COVID-19 has sent a tumultuous shock across the world and the effects can be felt across every sector. The voluntary sector is no exception, operating under increased funding constraints, more pressure on resources and an urgent need for resilience.
Despite a significant package of funding being announced by the Chancellor to combat the crisis, charities will have noticed that funding support for the voluntary sector was missing. Voluntary organisations are being forced to look elsewhere for immediate financial support during this turbulent time.
As a result of this the team here at IG Voluntary have identified some key sources of funding that voluntary organisations can access to help to ensure they are able to support their local communities through this crisis.
Indigo Trust, £2.5m available
Indigo Trust recently announced that they would be making £2.5 million available through emergency grants to support charities through the COVID-19 crisis. These grants will be distributed to local organisations through the National Emergencies Trust, the Trussell Trust and the Oxfordshire Community Foundation.
Martin Lewis's Coronavirus Poverty Relief fund, £3m made available
Martin Lewis, otherwise known as the Money Saving Expert, launched a fund amounting to £3 million to support small and local charities actively responding to the COVID-19 crisis.
The fund has now closed. However, the MSE Charity is reviewing criteria for its next funding round, due to be launched on 1st September 2020.
Philanthropist Steve Morgan, £1m a week
Steve Morgan, founder of housebuilder Redrow and former owner of Wolverhampton Wanderers, has pledged £1m a week to support charities who are working with vulnerable groups in society to help them to overcome COVID-19, including the elderly, children and people with disabilities. These funds will be distributed to local charities in Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales.
London Fund, £2m
The London Mayor, City Bridges Trust and London Funders have joined forces to create a £2m fund to support London based VCSE organisations who are struggling due to COVID-19. VCSE organisations struggling due to increased demand, restrictions on volunteering and funding restrictions.
Kent Community Foundation, Grants up to £10,000
Kent Community Foundation recently launched their Coronavirus Emergency Fund, offering grants of up to £10,000 for charities who have an annual income of £200,000 or less. This fund will prioritise organisations supporting vulnerable and elderly groups.
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, £200,000
The Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund has been launched by the foundation to support local charities supporting the elderly and vulnerable during COVID-19. The Foundation has contributed £200,000 initially to the fund, with appeals for funders and businesses to offer donations to the fund.
Cumbria Community Foundation, £100,000
The Foundation will be offering grants to local organisations supporting vulnerable people through COVID-19 through it’s Coronavirus Response Fund.
We hope you find the above list of resources helpful and we will be looking to keep this list updated as new funding sources become available. If you come across any sources yourselves that you think should be on this list then please reach out to us through our social accounts below.
This piece is one of many we will be providing in the coming months as part of the IG Voluntary Community Hub. We offer sector-leading policy events, leading best practice content and thought pieces from across the sector, IG Voluntary is here to support voluntary leaders and professionals improve outcomes and maximise the impact of all charities and NGOs.
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