!)

No time to read 50-page government policy documents? Don’t worry – we’ve done it so you don’t have to. Check out our short summary of the UK Government’s Our Plan to Rebuild policy paper on ending the social lockdown – wherein we summarise the key points, outline current timings, and raise issues for charity staff and trustees to consider (which, let’s face it, you won’t get in the gov.uk version). View our summary here.

Thursday 8 October

The Wessex Water Recovery Fund is open for applications from local projects across the South West. The fund is being delivered by Quartet, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire Community Foundations. Grants up to £2,500 are available to a wide range of projects with priority being given to those that are working to:  

  • support people in financially difficult circumstances
  •  help build stronger communities
  • support the green recovery with new initiatives
  • restoring and protecting nature and wildlife for community health and wellbeing 

Applications are particularly welcomed from BAME groups. 

Applications close at midday on 4 December. Find more information here. 

Wednesday 7 October

The Rank Foundation has created a new £10 million programme, with £5 million of matched funding from the government’s Community Match Challenge scheme. It will distribute funds to 200 small and medium sized charities and social enterprises, primarily to those within their RankNet network. Organisations must be in urgent and immediate financial need and either be facing unprecedented demand for their services or a significant reduction in income due to the pandemic. The foundation will also be offering 200 charities and social enterprises to take part in their Time to Shine Leadership Programme, which will create new jobs in the social sector. Find out more here. 

Tuesday 6 October

The Garfield Weston Foundation launched its £25 million Weston Culture Fund on 5 October. The fund has been established to help arts organisations reopen and find ways to engage with their audiences – ‘helping the sector to get back on its feet again’. The fund is for charities and CIOs with a pre-COVID turnover of over £500,000. The grants range from £100,000 to £2 million, based on the size of the organisation. The application deadline is 5pm on 9 November 2020. Find out more here.

Monday 5 October

Postcode Recovery Fund

The Postcode Dream Trust has launched its Postcode Recovery Fund which will provide funding for projects that address systemic societal issues related to the pandemic. The fund’s six focus areas are: educational inequalities; homelessness; domestic violence; health and wellbeing; social exclusion and isolation; poverty. The fund will offer a total award fund of £3 million for charitable organisations to deliver projects in Great Britain between 2021 and 2023. Find out more here.

 

For information on 8,000 sources of funding giving a total of £8 billion, take a look at Funds Online.