The National Lottery Community Fund has updated it’s funding programmes for England.  With the COVID-19 pandemic still with us, NLCF have announced that they will continue to support people and communities most adversely impacted by COVID-19 through small grants (Awards for All) of £300 to £10,000 for up to one year (will fund wide range of costs including running costs), to organisations (including community groups, charities, CIC’s etc) to:

• continue to deliver activity – whether your community needs crisis response, recovery or business as usual activity
• change and adapt, becoming more resilient to respond to new and future challenges.

In order to support communities to thrive, NLCF aim to:

• build strong relationships in and across communities
• improve the places and spaces that matter to communities
• help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage.

To apply, complete an on-line application. You will know outcome within 12 weeks and receive funds within 2 weeks. https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/under10k

NLCF has also re-opened it’s Reaching Communities fund giving grants of over £10,000 for up to 5 years, to voluntary and community organisations that work with their communities and help them thrive funding projects that work to make positive changes in their community – whether that is for people living in the same area, or people with similar interests or life experiences. As above will fund organisations to:

• continue to deliver activity – whether your community needs crisis response, recovery or business as usual activity
• change and adapt, becoming more resilient to respond to new and future challenges.

In order to support communities to thrive, we aim to:

• build strong relationships in and across communities
• improve the places and spaces that matter to communities
• help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage.

Grants can be for short or long term, for activities or create fundamental change, for a single organisation or to bring organisations together. Will cover direct activity costs, organisation development or core/fixed costs and purchase/refurbishment or development of land or buildings.

Apply on-line or e-mail your regional office e.g. yorksandhumberteam@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk – see website for what to include. https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/reaching-communities-england#section-4

Partnerships funding is also available with similar criteria and application process to RC above, but with focus on funding to support communities through the COVID-19 pandemic,  for organisations that work together with a shared set of goals to help their community thrive – whether that’s a community living in the same area, or people with similar interests or life experiences. New partnerships on one’s already set up can apply. Costs covered again same as with RC bids, but also refers to costs of volunteer expenses and evaluations. https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/partnerships-england

Voluntary Action Leeds