Community organisations in England that are facing financial difficulties due to Covid-19 are being invited to apply for a share of £9.5 million in funding. Grants of up to £100,000 (and business support) will be available to:

The scheme is aimed at organisations delivering community services to people who are at high risk from Covid-19 with an emphasis on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME)-led or BAME-supporting organsations.  All money must be spent by 19th April 2021.

The £9.5 million Covid-19 Community-Led Organisations Recovery Scheme is being delivered by Power to Change, Locality, The Ubele Initiative and Social Investment Business on behalf of the National Lottery Community Fund.

The fund will be open on 4th August from 10:00am until 13:00pm and 11th August from 10:00am to 13:00pm. As this is only a 3 hour application window please look at the funding criteria and form so that you can pre-prepare your answers e.g. in word, so that you can copy and paste.  Besides quidance and FAQ’s there is a really useful webinar recording you can access at any time which outlines the fund and how to apply.

Organisations must be community-led, multi-purpose, work at neighbourhood level and have charitable purposes (as a minimum you will need a constitution and bank account).  If you get through the first round (stage one application should talk you around 30 minutes), you will be given 5 days to complete the second stage. Your organisation must be able to demonstrate accountability to the community by one of the following, a local membership, a board made up of the local community, regular consultation with the local community. 
 

Full details and application guidance can be found at: https://www.powertochange.org.uk/get-support/programmes/covid-19-community-led-organisations-recovery-scheme/