Last updated 21st January 2021
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 and with 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. And in January 2021, don't miss their free charity care support sessions.
Specific sector/interest advice
- Coalition for Efficiency: free advice and workshops on impact measurement
- 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.
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. nfp Synergy beginner's guide to fundraising for small organisations. And for more on grants for small businesses, don't miss this article.
Funds with close deadlines
- 26th January: Local Connections Fund
- 28th January: Woodward Charitable Trust core costs grants for small charities
- 31st January: Charity Bank Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund
- 31st March: DCMS Youth Covid-19 Support Fund
National funding sources
- Blagrave Trust: for work supporting young people
- Esmée Fairbairn
- The Fore: grants of up to £30,000 for small organisations working with marginalised groups
- Foundation Scotland
- The Foyle Foundation
- 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 Lottery Community Fund
- Paul Hamlyn
- Robertson Trust (Scotland)
- Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
- Sport England
- Unltd: funding for social entrepreneurs
- Warburtons: small grants for community projects
- Wilko: small grants for community projects
- Yapp Charitable Trust
Regional funding sources
Paused
- Barrow Cadbury Trust Covid-19 Support Fund: Specialist small and medium voluntary sector groups supporting migrant and refugees
- CAF Coronavirus Emergency Fund
- Clinks: funding for voluntary organisations working in criminal justice with an annual income under £500,000
- Community-Led Organisations Recovery Scheme
- Community Justice Fund: Specialist social welfare legal advice organisations
- Crisis Home for all grants fund
- Edge Fund: grants of £750
- 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
- Youth Futures Foundation
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.