This page covers all the areas for which customers can access support from the government and the wider sector in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak. For more information on the measures detailed below, visit the dedicated government guidance on support for businesses here.

If you are looking for our Resilience & Recovery Loan Fund (CBILS fund), click here.

This page will be updated regularly to reflect any new developments or announcements. If you have any questions please contact Will Thomson (will.thomson@sibgroup.org.uk) or Miranda Love (Miranda.Love@sibgroup.org.uk)

Government Advice on the UK Lockdown

 

The Government has now published Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy with updated advice and a roadmap for how and when the UK will adjust its response to the COVID-19 crisis.

 

This includes the following advice:

  • For the foreseeable future, workers should continue to work from home rather than their normal physical workplace, wherever possible.
  • All workers who cannot work from home should travel to work if their workplace is open.
  • When travelling everybody (including critical workers) should continue to avoid public transport wherever possible
  • Anyone who has symptoms, however mild, or is in a household where someone has symptoms, should not leave their house to go to work. Those people should self-isolate, as should those in their households.

Read more of the Government’s new guidance to help Brits safely back to work. For many charities and social enterprises, this will mean a drastic shift in their service delivery. We’ve included resources on coping with this - including remote working - further on down the page.

 

Government £750 million Coronavirus support package for Charities

 

On 8th April 2020, the Chancellor announced a £750 million package of support to ensure charities can continue vital work during the coronavirus outbreak.  £750 million of funding will be made available for frontline charities across the UK.

This includes:

  • £360 million direct from Government departments, allocated to charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the crisis
  • £370 million will be made available for smaller to medium sized charities, including through a grant to the National Lottery Community Fund for those in England. This will support organisations at the heart of local communities, including those delivering food, essential medicines and providing financial advice.
  • The Government will match donations to the National Emergencies Trust as part of the BBC’s Big Night In fundraiser – pledging a minimum of £20 million.

The £360 million direct funding from government will be allocated by government departments, including:

  • Hospices to help increase capacity and give stability to the sector.
  • St John’s Ambulance
  • Victims charities, including domestic abuse
  • Vulnerable children charities
  • Citizens Advice

The Government is working to identify priority recipients, aiming to disburse funding within weeks. The National Lottery Community Fund grant pot is expected within a similar timeframe.

 

Government Support for Businesses Affected by COVID-19

 

Update: the Government has created a dedicated website to help navigate through the different forms of government support currently available for businesses. This also includes case studies, videos and signposting to the latest coronavirus information and support. They have also published a list of support for businesses from outside Government.

 

Overview of Support Measures

  • Statutory sick pay refund for SMEs
  • Business rates relief (see eligibility criteria)
  • Cash grants for small businesses (see eligibility criteria)
  • Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
  • Mortgage payment holidays of up to three months
  • Insurance
  • UK government to pay up to 80% of employee wages (see eligibility criteria)
  • VAT deferral for all UK businesses

 

Statutory Sick Pay Refund

  • Businesses will receive a refund for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) covering two weeks per employee who has been off work because of COVID-19.
  • SSP is currently paid at £94.25 / week and new legislation will mean that employees are eligible from day one of sickness.
  • The eligible period for the scheme will commence the day after the regulations on the extension of SSP to self-isolators comes into force (i.e. after Coronavirus Bill is passed - see below).
  • Employers can reclaim expenditure for any employee who has claimed SSP.

Who is eligible for this support:

  • Any business with under 250 employees

How to access this support:

  • Employers should maintain records of staff absences, but employees will not need to provide a GP fit note.
  • Government will work with employers to set up the repayment mechanism as soon as possible.

 

Business Rates Relief

  • No business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England for the tax year 2020-2021, irrespective of rateable value.
  • Businesses that received retail discount in 2019-2020 tax year will be rebilled by local authority asap

Eligibility criteria

  • All businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector - the government published guidance for local authorities on determining eligibility criteria for business rate relief here.
  • Eligible pubs will also be entitled to a business rate discount of £5,000.

How to access this support

  • Enquiries on eligibility for reliefs should be directed to local authority. Guidance on business rates relief will be published by 20 March.

 

Cash Grants for Small Businesses

  • Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF): £10,000 - £25,000 cash grants (dependent on size) available for the smallest businesses in the retail, hospitality or leisure sectors.
  • Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF): £10,000 grant funding for small businesses that already pay little or no business rates (because they already receive Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief).
  • Discretionary Fund Update: on 2nd May the Government announced a top up to the local business grant funds scheme – this Discretionary Fund has been set up to accommodate small businesses previously outside the scope of the scheme.

Eligibility criteria

  • RHLGF: £25,000 grants - retail, hospitality and leisure businesses operating from premises with a rateable value between £15,000 - £51,000. £10,000 grants available for businesses operating from premises with a ratable value under £15,000.
  • Update: Any business that is eligible for the Expanded Retail Discount (see guidance) will be able to access RHLGF, this includes: charity shops, museums, galleries, historic houses, sport charity facilities, theatres, public halls, and clubhouses, clubs and institutions. More information can be found on the Charity Tax Group website.
    Clarification: Charities which would otherwise meet this criteria but whose business rate bill for 11 March had been reduced to nil by a local discretionary award should still be considered to be eligible for the RHLGF.
  • SBGF - £10,000 grants for businesses currently receiving for Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief.
  • Update: the Discretionary Fund is aimed at small businesses with fixed property-related costs – local authorities are being asked to prioritise businesses in shared spaces, regular market traders, small charity properties that would meet criteria for Small Business Rate Relief and bed and breakfasts that pay council tax. The allocation of funding will be at the discretion of local authorities. Businesses must be small, under 50 employees and must also be able to demonstrate a significant drop in income due to coronavirus.

How to accesss this support:

  • RHLGF: Retail, hospitality and leisure businesses should contact their local authority with any enquiries on eligibility or access to this relief.
  • SBGF: Businesses eligible for Small Business Rates Relief and Rural Rate Relief will be contacted by their local authority, there is no need to apply.
  • Update: the government has published guidance on the eligibility and delivery of the RHLGF and SBGF  
  • Update: the Government has published guidance for businesses setting out details of the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF).
  • Discretionary Fund: the Government has published guidance for local authorities on awarding discretionary grants – in the meantime get in touch with your local authority if you think your organisations might be eligible.

 

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

  • To support long-term viable businesses who may need to respond to cash flow-pressures by seeking additional finance.
  • This will be delivered by the British Business Bank and will support loans of up to £5m.
  • The Government will provide lenders with a guarantee of 80% on each loan to give lenders confidence.
  • Businesses can access the first 6 months of finance interest free (the Government will cover the interest payments for six months).
  • As well as loans there will be many other types of finance supported by the programme, depending on the partner provider - more information on accredited lenders and partners can be found here.

Eligibility criteria:

  • UK based, with turnover of no more than £41m per annum.
  • Operate within an eligible industrial sector (a small number of sectors are not eligible for support - see eligibility restrictions here).
  • Be able to confirm that they have not received State aid beyond €200,000 equivalent over the current and previous two fiscal years.
  • Have a sound borrowing proposal, but insufficient security to meet the lender’s requirements.
  • The big four banks have agreed that they will not take personal guarantees as security for lending below £250,000 under CBILS.
  • An eligible SME must generate more than 50% of its income from trading.
    Update: Registered charities are exempt from the requirement that 50% of the applicant’s income must be derived from its Trading Activity.

How to access this support:

  • The scheme has launched - more information can be found on the British Business Bank website.

 

SIB: Recovery & Resilience Loan Fund

  • SIB, alongside Big Society Capital and other social investment partners, will be managing the £25 million Resilience & Recovery Loan Fund (RRLF) providing repayable finance to charities and social enterprises directly affected by COVID-19.
  • RRLF will offer emergency loans with flexibility in terms, including: 12-month interest-free and no arrangement fee, with no personal guarantees required.
  • The fund provides access to the existing Coronavirus Business Interruption Scheme. SIB will issue the loan, working initially with delivery partners Big Issue Invest, Charity Bank and Social and Sustainable Capital.
  • The initial £25 million will be provided by Big Society Capital, who is aiming to repurpose up to a further £50 million to address the needs of charities and social enterprises.
  • More information on the RRLF can be found here.

 

Bounce Back Loan Scheme

  • New scheme announced on 27th April to help small to medium sized businesses affected by coronavirus to apply for loans between £2,000 and £50,000
  • The Government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months.
  • Loan terms will be up to 6 years. No repayments will be due during the first 12 months. The Government will work with lenders to agree a low rate of interest for the remaining loan period.
  • You cannot apply if you’re already claiming funding under the CBILS – however, if you have already received a loan of up to £50,000 under CBILS and would like to transfer it to the Bounce Back Loan scheme, this can be arranged with a lender until 4 November 2020.
  • The scheme was launched on 4th May 2020, more information here.

 

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

  • All UK employers with a PAYE scheme will be able to access support to continue paying up to 80% of their employees’ salary under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to safeguard potential redundancies.
  • This applies to employees who have been asked to stop working, but are being kept on the pay roll, which is also known as ‘furloughed workers’: HMRC will reimburse 80% of their wages (up to £2,500 per month).
  • To qualify, workers should not undertake work while they are furloughed, though they will remain employed.
  • The scheme will cover the cost of wages backdated to 1 March and is primarily open for three months, but will be prolonged if necessary.
  • Guidance for employers on the scheme can be found here, guidance for employees can be found here. There is also an eligibility checker.
  • Update: on Tuesday 12th May, the Chancellor announced that the Job Retention Scheme will remain open until the end of October.

Eligibility criteria:

  • All UK-wide employers with a PAYE scheme will be eligible – this includes the public sector, Local Authorities and charities.

How to access this support:

  • HMRC are working to set up a repayment system as a priority, but in the meantime, you will need to:
    • Identify affected employees as ‘furloughed workers,’ and let your employees that you will be making this change – any change to the status of employees remains subject to existing employment law and, depending on the employment contract, may need to be subject to negotiation.
    • The new online portal is now live.

 

HMRC Time To Pay Service

  • Businesses and self-employed in financial distress and with outstanding tax liabilities may be eligible to receive support through HMRC's Time to Pay Service.
  • This allows businesses and the self-employed to defer tax payments over an agreed period of time.
  • HMRC have detailed guidance on Time to Pay arrangements here.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Arrangements are made on a case by case basis and are tailored to individual circumstances and liabilities.

How to access this support:

  • HMRC have a dedicated coronavirus helpline for advice and support on 0800 0159 559 - opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday 8am to 4pm.

 

Insurance Arrangements

  • Businesses with cover for pandemics and government-ordered closure will be covered after the Government and Association of British Insurers agreed that the advice from 17 March to avoid pubs, theatres etc is sufficient to make a claim.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Insurance policy with pandemic business interruption coverage.
  • However, most businesses are unlikely to be covered as standard interruption insurance policies are dependent on damage to property and will exclude pandemics.

How to access this support:

  • The Association of British Insurers advises businesses to check their cover and discuss concerns with brokers.

 

VAT Deferral

  • The Government will defer the next quarter of VAT payments for firms.
  • All businesses will be given until the end of financial year to repay any liabilities.

Eligibility criteria

  • No business will pay VAT from 20 March 2020 until 30 June 2020.

How to access this support:

  • This support is available automatically, with no applications required.

 

Protection from eviction for commercial tenants

  • Commercial tenants who cannot pay rent because of COVID-19 will be protected from eviction
  • No business will automatically forfeit their leis or be forced out of premises if they miss a payment up to 30 June 2020 – this could be extended by Government if needed.
  • This is not a rental holiday – tenants are still liable for rent.

Eligibility criteria

  • All commercial tenants in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

How to access this support:

  • This will come into force with the Coronavirus Bill – no action is required.

 

Government Support for the Self-Employed Affected by COVID-19

 

On Thursday 26th March, Chancellor Rishi Sunak outlined a package of support measures targeted at the self-employed.

 

Self-employment Income Support Scheme

  • Self-employed workers are allowed to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months – this can be extended if necessary.

Eligibility criteria:

  • ­Must have submitted Income Tax Self-Assessment tax return for the year 2018/19
  • Must have traded in the tax year 2019-20
  • Are trading when applying to the scheme, or would be except for COVID-19
  • Intend to continue to trade in the tax year 2020-21
  • Have lost trading/partnership trading profits due to coronavirus.
  • Have trading profits less than £50,000 and more than half total income from self-employment.
  • If only trading between 2016-2019, HMRC will only use those years for which a Self-Assessment tax return has been filed.
  • If a tax return for 2018-19 has not been already submitted, the deadline to do so is by 23 April 2020.

How to access this support:

  • This scheme is not open yet – HMRC will get in contact with those who are eligible with an invitation to apply online. Individuals should not contact HMRC now.
  • More information on the Self-employed Income Support Scheme can be found here.
  • MoneySavingExpert has also published helpful guidance and FAQs on this support package.

 

Government Guidance for Organisations

 

The Government has published guidance for organisations working in specific sectors which might be relevant to SIB customers, these can be accessed below:

 

Coronavirus Bill

 

The Coronavirus Bill was introduced on 19 March 2020. This brings in new powers to boost NHS resources, ease legislative rules and support businesses and workers.

Some relevant aspects for SIB customers include:

  • Remove restrictions to allow recently those who have recently left care roles to ensure care of vulnerable people and children can continue.
  • Local authorities could be asked to prioritise social services to ensure most urgent and serious care needs are met - meaning some people might not have social care needs met during peak outbreak.

The full explanatory notes on the Coronavirus Bill can be viewed here.

NCVO have written a useful blog analysing what the coronavirus means for charities.

 

Updates from the Charity Commission

 

The Charity Commission have issued a statement detailing that charities can contact them to request an extension to their annual return deadline. They have also reassured charities that their approach to regulation during this period will be as flexible and supportive as possible.

To get in touch with the Charity Commission, you can call them Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm on 0300 066 9197.

 

Updates from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

 

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) holds responsibility for civil society, the Secretary of State is Rt Hon Oliver Dowden MP, and the Minister for Civil Society is Baroness Barran.

In a press release from 18 March 2020 they announced that the department is working closely with the civil society sector - including the National Emergencies Trust, NCVO and the British Red Cross - on how to galvanise volunteers and coordinate help to those who need it.

More details are expected to be announced on this over the coming days.

Update: On Wednesday 20 May, the Culture Secretary announced £150m was to be unlocked from dormant accounts to help charities, social enterprises and vulnerable people during the pandemic. This includes accelerating the release of £71m of new funds from dormant accounts alongside £79m already unlocked that will be repurposed to help charities’ coronavirus response and recovery.

The funding will support urgent work to tackle youth unemployment, expand access to emergency loans for civil society organisations and help improve the availability of fair, affordable credit to people in vulnerable circumstances.

Of the £150 million:

  • £10 million will be brought forward for the Youth Futures Foundation to help organisations who support unemployed, disadvantaged young people across the country into jobs. They will be launching an Emergency Levelling Up Youth Fund to support young people from hardest hit communities; and will expand their Development and Impact grants programme to rapidly increase youth employment provisions.
  • £45 million will be deployed by Big Society Capital to allow better access to investment including emergency loans for charities, social enterprises and some small businesses facing cash-flow problems and disruption to their trading following the coronavirus outbreak.
  • The demand for affordable credit is expected to rise substantially in light of the coronavirus outbreak. Fair4All Finance will use £65 million to support affordable credit providers to increase access to fair, appropriate products and services for those struggling financially, providing them with an alternative to high cost loans. This includes an expanded Affordable Credit Scale-up Programme and other initiatives for those in financially vulnerable circumstances.
  • £30 million will go to Access - The Foundation for Social Investment who will support social enterprises helping people in vulnerable circumstances. They will make up to £10 million available for emergency support through social lenders while also developing a wider programme of recovery finance for the social sector. Both initiatives will work alongside Big Society Capital and other social lenders, and will enable a wider range of organisations to access affordable and flexible finance.

More information here.

 

Updates from the National Lottery Community Fund

 

On 3rd April 2020, the NLCF have a released a statement on funding during COVID-19.

All funding decisions for the next six months will prioritise getting funding to groups best placed to support their communities, focusing initially on existing grant-holders and applicatnts.

Priority will be given to:

  • Organisations supporting people at high risk from COVID-19
  • Organisations supporting communities most likely to face increased demand and challenges as a direct result of COVID-19
  • Organisations with high potential to support communities with the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19

Further updates from the NLCF will be hosted on their dedicated COVID-19 page.

Update – On 8th April 2020, it was announced that the National Lottery Community Fund will be receiving a significant grant pot from the Government’s £370 million charity funding package for small-medium charities in England.

More information about this fund is expected over the coming weeks.

Update – On 20th May 2020 the NLCF confirmed the Government’s new Coronavirus Community Support Fund would open for applications at 10am on Friday 22nd May.

The Fund has two key objectives:

  1. To increase community support to vulnerable people affected by the COVID-19 crisis, through the work of civil society organisations.
  2. To reduce temporary closures of essential charities and social enterprises, ensuring services for vulnerable people impacted by COVID-19 have the financial resources to operate, and so reduce the burden on public services.

Please see our funding pages for further details and to apply – these will be on the NLCF website from 10am on Friday 22nd May.

 

 

National COVID-19 Support Funds

 

Arts & Culture

 

Arts Council: Emergency Funding Package

  • The Arts Council are making £160m of emergency funding available for organisations and individuals in need during this crisis.
  • £90m will be available to National Portfolio Organisations, £50m for cultural organisations
    not currently in receipt of Arts Council funding, and £20m will be made available for individuals working in the cultural sector, including artists, creative practitioners and freelancers.
  • They have also changed the funding requirements for individuals and organisations who are currently receiving their funding.

 

Authors Emergency Fund

  • Emergency grant fund for professional authors in the UK, including writers, illustrators, literary translators, scriptwriters, poets, journalists and others, for whom author-related activities make up a substantial amount of their annual income.
  • Grants are likely to be up to £2,000 and designed to meet urgent need.
  • More information here.

 

Community Radio Fund – Emergency COVID-19 Funding

  • The Community Radio Fund helps to fund the core costs of running Ofcom-licensed community radio stations with a total funding pot of £400,000. For 2020-21, grants will be provided as emergency cash funding to support stations facing severe financial difficulty due to the coronavirus outbreak.
  • There will likely be only one funding round in 2020-21 to ensure that emergency funding can be accessed as soon as possible.
  • More information here.

 

Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund

  • BFI and the Film & TV Charity have partnered to create a new COVID-19 emergency fund to support the creative community affected by the pandemic.
  • Established with £1m from Netflix, the fund will provide emergency short term relief to active workers and freelancers who have been affected by the closure of productions.
  • More information can be found here.

 

Help for Musicians - Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund

  • A new £5m fund specifically created to alleviate some of the immediate financial pressures that professional musicians may be facing.
  • Eligible musicians are able to apply for a one-off payment of £500 – more information can be found here.

 

PRS Foundation – Sustaining Creativity Fund

  • Grants of up to £650 for self-employed, freelance or unemployed music creators experiencing a significant impact on their work, income and ability to complete planned musical activities.
  • Closing date for applications is 11th May 2020
  • More information here.

 

Youth Music Emergency Fund

  • Offering additional support to music-making organisations affected by coronavirus. Grants of up to £10,000 are available and organisations do not need to have held a Youth Music grant previously to apply.
  • More information on the emergency fund and applications can be found here.

 

CDFIs & Credit Unions

 

Community Investment Enterprise Facility

  • £30m Community Investment Enterprise Facility established by Big Society Capital and managed by Social Investment Scotland to help meet the needs of CDFIs, build a better understanding of the financial and social impact performance of CDFI lending, and test models of funding for CDFIs to attract other mission driven investors.
  • It will invest in up to five CDFIs across the UK to meet the needs of underserved small enterprises that have a positive impact in the communities where they operate.
  • It is anticipated that the initial round of investment will be into partners who helped develop the Facility with the intention to expand the reach over time through this facility or by future initiatives.
  • To find out more information, contact Social Investment Scotland.

 

Fair4All Finance – COVID-19 Resilience and Affordable Credit Scale-up Programme

  • Providing up to £5m in grant funding to CDFIs and credit unions in England
  • An expanded Affordable Credit Scale-up Programme will help the sector to plat its part in the 10x growth challenge in the delivery of affordable credit to vulnerable people
  • More information here.

 

Community Business

 

Power to Change – Emergency Support Funding

  • £12 million of emergency support to provide both immediate and medium-term help for community businesses facing a loss of trading income during the coronavirus crisis.
  • £7 million in rescue funding for community businesses, offering grants up to £25,000 to contribute towards trading income losses incurred between April and June 2020. This first pot of funding is available to current and previous Power to Change grantees, and to community businesses which are members of Power to Change’s strategic partners – Co-operatives UK, Locality and the Plunkett Foundation – all of whom played a key role in designing this response.
  • £5 million in recovery funding, to be made available later this year, based on learning from the first pot to help community businesses rebuild and recover strongly from the crisis.
  • More information can be found on Power to Change’s website here.

 

Charities and other organisations supporting vulnerable groups / communities

 

Barclays Foundation – COVID-19 Community Aid Package

  • The Barclays Foundation have announced a £100 million COVID-19 Community Aid Package
  • The package consists of two strands. £50million will be donated to charities chosen by Barclays and £50million will be donated by matching their employees' personal donations (individual organisations cannot apply for this funding.
  • More information here.

 

CAF Coronavirus Emergency Fund

  • Fund to help smaller charitable organisations in the UK affected by COVID-19 – grants of up to £10,000 are available.
  • This is a rapid response fund, aiming to make payments to selected organisations within 14 days of application.
  • Eligible organisations should have a charitable purpose and charitable activities, with an income of £1m or less in the last financial year.
  • More information on eligibility, timescales and applications can be found here.

 

Clothworkers’ Emergency Capital Programme

  • Small capital grants of up to £5,000 for essential capital items to adapt or increase services in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Priority will be given to organisations supporting vulnerable and ‘at risk’ groups within the Clothworker’s programme areas during this period.
  • More information here.

 

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation

  • The Esmee Fairbairn foundation is making an additional £16m of funding available this year in response the COVID-19 crisis.
  • £14m has been allocated in fast-response grants to be offered to some of the organisations they currently work with across all sectors.
  • £2m is being made available for contributions to emergency funding schemes in collaboration with others.
  • They are closed to new applications so they can focus support on the organisations they currently work with.
  • More information here.

 

The Fore & Trusts Fund – RAFT Fund

  • Rapid Action by the Fore and Trusts Fund will provide grants for high- quality, well-managed small charities and social enterprises with great leadership doing vital work in their communities.
  • Initially accepting 500 applications, with places allocated on first come first served basis – open to registered charities, CICs, CIOs and CBSs with annual incomes below £500,000
  • More information here.

 

Greggs Foundation – Coronavirus Emergency Appeal

  • Urgent food parcels, hardship payments and small grants (average £500) to charities, community groups and schools supporting the most vulnerable people in communities.
  • More information here.

 

Halifax Foundations – Covid-19 Related Grants

  • Halifax Foundation has stated that Covid-19 related applications designed to support the community at this time of crisis will be prioritised and turned around as quickly as possible.
  • Small (up to £2,500) and medium (£2,500 – £10,000) grants available.
  • More information here.

 

Leathersellers’ Company – Small Grants Programme

  • Fast track application process for small one-off grants up to £3,000 for small charities supporting: the homeless (or those at risk of homelessness); provision of food and essential supplies; victims of domestic violence; or nursing care to vulnerable patients.
  • Decisions will be made within 4 weeks of applying (though it is expected to be less than this) – applications will close on 11th May 2020.
  • More information on eligibility and applications here.

 

John Lewis Partnership Community Support Fund

  • The John Lewis Partnership has launched a £1m Community Support Fund to be distributed by Waitrose shops to local communities.
  • Teams in each shop will work together with their communities to choose the best way to use the fund - help could include setting up additional local delivery services to support those self-isolating, the vulnerable, the elderly and carers, or delivering boxes of staples to local care homes and community groups.
  • For more information email Hannah Chance, Communications Manager, hannah.chance@waitrose.co.uk

 

National Emergencies Trust

  • The National Emergencies Trust (NET) has launched an appeal to raise funds for local charities and grassroots organisations that can provide support to people in the quickest way.
  • Individuals and charities should not apply directly to the NET for funds. Grant aid and how to apply to a local community foundation will be available from 23 March 2020.

 

Neighbourly Community Fund

  • Neighbourly have launched the Neigbourly Community Fund, which is offering micro grants of up to £400 to support good causes helping communities affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.
  • To apply, please note you already need to be registered as a Neighbourly member.

 

OneFamily Foundation – Community Grants

  • 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.
  • This includes food banks, support groups or homeless charities. Nominations for this round close on the 12 May 2020.
  • More information here

 

MoneySavingExpert - Coronavirus Charity Help Fund

  • MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis has provided £1m from his personal charity fund to provide grants of £5,000 to £20,000 to small registered charities, or local arms of bigger charities, across the UK to help with specific UK coronavirus-related poverty relief projects.
  • On Tuesday 24th March it was announced that the fund had been expanded to £3m.
  • Applications close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 25 March 2020 - the application form can be accessed here.
    Update: this fund is currently closed to new applications.

 

Tesco Bags of Help COVID-19 Communities Fund

  • Short term fund to support local communities – they have created a streamlined application and payment process to make it easier to get funds distributed quickly.
  • The fund will award single payments of £500 to organisations supporting vulnerable groups.
  • Applications in some areas are currently on hold due to high demand – more information can be found here.

 

The Will Charitable Trust – Emergency Funding

  • The Will Charitable Trust is currently focussing on providing grants of up to £5,000 to charities in urgent financial need that have previously received support, so that they can concentrate on their response to the difficulties caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.
  • More information here.

 

Children & Young People

 

Sylvia Adams Charitable Trust

  • The Trust will make grant to organisations working to improve the life chances for some of the most disadvantaged children in England and Wales by investing in early intervention (0-3 year olds) and preventative work.
  • As a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Trust has changed its application guidelines and processes. These are intended to assist small-medium charities with small sums of unrestricted funding during the pandemic.
  • More information on eligibility and applications here.

 

Hope for the Young – COVID-19 Emergency Fund

  • The COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund will provide support for young refugees or asylum seekers up to the age of 30 who are vulnerable and in need of immediate financial support to help in the relief of social isolation and financial hardship during the Coronavirus pandemic.
  • Priority will be given to young people receiving support from Hope for the Young who meet the Emergency Relief Fund criteria, in the first instance. However, the fund is open to external applications. The maximum grant available is £250.
  • More information here.

 

Youth Endowment Fund – COVID-19 Grant Round

  • The Youth Endowment Fund opens new £6.5m COVID-19 grant round to support vulnerable young people at risk of youth violence.
  • This grant round will fund and evaluate work which supports vulnerable young people at risk of youth violence, and can be delivered whilst adhering to UK government social distancing and stay-at-home guidelines.
  • The expected average grant is to be around £50,000.  The minimum grant that organisations can apply for is £25,000.  There is no maximum, however grants awarded will be proportionate to the turnover of the organisation(s) applying. 
  • An application can be made by any legally constituted organisation (charity, social enterprise, for-profit companies, public sector agencies) delivering in England and Wales.
  • More information here.

 

Food & Agriculture

 

FareShare & WRAP – COVID-19 Fund for Frontline Food Charities

  • The Government announced a £16m Fund for frontline food charities to pay for millions of meals for vulnerable people struggling to get food.
  • The programme will be delivered through charity partners including WRAP, FareShare and other food distributors.
  • At least 5,000 frontline charities and community groups will benefit, including refuges, homeless shelters, and rehabilitation services.

More information can be found here.

 

Funding Enlightened Agriculture – LEAP: Small emergency loan programme

  • For a period of 3 months from the 1st April, small unsecured loans from £5,000 - £20,000.
  • 3-month capital and interest holiday, followed by 12-month capital holiday
  • Interest rate: 5%; term: 5 years and 3 months – no arrangement fees
  • The focus of this fund will be on established community food businesses and agroecological growers and can be used for anything that helps them navigate the crisis.
  • More information on eligibility and agriculture can be here.

 

The Prince’s Countryside Fund – Rural Response Emergency Grants Programme

  • Providing grants of up to £2,500 for emergency funding from farming and rural community support groups.
  • Organisations are eligible for grants if they are: (i) providing emergency relief to vulnerable or isolated individuals, (ii) providing support to farmers and farm businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic, or (iii) helping rural or farming communities to cope with the pandemic.
  • More information on eligibility and applications here – applications close on 15th April 2020.

 

Wrap: COVID-19 Emergency Surplus Food Grants

  • DEFRA is making £3.25m available through the Resource Action Fund administered by WRAP – this well be delivered in phases.
  • Phase 1 – WRAP approached a target list of small redistribution organisations who have previously applied for funding to ascertain their immediate need for funding support.
  • Phase 2 provides funding opportunities for small surplus food redistributors
  • Phase 3 is aimed at medium-large operators
  • More information on the fund here.

 

Homelessness

 

Crisis Emergency Grants Fund

  • Fund to support local groups who are financially affected by additional demands on their resources and who have expanded their provision to meet the current needs of those experiencing homelessness across the UK.
  • Awards up to £5k for short term responses to the coronavirus emergency; awards up to £50k to fund long term needs and potential expansion or change in service delivery.
  • More information on eligibility and applications can be found here.

 

Morrisons Foundation – COVID-19 Homeless Support Fund

  • The Morrisons Foundation recognises that homeless people are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 because they are more likely to have underlying health conditions and are less able to access basic sanitation.
  • Morrisons Foundation Trustees have pledged £500,000 towards the Homeless Support Fund. The fund is designed to support charities caring for the homeless during the coronavirus outbreak and ensure help gets to those who need it most.
  • More information here.

 

Heritage

 

Historic England: COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund

  • Grants of up to £25,000 will be available to small heritage organisations – including voluntary organisations and self-employed contractors – to survive the current crisis.
  • Grants of £50,000 are also available for projects and activities that reduce risks to heritage by providing information, resources and skills.
  • More information can be found here.

 

National Lottery Heritage Fund: Heritage Emergency Fund

  • £50m fund to support the heritage sector as an immediate response to the coronavirus outbreak - to address immediate pressures over the next three – six months for organisations most in need.
  • £3,000 - £50,000 grants available, priority given where there is limited or no access to other sources of support; where heritage is most at risk; and where an organisation is at risk of severe financial crisis due to COVID-19
  • More information on the fund can be accessed here.

 

Mental Health

 

Loneliness COVID-19 Grant Fund

  • The Government has launched a major effort to tackle loneliness during the coronavirus outbreak and period of social distancing.
  • National organisations working to tackle loneliness and build social connections are invited to apply for a share of £5m of funding, which the government is investing to help them to continue and adapt their work
  • This fund will make grants of between £500,000 and £1,000,000
  • More information here.

 

Mental Health Response Fund

  • £5m support from the Department for Health & Social Care has gone to set up the Coronavirus Mental Health Response Fund.
  • This is to help VCS organisations based in England continue to provide mental health services – or provide additional support.
  • Grants of £20,000 or £50,000 are available for projects lasting up to 12 months.
  • More information can be found here.

 

Research & Campaigns

 

Standard Life Foundation – Coronavirus Pandemic Fast Track Applications

  • For research, policy and campaigning work – grants ranging from £5,000 to larger amounts for projects.
  • Will fund a range of strategic work that has the potential to benefit large numbers of people within the UK. This work must aim to create a step change in policy, practice, attitudes and/or behaviour. It includes policy work, campaigning, research, public attitudinal work, and improving practice and design.
  • No fixed deadline – more information on applications here.

 

Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs

 

Facebook Small Business Grants Programme

  • Facebook are offering $100m in cash grants and ad credits to businesses experiencing disruptions resulting from COVID-19 in over 30 countries.
  • They will begin taking applications in the coming weeks – sign up here for updates.

 

The Prince’s Trust and Natwest Enterprise Relief Fund

  • £5m Enterprise Relief Fund offering grants to 18 to 30 year olds across the UK who are self-employed and/or running their own businesses.
  • In conjunction with cash grants, the initiative will offer one-to-one support and guidance to anyone
  • Register interest for grants and tailored support here.

 

Sport

 

Sport England: Community Emergency Fund

  • New £20m fund to help community sport and physical activity organsiations who are experiencing short term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to coronavirus
  • Grants of between £300 to £10,000 are available – in exceptional circumstances awards of more than £10,000 will be considered.
  • This is part of a wider £195m package to help sport and physical activity through coronavirus.
  • More information on eligibility and applications can be found here.

 

Tech for Good

 

NHSX - TechForce19 Challenge

  • NHSX is calling on all innovators who can support the elderly, vulnerable and self-isolating during COVID-19 to apply for government funding of up to £25,000 to test their solution
  • The following areas are of interest: remote social care, optimising staffing in care and volunteering sectors, and mental health
  • This competition is aimed at helping in the community, and they are not looking for solutions that are trying to solve clinical problems or require integration with NHS systems.
  • More information here.

 

UFI Charitable Trust – VocTech Now

  • VocTech Now provides grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 to support vocational learning providers to rapidly transition to remote teaching and training and deliver accessible learning at a time of significant change.
  • The aim of the fund is to enable those in work or training to continue to engage with their vocational learning programmes during this period of travel disruption.
  • More information here.

 

Support in Scotland

 

Third Sector Resilience Fund

  • A £20m emergency fund for charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations working in Scotland.
  • It will support organisations that already deliver services and products but find themselves in financial difficulties directly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
  • The fund will be delivered by Firstport, Social Investment Scotland and the Corra Foundation, providing grants between £5,000 - £10,000. In addition, there will be a further £5m available in 0% interest loans starting at £50,000.
  • There is more information and an eligibility checker on the SCVO website here.

 

Business Gateway – Virtual and Local Business Support (COVID-19 Pandemic)

 

National Lottery Community Fund (Scotland) – Awards for All

  • Awards for All has relaxed the application criteria for organisations that need help to respond to Covid-19 and will consider an application even if the applicant has already had a National Lottery Awards for All grant for something else (or have had a grant in the last 12 months).
  • Applications will also be dealt with more quickly than normal.  The fund is open to voluntary and community groups and grants of between £300 and £10,000 are available.
  • More information here.

 

Support in Northern Island

 

Coronavirus Community Fund

  • Fund supporting community groups, particular in smaller geographical communities.
  • Encouraging a partnership approach, and one application from one lead organisation, rather than a number of separate applications.
  • Grants of between £1,000 to £10,000 available. Priority will be given to organisations with income levels below £500,000.
  • More information here.

 

Support in Wales

 

Community Foundation Wales (Wales)

  • Appeal for funds to support charities, community groups and non-profits working in Wales. Launched with an initial £200,000 from the Community Foundation Wales
  • More information here.

 

Regional COVID-19 Support Funds

 

Bedfordshire & Luton - Bedfordshire Community Foundation - Coronavirus Emergency Fund

  • The Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation has set up an emergency £180K fund from corporate donors to support local charities, social enterprises and community organisations.

 

Berkshire – Berkshire Community Foundation

  • Grant fund for up to £5,0000 for local charities and smaller organisations in Berkshire providing support to the most vulnerable and isolated.
  • More information here.

 

Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire – Quartet Community Foundation - Coronavirus Response Fund

  • Grants up to £5,000 for single organisations and up to £20,000 for partnerships – work must support one or more of the following groups: the elderly, people with disabilities or underlying health conditions, the homeless, low income families, refugees and asylum seekers, people experiencing food poverty.
  • More information here.

 

Cambridgeshire – Cambridgeshire Community Foundation – Coronavirus Community Fund

  • Grants between £1,000 – £5,000, aiming to be processed in 5-10 days.
  • Focusing on organisations to deal with issues in community affecting older people and the most vulnerable.
  • More information here.

 

Cheshire & Warrington – Cheshire Community Foundation – Covid-19 Response Programme

  • Fund to support charitable projects providing activities that help people self-isolating, provide funding to coordinate response and support volunteers, and increase capacity for organisations providing emergency support, such as foodbanks or benefits advice.
  • More information here.

 

Cornwall – Cornwall Community Foundation – Emergency Fund

  • Grants ranging from £500 - £3,000 – primarily for organisations that are working with vulnerable people affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. These are to cover the costs for additional work and in response to the needs of members or beneficiaries.
  • No panel dates or a set deadline for this fund – applications are aiming to be turned around within a few days.
  • More information here.

 

Coventry & Warwickshire – Heart of England Community Foundation - Coronavirus Resilience Fund

 

Cumbria – Cumbria Community foundation – COVID-19 Response Fund

  • Grants for groups providing charitable activities in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cumbria – offering smaller grants (circa £250) to community-based groups, mutual aid and self-help groups, and larger grants (over £,1000) to organisations offering district or county level support.
  • More information here.

 

Derbyshire – Foundation Derbyshire – Coronavirus Fund

  • Subject to available funds, initial focus on providing £1,000 to food banks and befriending services who will play a role in helping those in self-isolation.
  • More information here.

 

Devon – Devon Community Foundation - Devon Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund

  • Fund for small charities or community organisations in Devon supporting vulnerable groups affected by the coronavirus outbreak
  • More information here.

 

Dorset – Dorset Community Foundation

  • Launched appeal for coronavirus fund to assist charities in Dorset
  • More information here.

 

Essex – Essex Community Foundation - Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme

  • Emergency grants of up to £15,000 – with priority given to those delivering vital services to older and vulnerable people, organisations helping to relieve pressure on public services, and those coordinating a local community response.
  • More information here.

 

Gloucestershire – Gloucestershire Community Foundation - Coronavirus Emergency Response Fund

  • Grants between £1,000 - £5,000 with a priority for coordinated volunteer programmes, and organisations picking up extra demand such as foodbanks, counselling services, advice organisations and befriending services
  • More information here.

 

Hampshire & Isle of Wight – Hampshire & Isle of White Community Foundation

  • Launched ‘We’re All Together’ Coronavirus appeal to award grants to help local charities, voluntary groups and community groups. Has already received £125,000 from VIVID (housing association.
  • More information here.

 

Hertfordshire – Hertfordshire Community Foundation

  • Launched Coronavirus Disaster Relief Fund appeal for local charities and community organisations in Hertfordshire.
  • More information here.

 

Kent – Kent Community Foundation – Coronavirus Emergency Fund

  • The Kent Community Foundation has created a fund for applications for grants up to £10,000.
  • Priority will be given to constituted community groups, e.g. charities and CICs with an average income of less than £200,000 who are supporting isolated older people and the most vulnerable.

 

Leicestershire & Rutland – Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation - Coronavirus Support Fund

  • Grants between £500 - £2,500 primarily for organisations providing direct services for older people, the vulnerable, and people who are isolated and lack a support network.
  • Followed by organisations providing services for people with low / insecure incomes, people with mental health difficulties and people facing domestic violence.
  • More information here.

 

Lincolnshire – Lincolnshire Community Foundation

  • Launched appeal for COVID-19 crisis fund – aiming to provide £500 to £3,000 grants subject to fundraising.
  • More information here.

 

London – London Funders – London Community Response Fund

  • London Funders have launched an Emergency Support Fund of £9m to support London’s voluntary sector. London Funders will also be working with wider funders to bring more money together for the fund.
  • There will be waves of funding – the first on urgent needs (small grants up to £5,000), though later funding will support organisations to deliver services in new ways to support communities and to ensure that longer-term needs are considered by the funding community.
  • More information on eligibility and how to apply can be found here.

 

Milton Keynes – Milton Keynes Community Foundation - MK Emergency Appeal Fund

  • Grants up to £2,000 subject to funding availability, to help organisations with charitable purposes to relieve hardship caused directly or indirectly by the Coronavirus pandemic.
  • More information here.

 

Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales – Steve Morgan Foundation

  • Philanthropist and Businessman Steve Morgan has pledged £1m a week to charities working with the most vulnerable during the Coronavirus outbreak.

 

Norfolk – Norfolk Community Foundation

  • Launched appeal for Covid-19 Community Response Fund to support local charities.
  • More information here.

 

Northamptonshire – Northamptonshire Community Foundation

  • Launched fundraising appeal for Response and Recovery Fund for supporting vulnerable people in the county.
  • More information here.

 

Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire Community Foundation

  • Launched appeal for Community Resilience Fund, kickstarted with a direct donation from the Indigo Trust.
  • More information here.

 

Somerset – Somerset Community Foundation

  • Launched Somerset Coronavirus Appeal to raise funds for local charitable groups.
  • More information here.

 

Stoke & Staffordshire – Community Foundation

  • Grants up to £1,000 available for local organisations supporting the costs of providing vital services.
  • More information here.

 

Suffolk – Suffolk Community Foundation

  • Launched appeal for donations towards the Suffolk Coronavirus Community Fund.
  • More information here.

 

Surrey – Community Foundation for Surrey - Coronavirus Response Fund

  • Grants up to £5,000 for community and voluntary organisations providing support to the most vulnerable / isolated including: the elderly, people with disabilities, people with mental health needs, people on low incomes, and families with young children.
  • More information here.

 

Sussex – Sussex Community Foundation - Sussex Crisis Fund

  • Emergency grants of up to £5,000 for community and voluntary sector in Sussex
  • More information here.

 

Tyne & Wear and Northumberland – Community Foundation – Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund

  • The Community Foundation has set up this fund to support older people and other vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • It will support local charities across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland in two stages: response (getting money to organisations that support older people and the vulnerable), then recovery (fund wider local charities and community organisations who are affected by the outbreak).
  • More information on the fund can be found here.

 

Tyne & Wear and Northumberland– Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner – Coronavirus Response Fund

  • £200,000 fund to support large and small charities who are struggling to retain their offer of support to victims and communities in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Any local charity, voluntary, social enterprises and community groups may apply – funding projects that support victims, improve people’s lives to prevent crime, or build community resilience.
  • More information here.

 

Wilshire & Swindon – Wiltshire Community Foundation

  • Launched appeal for Coronavirus response fund to provide emergency help to voluntary groups in the county.
  • More information here.

 

West Berkshire & North Hampshire – Greenham Trust – COVID-19 Emergency Fund

  • The Greenham Trust has announced a COVID-19 Emergency Fund for local charities and voluntary organisations who are supporting the elderly and vulnerable people.

 

West Yorkshire – Community Foundation For Calderdale

  • The Community Foundation for Calderdale are offering grants of £1000 to local charities to help the most vulnerable.

 

York, North Yorkshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull – Two Ridings Community Foundation - Coronavirus Community Fund

  • Grants of up to £2,000 available to voluntary organisations, community groups, small charities or other non-profits dealing with emerging issues in the community as a result of coronavirus
  • More information here.

 

Additional Resources and Advice

 

Bates Wells – Coronavirus Legal Insights

 

Coronavirus Funders List – 100+ Charity Emergency Funders (updated regularly)

 

Coronavirus Tech Handbook

  • A library of resources for organisations to collaborate on an agile and sophisticated response to the coronavirus outbreak and sequential impacts. It is a rapidly evolving resource with thousands of active expert contributors.

 

Community Business COVID-19 Mutual Aid Group

  • A mutual aid group run by and for community businesses – running a weekly Zoom call every Tuesday at 11am to discuss issues and share best practice with peers.
  • More information on the group and additional resources can be found here.

 

Covid-19 Funders

  • Page produced by London Funders, the membership body for funders and investors in London’s civil society. Page brings together advice for funders during Covid-19

 

Charity Bank – COVID-19 Resource Hub for Charities and Social Enterprises

 

Charity Excellence Framework

 

Charity Finance Group Guidance

  • CFG provides financial management advice & support to the VCSE sector. This page sets out its COVID-19 guidance to charities.

 

Charity Tax Group

 

Civil Society Magazine - Advice on working remotely

  • Civil Society have written a ‘how-to’ article with helpful advice on remote working during the Coronavirus.

 

Cooperatives UK

 

Fundraising Regulator Events Guidance

  • This page sets out the Fundraising Regulator’s advice on fundraising during COVID-19.

 

Grants Online – Coronavirus Fund List

  • Comprehensive list of coronavirus support grant funds for the whole UK, as well as England, Scotland, Wales and sub-regions.

 

Institute of Fundraising

 

IVAR

  • Offering online peer support sessions for leaders of smaller voluntary organisations experiencing stress and a prolonged period of uncertainty.

 

Lloyds Bank Academy

 

Locality

  • Locality members can access support, advice and webinars here. They have also published a briefing note for their members.
  • They held a webinar on 24th March on COVID-19 updates, evidence and support for members which can be viewed here. The most recent webinar from Friday 3rd April can be viewed here.

 

London Funders

  • London Funders have set up a dedicated website on behalf of their wider network of COVID-19 funders with sector news and updates.

 

National Business Response Network

  • Business in the Community are convening a unique network of purposeful leaders to share insight, expertise and create innovative programmes that deliver impact.
  • This aims to support voluntary and community organisations with an online platform for asks and offers.

 

NCVO

 

North East Growth Hub

  • The North East Growth Hub have produced a COVID-19 Toolkit with the latest guidance for businesses and employers, as well as a survey to help them provide the appropriate support during this period.

 

Russell Cooke – Advice on entering into mortgages

  • Advice on the feasibility for charities to enter into mortgages during this crisis.

 

SEUK

 

School for Social Entrepreneurs

 

The Social Change Agency

  • The Social Change Agency are providing a fiscal hosting platform to support community groups and collectives set up in response to COVID-19 with financial administration.

 

UK Community Foundations

 

UMI

  • UMI have released advice and support on their website focusing on how to finance businesses through COVID-19.

 

Volunteering Matters

  • Volunteering Matters has put out a call to businesses across the UK to identify / volunteer staff with limited or reduced capacity to help support the needs of the charity sector over the coming months.
  • These include skill areas such as: public relations and digital communications; general IT and system skills; risk and health assessors; logistics; other pro-bono servies.
  • There is a survey for businesses to complete – Volunteering Matters will hold a database and help to assign support to areas of need.

 

Relevant Statements on COVID-19

 

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