The projects we fund
We will support you to continue to deliver activities to people affected by the pandemic. We can also help if you're struggling financially because of COVID-19.
We know that COVID-19 has affected lots of organisations' finances. We can help you make up for some of the losses, so you can keep helping your community through the pandemic and continue to support them after.
What types of projects we’re prioritising
We want to support projects and organisations playing a vital role in helping their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will prioritise these types of projects:
Organisations supporting people and communities who experience disproportionate challenge and difficulty as a result of the Covid-19 crisis
This category includes, for instance, organisations supporting older people, disabled people (including people with long-term health conditions) and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, all of whom are facing specific challenges during the current crisis. It also includes organisations who provide advice and support to those pushed in crisis as a result of the pandemic. This category also includes those organisations supporting people and their families with end of life care.
Organisations providing services and support for vulnerable people, for which there will be increased demand as a result of the COVID-19 crisis
This category includes, for instance, organisations supporting people and families who face financial hardship as a result of the pandemic. It also includes organisations working to prevent domestic abuse and violence against protected groups, those working with homeless people and those supporting vulnerable children and young people.
Finally, we also know that there is increased demand for mental health support and support to mitigate the increased challenges of loneliness and isolation.
Organisations which connect communities and support communities to work together to respond to Covid-19
This category includes organisations supporting local community activity, including volunteering, and community organising. It also includes organisations supporting community and sector infrastructure, including public information. We know there is increased demand for support with the development of digital, data and technology capabilities.
Finally, we want to support building capacity and infrastructure of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and other marginalised communities to ensure they are in a better position after the initial emergency response.
People-led, strengths-based and connected
People-led
We believe that people understand what's needed in their communities better than anyone. So it’s important to us that you involve your community in the design, development and delivery of the activities you’re planning.
You might want to ask yourself:
- have I spoken to the people in my community?
- have the people in my community told me what they need and what's important to them?
- have I listened to them and used what they've said to create my project?
Watch this short video explains it well. It might be helpful when you’re putting your application together.
Strengths-based
We’d like to support people and communities to build on the knowledge, skills and experience they already have, to make the changes they want.
You might want to ask yourself:
- what’s already working in my community?
- how will my project add to these positive things that are already working?
- how will my project make the most of any resources that are already helping my community?
Connected
We want to know that you’ve a good understanding of other activities and services in your community. We’d like to see how you’ll compliment these. So you can add value to what’s already there.
You might want to ask yourself:
- have I spoken to other groups in the area that are doing something similar to my project?
- have I thought about how we can all help each other?
If your project works with children, young people or vulnerable adults
You need to have a policy in place that explains how they'll be safe. And we might ask to see this policy, if we decide to give you funding. The NSPCC have lots of helpful advice about setting up and following good child safeguarding policies. NCVO also host a number of safeguarding resources. If we do fund your organisation, you must comply with our safeguarding policy.
British Sign Language video
You can also watch this video to get the above information in British Sign Language (BSL) for those who are hard of hearing.