Last updated 19th October 2020
We know that communities, charities and social enterprises are busy responding to new challenges arising from the Covid-19 outbreak. Below are some of the specialist advice and support services that are now available.
Advice and support
General advice for community groups and charities
- BatesWells: Free support from charity law firm, on a range of subjects from government schemes to fraud, including 30 min free calls for quick advice, and an online decision tool to support charities facing financial difficulty to identify and explore their options.
- Charity Commission: info on support & advice from government.
- Cranfield Trust: free remote support for charities from management consultancy, telephone services, mentoring, HR and resources.
- Ethical Property Foundation: Property advice for charities during the outbreak, including a series of webinars, accessible for all, regardless of level of knowledge.
- Good Finance: practical support on all areas of operations and working from home for charities and social enterprises.
- IVAR peer support webinars: free sessions for voluntary sector leaders
- LawWorks: free legal advice for small non-profits
- Locality: support for community organisations during the outbreak.
- National Council for Voluntary Organisations: updates, practical advice and signposting to further information for staff and trustees.
- Social Enterprise UK: list of support for social enterprises.
- Small Charities Coalition: resources, guidance and advice for small charities.
Specific sector/interest advice
- Groundswell: Guidance for orgs supporting people experiencing homelessness
- Youthworksupport: advice, guidance, support and tools for youth workers during the COVID 19 pandemic.
- Helplines Partnership: tools for organisations running a helpline.
- MEAM: multiple disadvantage and COVID-19
- Remote and Online Peer Support Resource from Bipolar UK, Get Up Set Up,
Mind, National Survivor User Network, and Together for Mental Wellbeing.
Specific Covid-19 funding streams
We recognise that many funders are responding to the challenges coronavirus is presenting for local communities. The below are specific additional funding streams for the coronavirus response. A new database has been setup here to search all the latest opportunities.
Funds with close deadlines
- 30th October: PwC ColourBrave Charity Committee
- 31st October: Magic Little Grants
- 31st October: AB Charitable Trust
- 10th November: CAF Resilience Fund for groups in the UK
National funding sources
- Government funding sources
- Barrow Cadbury Trust Covid-19 Support Fund: Specialist small and medium voluntary sector groups supporting migrant and refugees
- Blagrave Trust: for work supporting young people
- Charity Bank Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund
- Community-Led Organisations Recovery Scheme
- Edge Fund: grants of £750
- Esmee Fairbairn
- The Fore: transition fund for small charities and social enterprises
- Garfield Weston: unrestricted donations and grants for core costs in addition to project costs.
- John Ellerman Foundation: aim to advance the wellbeing of people, society and the natural world by focusing on the arts, environment and social action.
- The Moondance Foundation (Wales)
- Morrisons Foundation: grants of up to £25K to registered charities.
- National Emergencies Trust: appeal for funding now open, to be distributed through Community Foundations and other charities. Keep in touch with your local community foundation on how to apply.
- National Lottery Community Fund
- Paul Hamlyn
- Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
- Sport England
- Unltd: funding for social entrepreneurs
- Yapp Charitable Trust
- Youth Futures Foundation
- And for more on grants for small businesses, don't miss this article.
Regional funding sources
Paused
- CAF Coronavirus Emergency Fund
- Clinks: funding for voluntary organisations working in criminal justice with an annual income under £500,000
- Community Justice Fund: Specialist social welfare legal advice organisations
- Crisis Home for all grants fund
- Foundation Scotland
- Leathersellers' Company
- Lloyds Bank Foundation: funding for small and local charities.
- National Survivor User Network: Small grants for user led organisations supporting mental health services.
- Neighbourly: micro grants to community groups
- Social Enterprise Support Fund
- Youth Scotland
Any questions?
For general enquiries including new applications, please call the Information Team on 020 7727 8522. We are currently receiving a large number of calls, so please bear with us if the line is busy.
For current grant holders, please email your grant manager directly.