Covid-19 Funding

 Arts Council Funding - Creative Support Fund

03.08.2020

​Arts Council funding opens 31st July 2020
Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has today announced the Creative Support Fund will reopen on 31 July with a £4m support package for the arts, creative industries and cultural sector.

The fund for individuals will open from 31 July until 17 August and the awards will range from £1,000 to £5,000.The organisational strand will reopen for new applications from small and medium sized organisations in August and the maximum award available is £25,000. Both funds will be administered by the Arts Council.

Priority will be given to those who have been unable to access other forms of financial support from Government or other sources.
https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/node/45512

The COVID-19 Charities Fund is Reopening for 3 Weeks

30.07.2020 

The COVID-19 Charities Fund is reopening on 3 August for 3 weeks,
The funding programme, which is being administered on behalf of the Department for Communities by The National Lottery Community Fund, will provide financial support to charities which have lost income due to the impact of COVID-19 and are unable to cover unavoidable costs until 30 September 2020.
A diverse range of charities have already received funding ranging from £1,000 to £75,000 in the initial tranche with an average request for £21,000 financial assistance.
The Minister explained:
“It is really important that we help those who helped us during this global pandemic and I am delighted to be launching the second round of the COVID-19 Charities Fund, which will be open for applications from 3 August.
“Reopening for a further three weeks will ensure more groups have the opportunity to apply and I would encourage all organisations including small and grassroot groups to apply to the fund. Over a third of applications to date have been for less than £10,000 so this fund is for all charities of all sizes facing different levels of financial hardship.”
The programme will provide up to £75,000 for eligible organisations and the amount of funding required to cover immediate costs and prevent short term closure will vary for each organisation.
Organisations wishing to avail of the funding programme must meet a number of eligibility points. Help is available to make an application. Further information can be found on the Department’s website
https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/covid-19-charities-fund
​

TRPSI Rural Business Development Grant Scheme

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30/07/2020
TRPSI Rural Business Development Grant Scheme
 
The Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme’s (TRPSI) Rural Business Development Grant Pilot Scheme aims to sustain and support the development of micro rural businesses across Northern Ireland by providing a small capital grant for the business. This is a pilot capital grant scheme for a grant of up to £4,999 to support the purchase of new capital items or activities including equipment, machinery and building works, which cost no more than £20,000.  Examples of eligible expenditure includes computer equipment with associated software, new equipment or machinery, or minor building works to bring an area of a building back into economic use or improve/change the use of the building.
The TRPSI Programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and this grant Programme is administered and managed by local Councils.
Application forms will be available to download from Monday 3 Aug with closing date for applications Friday 11 Sept at noon
ABC Borough Council
Tel: 07785 517483 or 07702696260
Email: economicdevelopment@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
Web: https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/business/
 
NMD District Council
Tel: 0330 137 4000 and ask to speak to a member of the Rural Development team.
https://www.newrymournedown.org/rural-business-development-grant
​
20.21.036a_rural_micro_business_growth_scheme_-_scheme_information_final.pdf
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The David Cross Young People's Fund

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29.07.2020
​The David Cross Young People’s Fund has been established by the David Cross Foundation, in partnership with the Community Foundation for NI and the Department for Communities.
Closing Date: Sep 11, 2020 13:00
The Fund has been established to support young people in Northern Ireland, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship and employability. It is envisaged that it will offer grants of up to £15,000.
The fund recognises that we all face huge challenges to our way of life as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is particularly true of young people, many of whom will have seen their education interrupted at a key moment, their future plans derailed and their employment prospects damaged.
To help address this the fund aims to make a small number of awards to organisations working with young people to enable them to meet these and other challenges.
It’s one of five philanthropic funds investing in the voluntary and community sector to roll out this year. Philanthropic funding has been secured from individuals, families and charitable trusts and is being matched funded by DfC to support innovative and sustainable projects within a broad range of themes across NI.

Applications are invited from community and voluntary sector organisations, youth groups, schools and colleges who are working with young people aged 12-25 in Northern Ireland
​
https://communityfoundationni.org/grants/the-david-cross-young-peoples-fund/


Childcare Recovery Support Fund

27/07/2020
𝘾𝙃𝙄𝙇𝘿𝘾𝘼𝙍𝙀 𝙁𝙐𝙉𝘿 𝙊𝙋𝙀𝙉𝙎 𝙏𝙊𝘿𝘼𝙔!The Childcare Recovery Support Fund will launch on Monday 27 July 2020.
The scheme will be  administered by Early Years – the organisation for young children on behalf of the Department of Education.
Early Years has created a user friendly online application system to assist all eligible childcare providers with applying to the Childcare Recovery Support Fund.
An individualised link to the applicable streams of funding will be sent by email from FSNI to all eligible beneficiaries on Monday 27 July 2020.
​𝙃𝙊𝙒 𝙏𝙊 𝘼𝙋𝙋𝙇𝙔 ➡️ 𝙬𝙬𝙬.𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮-𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨.𝙤𝙧𝙜/𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚-𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮-𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩-𝙛𝙪𝙣𝙙
This support is aimed at:
🔶registered day care and school age settings
🔶childminders
🔶playgroups
The package of measures developed for the period 1 July to 31 August will:
✅ Provide financial support to childcare providers to assist them to operate within the parameters of the Executive’s childcare recovery plan
✅ Ensure as many providers as possible can open to assist parents returning to work
allow for the continuation of the bespoke
✅Approved Home Childcarer Scheme aimed at enabling parents to have their childcare needs met in their own homes

https://www.early-years.org/childcare-recovery-support-fund?

Digital Social Innovation through Community Foundation NI

​ 
A programme for Digital Social InnovationTechies in Residence (TiR) is focused on creating powerful change within communities through digital technology.
 
Digital technology holds huge potential to help the VCSE sector develop new innovative solutions to address community challenges and issues. This has become even more evident in light of the outbreak of COVID 19 with many organisations grappling with the shift to digital working – and how best to respond to it.
 
We have partnered with the Centre for Acceleration of Social Technology (CAST), offering free online 'Design Hop' workshops to support organisations explore their digital needs, providing digital support for new and old challenges faced by organisations.
 
A Design Hop, will guide organisations through the design thinking process, exploring the role of digital in their charitable services. These free workshops will provide a step-by-step approach to help plan and prioritise new digital technology within an organisation services. This will also act as the initial exploratory activity to see if the Techies in Residence programme will meet their needs (an information session on the TiR programme will be available within each Design Hop workshop.)
 
 
*Please note it is NOT a requirement to apply to Techies in Residence after you have signed up to a Design Hop. This is a digital support programme for organisations to assess their organisations digital needs.

 https://communityfoundationni.org/programmes/techies-in-residence/?dm_i=24PQ,6XZLX,LZU3,RXKT2,1


All Churches Trust

21/07/2020
Funding for Churches & Faith Groups - Allchurches Trust has launched a grants programme to help churches and Christian charities meet changing needs within their communities as the longer-term impact of Covid-19 becomes clearer.
Hope Beyond funding will look to address these three themes:
• Projects responding to the issues of loneliness and isolation exacerbated by the Coronavirus pandemic where new and/or enhanced support is being proposed. This could include enabling improved accessibility to buildings/activities and measures to ensure buildings are Covid-19 safe
• Projects focused on growing community resilience and promoting mental and emotional health and wellbeing, including the provision of mental health and wellbeing support groups and 1:1 counselling for people of all ages (including clergy).
• Projects focused on growing technological capability and resilience, particularly increasing digital capacity and provision, and supporting those without online access to get online through training and support.
In all cases, applicants will need to demonstrate how their project is seeking to directly respond to increasing/new need as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to funding capital projects, such as adaptation of buildings and the purchase of equipment, the Hope Beyond programme will also fund project-related salaries and some other revenue costs (to the end of 2021), such as training of staff and/or volunteers. This recognises that many churches and Christian charities are facing significant financial hardship at this time and that additional resource may be required to implement new ways of working and introduce new and/or enhanced support and activities to meet changing need. The programme will not support general ‘business as usual’ running costs.
Grants of up to £50,000 are available to churches and Christian charities, and the amount you receive will depend upon the cost of your project and the level of need in your community, ranging from 10% of project cost through to 80%.
https://www.allchurches.co.uk/what-we-fund/hopebeyond/

Sports Hardship Fund

21/07/2020
Sports Hardship Fund
​This fund will close for completed applications at 12 noon on Wednesday 5th August 2020.
​Sport NI in partnership with the Department for Communities are delighted to announce the re-opening of the Sports Hardship Fund; to help sports clubs and other organisations delivering sporting activities, who are experiencing financial hardship.
The Sports Hardship Fund initially opened on 14 April and has provided support totalling £1.245M to help over 600 sports clubs maintain facilities during the lockdown.
Who we can support
Any organisation delivering sport and physical recreation can apply to our fund if experiencing short term financial hardship.
These organisations include:
·         National Governing Body of Sport (based in NI)
·         Constituted local sports clubs affiliated to a Governing Body of Sport recognised by Sport NI
·         Community & Voluntary sector organisations that deliver or enable sport and/or physical recreation. Sports and Activities must be recognised by Sport NI.
·         Small charitable trusts that do not qualify for financial help elsewhere. Sports and Activities must be recognised by Sport NI.
http://www.sportni.net/funding/our-funding-programmes/sports-hardship-fund-

Food for Thought

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09/07/2020

Have you ever thought about growing some of your own food but didn’t know where to start?
A new Food For Thought Project is the very thing to get you going (and growing)!
There are so many reasons to grow even a small amount of food; it’s so good for mental and physical health, you get out in the fresh air and best of all you will be astonished at the flavour of the results!
Live Here Love Here, along with their 2 project partners The Conservation Volunteers and Belfast Food Network we will be distributing 550 Food for Thought resource packs. These packs will have everything you need depending on the space you have available and will include seeds suitable for growing at this time, compost, pots and gloves, with an apple tree for those who have lots of room. We want applications from community groups, families and individuals of all ages from across Northern Ireland.
The project is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and a series of expert webinars, toolkits and how to videos are planned, to show you some really simple ways to use the produce you grow - because when food is that fresh and tasty you don’t need to complicate things! 
As a positive response to Covid-19, we want to create a whole community of growers and eaters who support each other in a truly sustainable way. We want to see your pics and hear about your adventures along the way so keep us updated by using the hashtag #FoodForThought or email Jilly on jilly.dougan@keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org
To apply for Food For Thought packs, create a profile via the button below. If you have already created a profile on our website before, click login at the top of the page. Once you have created a profile simply click the 'Food For Thought Applications' tab on your profile page to begin your application.
Applications will open on 6th July 2020 at 2pm and will close on the 20th July at 12noon. 
*Please note* Preference will be given to applications from areas of social deprivation or those who demonstrate the greatest need in the application. 


Community Foundation for Northern Ireland - New Needs Fund

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29/06/2020 (07.07.2020 updated terms - see website for details)
​Closing Date: Aug 28, 2020 13:00
Apply here > https://bit.ly/3iginOK

£600,000 New Needs Fund now open to support communities to address new needs appearing as a result of coronavirus.
Up to £15,000 of funding available

Grassroots organisations working within their local community in particular to support the following beneficiaries:
  • o    Children and young people, in particular young women and girls
  • o    Older people
  • o    People with disabilities
  • o    People with poor mental health
  • o    Black, Asian and ethnic minorities
  • o    Rurally isolated people
  • o    People in poverty
  • o    Persons in institutions such as care homes (children in care, older people in care) rehabilitation centres
  • o    LGBTQ+ community
  • o    Anyone identified as discriminated and excluded; particularly when it comes to practice and policy
 
Fund objectives:
·         To help organisations and communities to respond better, addressing new needs appearing as a result of the Coronavirus and where restrictions mean finding new ways of meeting existing needs.
·         To help organisations and communities to #build back better, helping to ensure organisations can thrive and continue to provide longer-term support to communities
It will focus on community led responses that will:
·         Enhance existing community services and activities around health and wellbeing and help people cope with adversity.
·         Provide ongoing emergency support initiatives that directly support those most at risk as a result of the threat of coronavirus, and that clearly evidence the need for support.
·         Support innovation and creativity for those community organisations disrupted as a result of Covid-19 but that are continuing to provide a valuable service at this time.
·         Encourage collaboration and strengthen collaborative activity and responses to issues affecting those most marginalised in Northern Ireland, in particular the LGBTQ+ community, black, asian and ethnic minorities, and those most at risk, including those suffering from domestic violence, and those living in poverty.
·         Invest in social cohesion and resilience, and empower and connect community based organisations.
·         Encourage adaptation, innovation and agility of the sector, and ensure preparedness for the future.

​Apply here > https://bit.ly/3iginOK
07.07.2020 Scheme updated to gives grants from £1,000 and to include set rate for Staff costs.
https://communityfoundationni.org/grants/the-new-need-fund/

COVID-19 Charities Fund


30.06.2020
Suitable for :Local charities facing severe financial difficulty
Funding size :Up to £75,000
Total available :£15.5 million
Application deadline: Friday 10 July, 4pm

​The National Lottery Community Fund, in partnership with the Department for Communities, are delivering the COVID-19 Charities Fund. The programme provides financial support to charities who have lost income due to the impact of COVID-19 and are not able to cover unavoidable costs until 30 September 2020.
 
The programme is currently open until July 10th but The National Lottery Community Fund are making decisions on a weekly basis so encourage applicants not to wait until close to the deadline to apply.
 
The Fund has hosted a series of information webinars over the past week and the main questions asked at these have been: 
  • Who is eligible for the funding?
  • What financial information we require charities to provide?
  • What kinds of costs can be covered by the funding?

​You can find the answers to all these questions, along with the application form, an instructional video on how to fill in the Financial Pro Forma and contact details on The National Lottery Community Fund website.

You can also view NICVA’s recent webinar with TNL Community Fund here.

​Aviva Community Fund broadens criteria to help communities during this time of need

22/06/2020
​The COVID-19 outbreak is a challenging time for many. We know that now, more than ever, small charities need our support. That is why we have broadened the criteria of the Aviva Community Fund to include applications for projects that enable causes to adapt or continue their vital services by covering core running costs, so they can help their beneficiaries and communities during this time of need. 
See updated terms and conditions. 
Applications are now open for the next round of the Aviva Community Fund until 28th July
To apply please visit https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/start-crowdfunding#criteria

The Halifax Foundation (Northern Ireland)

18/06/2020
Name of Fund: Small Community Grants Programme
UPDATE - This funder will revert to normal funding after 30th June 2020
​ 
In response to the coronavirus, The Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland is making emergency funding available to registered charities and constituted groups which have been adversely affected by the crisis. The Small Community Grants Programme will provide funding of up to £2,500 to help organisations react to the pandemic, prepare to reopen or adapt services accordingly, and to restore/renew in order to enable ongoing service provision. Funding can be used for projects which must commence within the next three months, and can be used to cover core costs such as salaries, administrative costs and general running costs of projects. Organisations must have an income of less than one million. Applications can be made on a rolling basis.
https://www.halifaxfoundationni.org/programmes/community-grant-programme 


​Children in Need COVID-19 Next Steps Grant - Between £5,000 and £80,000

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17/06/2020
​The Next Steps funding programme is a Children in Need’s response programme designed to deliver support for children and young people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible organisations will be able to apply for between £5,000 and £80,000 for projects commencing in September 2020.
This will open for applications from 10th June 2020
The deadline for this programme is 1 July 2020
These grants can last up to 18 months. It is designed for established organisations who are already delivering work in their communities and further afield.

Who can apply?
The Next Steps programme will be for not-for-profit organisations within the UK who meet their Minimum Standards for Grantmaking. Your organisation must be registered with the appropriate regulatory body, such as your nation’s Charity Commission or companies House (unless your organisation currently holds a BBC Children in Need grant).

They will not be accepting applications from educational institutions (including schools), prisons, hospitals or other statutory bodies.

The deadline for this programme is 1 July 2020. We expect that this fund will be over-subscribed and only a proportion of applications will be successful.

To find out more, click the link below.

https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/grants/covid-19-funding-streams/

​RCN & The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland COVID 19 Charity Fund Online Seminar

17/06/2020

RCN & The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland COVID 19 Charity Fund Online Seminar-Tuesday 23rd June from 2pm-3pm.
Rural Community Network NI would like to invite you to a ZOOM session with The National Lottery Community Fund to hear about how the Department of Communities NI COVID-19 Charities Fund will be delivered in Northern Ireland. The session will be held on Tuesday the 23rd June 2020 from 2pm-3pm.
The National Lottery Community Fund’s NI Director Kate Beggs and Funding Manager Jenny Fitzgerald will make a short presentation and RCN staff will also be present during the session.
To register for the event, please email teresa@ruralcommunitynetwork.org or ring 028 8676 6670. An email invite to the Zoom session will be sent to you prior to the meeting.
Also if you have any questions about the scheme that can be answered during the session, please email them to conor@ruralcommunitynetwork.org by 4pm on Monday 22nd June.
More information on the programme is available from: https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/covid-19-charities-fund

Covid-19 Charities Fund Webinar

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11/06/2020
​NICVA would like to invite you to a webinar with The National Lottery Community Fund
to hear about how the Department for Communities COVID-19 Charities Fund
will be delivered in Northern Ireland.
 
Wednesday 17 June 2020 -
11:00am to 12:30pm

The webinar will be on Wednesday 17 June at 11.00am. The National Lottery Community Fund’s NI Director Kate Beggs and Funding Manager Jenny Fitzgerald will make a short presentation and then respond to questions from organisations. You can submit your question here and these will be collated and raised with Kate and Jenny on the webinar.    Please register and submit your questions by Tuesday 16 June at 3pm. You will receive an email with a link to the zoom meeting the day before the webinar.
The £15.5 million COVID-19 Charities Fund will open for applications on Monday June 15th to help local charities facing financial difficulties as a result of the current public health emergency.    
The funding programme will provide financial support to charities which have lost income due to the impact of Covid-19 and are unable to cover unavoidable costs until September 30th 2020. Faith based charities can apply as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
The programme will provide up to £75,000 for eligible organisations and will be administered on behalf of the Department for Communities by The National Lottery Community Fund.  The amount of funding required to cover immediate costs and prevent short term closure will vary for each organisation. 
The National Lottery Community Fund has been appointed to administer the COVID-19 Charities Fund due to their expertise and experience. This provides the most effective and efficient route to get the grants to the organisations who need them most.
It should be noted that the funding source is Government and is not coming from the National Lottery, therefore by applying to this fund, you will be accessing money from the Government and not from the lottery.
 More information on the Charity Fund is available https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/covid-19-charities-fund

Rosa's Covid-19 response Fund (Small Grants)

03.06.2020

​Rosa’s Covid-19 Response Fund (Small Grants) is now open and will provide grants of up to £10,000 for specialist women’s organisations across the UK.
FUND STATUS: OPEN
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
GRANT SIZES: £1,000 - £10,000
The purpose of this first stage response fund is to provide quick and straightforward grants with very basic eligibility criteria. We think it’s vitally important that this is an open call for women’s organisations to apply for what they identify as a short-term funding need. There is no deadline for applications – we will consider them on a rolling basis from 5pm on Friday 5th June. We will do our best to notify applicants of the decision within approximately two weeks of submitting an application. 
Rosa particularly welcomes proposals from women’s organisations that: 
  • Address the critical needs of women and girls that miss out the most, including: marginalised populations, BME women, LGBTQ+ women and girls, women and girls with disabilities, older women, homeless women, survivors of gender violence, women in prison and ex-offenders, and other underserved and disadvantaged groups of women.
  • Operate in less economically resilient towns, cities and rural areas within the UK. 
To apply, please complete our brief ONLINE APPLICATION FORM outlining how you will use the funding. Please make sure to read the FULL GUIDANCE DOCUMENT before applying, and have a look through our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
We’re keen to ensure the application process is as simple as possible, so please contact us at info@rosauk.org if you have any queries about submitting an application.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland - Organisations Emergency Programme (OEP)

03.06.2020
​​On Monday 1st June 2020 The Arts Council of Northern Ireland opened the Organisations Emergency Programme (OEP), worth £500,000, which offers organisations the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £25,000 each.
Small and medium sized organisations will be able to apply for maximum funding of £25,000 to help them continue creative work, assist with operational costs, where these have been affected as a result of the COVID-19, and to help plan for recovery. 
 
​The OEP programme is open for applications from Monday 1st June for proposals ending March 2021, and will close at 4pm on Friday 12th June 2020.
Organisations Emergency Programme
·         The Arts Council will aim to communicate decisions by the end of July. Application forms and guidance notes are available at http://artscouncil-ni.org/funding/for-organisations
·         Organisations whose primary purpose is arts activity, and which have received public funding to support their work, are eligible to apply and independent museums and libraries that have plans to deliver arts and broader cultural programmes are also eligible.
·         The Arts Council hopes to bring forward the opening of SIAP General Awards to June.
·         The Arts Council plans to open the Commissioning Programme in August.

Independent Age (UK)

25.05.2020
Name of Fund: Independent Age Grants Fund
Independent Age, which promotes independent living amongst older people has launched a £2 million Independent Age Grants Fund to help smaller charities across the UK working with older people hardest hit by the Coronavirus.  The funding will be made available over four separate funding rounds. In each round Independent Age will make £500,000 available.  Charities working with older people will be able to apply for grants of up to £15,000.  The first closing date will be at 9am on the 4th June 2020.
https://www.independentage.org/community/grants-fund 

NI Micro-business Hardship Fund 

19.05.2020

This document answers some of the initial questions you may have about the NI Microbusiness Hardship Fund. Further detailed guidance will be available when the fund opens.
How much is the fund?
The NI Executive will make up to £40million available through the NI Micro-business Hardship Fund. When can I apply? It was announced on Friday, 15 May that the NI Micro-business Hardship Fund will open for online applications within seven days.

An online eligibility checker will be available week commencing 18 May on ​https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/coronavirus-ni-micro-business-hardship-fund
​
Find further information in the eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions on the NI Micro-business Hardship Fund (PDF, 338K).
​

​Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (UK)

07.05.2020
Name of Fund:  Tampon Tax Fund
The deadline for applications is midnight on the 31st May 2020.

Charities and organisations with charitable purposes from across the UK can now apply for funding of £1 million or more from the latest round of the UK government’s Tampon Tax Fund. The Fund allocates monies generated from the VAT on sanitary projects to improve the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged women and girls. Applications should focus on one of four categories: violence against women and girls, young women’s mental health, or the general programme.
Applications for this round of funding which include activities that seek to address the consequences of Covid-19 for disadvantaged women and girls are also welcome. Grants may be for one- or two-year projects, and separate applications for more than one project may be submitted.
​The deadline for applications is midnight on the 31st May 2020.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tampon-tax-fund-application-form-2020-2021-funding-round 

​OneFamily Foundation (UK)

05.05.2020
​Name of Fund:  Community Grants
Nominations close Tuesday 12th May 2020
The OneFamily Foundation is inviting its customers to nominate a local charity, group or cause for a Community Grant of up to £2,500 to help them to continue providing support to those affected by the coronavirus, or who themselves are struggling to maintain their usual services. Examples for nominations might include foodbanks, support groups or homeless charities. The Foundation has already helped more than two hundred good causes deliver projects such as helping disability charities invest in their resources, and community groups tackle isolation amongst the older generation. Nominations for this round close on the 12th May 2020.
https://www.onefamily.com/your-foundation/community-grants/ 

​Neighbourly (UK)

05.05.2020

​Name of Fund: Neighbourly Community Fund
Giving Platform "Neighbourly" is launching a series of micro-grants of up to £400, to support good causes that are helping communities affected by the new Coronavirus outbreak.  Grants will be awarded to existing members of Neighbourly in UK and Ireland whose work will involve supporting members of the community suffering economically, socially or from ill health as a result of the outbreak. This may include, but not be limited to, elderly people, those on low incomes and people at risk of food insecurity. Grants are unrestricted and can go towards food provision, emergency supplies, practical support, running costs, transport and other essentials.
https://www.neighbourly.com/neighbourlycommunityfund

​Funding for Young People to Respond to the Covid-19 Crisis (UK)4th May 2020

05.05.2020
​Deadline for Applications : 15-May-2020  
Currently Closed
The Alec Dickson Trust is inviting applications of up to £1,000 from UK-based volunteering or community service projects, organised and run by people under 30 years old, which directly or indirectly respond to COVID-19.  Applications must also align with Public Health England guidance on how to volunteer safely during the pandemic, including safe-distancing and regular handwashing, and any other official governmental advice regarding COVID-19.
Applicants should complete the short application form below and submit by email to the chair@alecdicksontrust.org.uk  by 20:00 on Friday 15th May.
To enable rapid response, applications will be reviewed and funding decisions made on a rolling basis as they are received, with Trustees notifying successful applicants within a few weeks of submission.
 
Useful Links:
Application Form

Link:  http://www.alecdicksontrust.org.uk/apply/

​The Creative Support Fund’ 


27/04/2020
Commmunities Minister Launches £1.5m Support Fund for Arts Sector to support individuals and organisations in the Arts Sector in response to COVID-19.

Individual artists and creative practitioners, who have lost their work as a result of COVID-19, can apply for funding of up to £5,000 to take new and innovative approaches in continuing to provide their talents and services to audiences, particularly those facing barriers to the arts.
Small and medium sized organisations will be able to apply for maximum funding of £25,000 to help them develop new projects or programmes or re-arrange events which have had to be cancelled during the COVID-19 period.
​
​www.communities-ni.gov.uk/news/communities-minister-launches-ps15m-support-fund-arts-sector

Budget Energy Covid-19 Response Fund

23/04/2020
​Budget Energy Covid-19 Response Fund
There is now a dedicated £50,000 fund to help customers who may find themselves struggling finanially during these difficult times. The funding will provide a one-time payment of £50 and will take the form of either a £50 credit to bill-pay customers, or a £50 top up credit for keypad customers.

Learn more

EA Youth Service has launched its Eat Well Live Well programme for Young people​

23/04/2020

EA Youth Service has launched its Eat Well Live Well programme for Young people registered with EA Youth Service aged 4-25 years who need access to a 5-day food box providing breakfast & lunch Mon-Fri as part of a safety net to the provision of free school meals during Covid-19.
​
Find a Centre Near you here https://bit.ly/2yuX4Gz
Get More information here https://bit.ly/3akfas8
Register for support here https://bit.ly/2XUWn4e

​Covid 19 - Discretionary Support Form

22/04/2020
***Covid 19 - Discretionary Support Form***
 
To help support people during the COVID-19 pandemic the Department for Communities has put in place a non-repayable GRANT payment to assist with short-term living expenses where a person, or a member of their immediate family, has been infected by COVID-19 or told to self-isolate. 
 
To apply for the grant you can fill in the claim form here through the below link. 
 
 
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/discretionary-support-form 

Charities Aid Foundation (UK)

21/04/2020
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.
https://www.cafonline.org/charities/grantmaking/caf-coronavirus-emergency-fund

FARMERS CAN APPLY FOR THE SELF EMPLOYED SCHEME

‼️ CONFIRMED ... ‼️
FARMERS CAN APPLY FOR THE SELF EMPLOYED SCHEME:
It has been confirmed today by our Economy Minister Diane Dodds that farmers can apply for the self-employed scheme brought in by the U.K. Government.
The payment will see them qualify for a taxable grant worth 80% of their trading profits, capped at £2,500 a month based on their last three years of trading. Also they must meet the qualifying criteria.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

Please note:
You cannot make a claim yet.
HMRC will aim to contact you by mid May 2020 if you’re eligible for the scheme, and invite you to claim using the GOV.UK online service.
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​Coronavirus: £25,000 Retail, Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Grant

Coronavirus: £25,000 Retail, Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Grant20 April 2020

Registration is now open for businesses to apply for the £25,000 Business Grant Scheme for the retail, hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors. This scheme has been provided to support businesses that are currently experiencing financial hardship, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and have a need for financial relief under the terms and conditions of the Business Support Scheme. 

Businesses can complete a pre-application check, apply for the scheme and provide their bank details by completing the following online application form.

https://www.covid-19smallbusinessgrants.economy-ni.gov.uk/BusinessGrant25K/

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​Food for Life Get Togethers: EMERGENCY COVID-19 SMALL GRANTS

21/04/2020
Food for Life Get Togethers: EMERGENCY COVID-19 SMALL GRANTS
For Newry, Mourne and Down Council Area only
Now Closed
 
Whilst Food For Life Get Togethers community small grants offer is paused, our programme has made available Emergency COVID-19 small grant fund to assist with community led responses that are centred around food, growing & social isolation responses. We are seeking applications to the value of £1,000.
 
To enable us to get this money into our communities where it is needed quickly, the turnaround time for applications is short.
 
Application open:           Monday 20th April 2020 (Today)
Closing date:                   Tuesday 28th April 2020 @ 5.30pm
Successful grants paid:  Thursday 7th May 2020.
 
At this time we have 12 grants available in Northern Ireland (location conditions apply) Dependant on the number of applications we could potentially receive, we reserve the right to close the application round early.  Please find attached the application form which provides full information and for your ease I have bullet pointed the application criteria below so that you can ascertain at a glance whether this is a grant you'd be interested to apply for below.  If you wish to apply or would like to recommend an organisation who could benefit then please let me know on return, alternatively call me on 07468 691308 should you have any questions.
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final_covid_19_grant_application_form__2_.docx
File Size: 170 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

​ABC Council Covid-19 Community Support Grant

17/04/2020
​Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council is offering financial assistance of up to £1,000 to organisations in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector to support community-led initiatives aimed at providing relief to those affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. In particular it will support actions in line with the following interventions:
  • Financial – to those on low income and at risk due to financial stress.
  • Food – access to food (whether due to cost or availability) for those most in need.
  • Connectivity – to those living alone or in rural and border areas that are likely to experience greater challenges in accessing services.
The grant programme opens on Friday 17th April and will remain open on a rolling basis until the budget is committed or until Council decides to close it. The programme is part-funded by the Department For Communities.
All applications are to be submitted online using the link: http://armaghbanbridgecraigavon.eformz.info

Help Musicians (UK)

16.04.2020
Name of Fund:  Covid-19 round of Help Musicians’ Do It Differently Fund
Grants of £3,000 are available to help professional musicians aged 18 and over with no significant backing, who are finding their health, and performance and teaching commitments affected by the Coronavirus. The Covid-19 round of Help Musicians’ Do It Differently Fund offers a bespoke package of funding and expert advice, including wellbeing and development services, to help musicians adapt and sustain their music through specific projects or activities during this period of isolation. This might include new ways to distribute music, build online presence, reshape current business plans or refocus on creative ambitions. Groups of 6 members or less can also apply. There will be multiple rounds of the Fund over the next three months but applications can only be made once. 
https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/creative-programme/current-opportunities/do-it-differently-fund-covid-19-round

Fashion and Textile Children’s Trust (UK)

16/04/2020
​​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
https://www.ftct.org.uk/support-for-families-affected-by-coronavirus

Legal & General Coronavirus emergency charity funding

06/04/2020
Grant of £5,000-£10,000
Deadline: 20 April 

Legal & General launch a £500,000 emergency community fund for charities and voluntary organisations which are supporting elderly and vulnerable people through the COVID 19 crisis.The application process is open until 20 April. Charitable organisations who generate under £1.5m  of income doing amazing community work for the elderly or vulnerable people, can receive a grant of £5,000-£10,000. To qualify, you need to: 
·         Help elderly or vulnerable people or people with chronic underlying health conditions or diseases in self-isolation or quarantine who need access to food, medicines or social care
·         Offer counselling, suicide prevention and mental health support for those who are affected by the coronavirus crisis (who have, for example, lost their jobs, are grieving or are in crisis)

https://www.legalandgeneralgroup.com/csr/csr-news/legal-general-launch-coronavirus-emergency-charity-funding/

Heritage Fund – Heritage Emergency Fund 

​16/04/2020
The National Lottery Heritage Fund are providing a package of support for the heritage sector as a response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
This includes increased advice and support, longer-term skills and capacity building initiatives, and a £50 million Heritage Emergency Fund to provide emergency funding for those most in need.
 
The Heritage Emergency Fund is accepting applications for funding from £3,000 to £50,000. The application form will be available from Wednesday 15 April and you will be able to apply until 30 June 2020.

Who can apply?
As a National Lottery distributor, we are prioritising urgent funding in the heritage sector. We want to safeguard heritage sites and organisations we have previously invested in to ensure they are not lost to the public.
To apply for the Heritage Emergency Fund, you must be:
·         a not-for-profit organisation
·         a current or previous recipient of a grant directly from us
·         an owner, manager or representative of heritage, or be able to show you have delivered participatory heritage activity
You must meet all three criteria above to apply for funding through the Heritage Emergency Fund. If you do not meet these criteria, you may be eligible for other support as we develop our longer-term strategic support or other initiatives.

What will we fund?
The Heritage Emergency Fund is short-term funding to support the immediate actions needed to stabilise operations and manage unforeseen risks. You can apply to us for a grant between £3,000 and £50,000 to cover unavoidable costs you will otherwise be unable to meet for up to four months. You should only apply to us for essential costs.
 
 Additional supportThere are other sources of support and funding available from Governments, and these are listed on our website.
Find out more about the Heritage Emergency Fund and read our FAQs
​

Sports Hardship Fund

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15/04/2020
We know this is an incredibly difficult time and the impact on our sporting partners has been immeasurable. As every part of our community adjusts to the impacts of coronavirus (Covid-19), we know sport and physical recreation organisations are facing a hugely difficult period of time.
In partnership with the Department for Communities, our Sports Hardship Fund aims to deliver immediate funding to those most in need. It’s specifically targeted at sports clubs, and other organisations delivering sporting activities, who are experiencing immediate financial hardship.
 18/06/2020
UPDATE Sport NI has invested a further £495,000 into the Sports Hardship Fund

Who we can support
Any organisation delivering sport and physical recreation can apply to our fund if experiencing short term financial hardship. These organisations include:
·         National Governing Body of Sport (based in NI)
·         Constituted local sports clubs affiliated to a Governing Body of Sport recognised by Sport NI
·         Community & Voluntary sector organisations that deliver or enable sport and/or physical recreation
·         Small charitable trusts that do not qualify for financial help elsewhere
 
What we’ll fund
The fund has been developed to help sport and physical recreation organisations meet their obligations, in particular fixed costs, which are no longer supported with revenue as a result of coronavirus. This might cover expenditure on:
·         Rent/Lease
·         Utility costs
·         Essential ground maintenance
·         Insurances
 
How much we’ll fund
Each successful applicant will receive £2,000 for costs incurred from 1st April 2020.  
Where to apply
Please click the links below to read the programme guidance note and to begin an online application for the financial support fund.
Sports Hardship Fund Application
Sports Hardship Fund Information & Guidance booklet
Help and Advice
If you need help or if you have any questions please contact:
Email: sportshardshipfund@sportni.net
Telephone: Angharad Bunt 078 1018 3023 Conleth Donnelly 079 6724 0549
For further information on how your information will be used by Sport NI, please click here
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​COVID-19 Funding information:

Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
April 9 at 5:38 PM · 
COVID-19 Funding information:
Following a period of discussion and lobbying with local politicians, GOLI are pleased to confirm that Loyal Orders and faith based groups are now eligible to apply to the Coronavirus Community Fund.
This change of policy will allow Lodges to make applications to help resource the many invaluable community projects already taking place throughout the Orange family.
For full details of the fund visit: https://communityfoundationni.org/…/coronavirus-community-…/

Tesco Bags of Help

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09/04/2020
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Tesco Bags of Help have launched a Covid-19 Communities Fund.  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. 
https://tescobagsofhelp.org.uk/grant-schemes/tesco-cv-fund/

The Prince’s Countryside Trust

09/04/2020
The Prince’s Trust has launched a Rural Response Emergency Grants Programme.  Grants of up to £2,500 available to charities, community benefit societies and social enterprises that are supporting rural communities, and farm businesses or other rural businesses who are affected by the coronavirus. A total of £100,000 has been made available and the closing deadline for applications is 12pm on the 15th April 2020.
https://www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/grant-giving-programme/grant-programme

The Leathersellers Company

09/04/2020
The Leathersellers Company has announced that in light of the current Coronavirus crisis that now faces small charities providing vital services to the most vulnerable members of the community, their small grants programme invites applications from UK registered charities which are currently supporting the homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless; provision of food and essential supplies; victims of domestic violence; and nursing care to vulnerable patients. The value of the grant awarded could be up to a maximum of £3,000.
https://leathersellers.co.uk/small-grants-programme/

Coronavirus Community Fund

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​08/04/2020
Grants available £1,000 - £10,000
In recognition of the effects of covid-19, the Community Foundation has developed a Coronavirus Community Fund for NI. In partnership with other funders (currently Department for Communities, Ulster Garden Villages Ltd, The ARN Foundation, Bank Of Ireland, National Emergencies Trust and VSB). The Coronavirus Community Fund will support the community sector in Northern Ireland in both the short and longer term with both emergency and recovery support.

https://communityfoundationni.org/grants/coronavirus-community-fund/?dm_i=24PQ,6TAJK,NG07HA,RA7N0,1​

​Comic Relief - No Child Goes Hungry

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08/04/2020
Grants up to £2,500 available
This grant aims to contribute to community-based food provision responses that support local families with children under the age of 10 who may face food poverty as a result of school closures and/or loss of household income as a result of the COVID-19 virus. Priority will be given to small, locally based and local run groups or organisations in areas of disadvantage that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community and are undertaking actions as a means of addressing these needs.
 
https://communityfoundationni.org/grants/comic-relief-no-child-goes-hungry-community-support-programme/?dm_i=24PQ,6TAJK,NG07HA,RA7N0,1