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Who could apply

The organisations we're funding

Our main priority is to fund organisations supporting low-income households and individuals in England.

We're funding front-line organisations that offer critical services for people and communities under severe pressure because of the increased cost of living.

To apply, organisations had to already run critical services around at least one of the following:

  • food and emergency supplies – like food and baby banks or the provision of hot meals, clothes or toiletries
  • emergency shelter – like night shelters or other accommodation for people experiencing homelessness
  • safe spaces – like domestic abuse services and youth services
  • warmth – like warm rooms and spaces
  • financial and housing advice – like giving people advice because of the increased cost of living

We’re funding organisations that are experiencing increased demand for critical services and increased costs in delivering them.

We want to help organisations meet the needs of their communities while staying financially stable.

We asked organisations that applied to tell us about the increased demand for their critical services, and the increased cost of running them. This could include more people using the services, or the same number of people needing more help.

We're funding organisations that are embedded in their communities and have strong local relationships

This includes small and medium-sized organisations that are already providing critical support services to people in their communities. By small and medium-sized organisations, we mean organisations with an annual turnover of between £10,000 and around £1 million. Smaller organisations could try our National Lottery Awards for All fund.

Larger organisations could also apply if they did both of the following:

  • showed that they work closely and effectively with local communities
  • filled a gap in essential local services

Who could apply for funding

You could apply if your organisation was a:

  • registered, exempt or excepted charity (either incorporated or unincorporated)
  • charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)
  • not-for-profit company limited by guarantee (must be a registered charity or have a not-for-profit 'asset lock' clause in its articles of association)
  • community interest company (CIC)
  • community benefit society
  • co-operative society (must have a not-for-profit 'asset lock' clause in its society rules and be registered with the Financial Conduct Authority)

Organisations need at least 2 board or committee members who are not related

Related can mean:

  • related by marriage
  • in a civil partnership with each other
  • in a long-term relationship with each other
  • related through a long-term partner
  • living together at the same address
  • related by blood

All companies we fund must have at least 2 directors who are not related in any of these ways. This also applies to companies that are registered as charities.

Who could not apply

We did not accept applications from:

  • unincorporated associations (unless they are also a registered charity with the Charity Commission)
  • organisations that have already applied for this funding
  • statutory bodies (including town, parish and community councils)
  • schools
  • individuals
  • sole traders
  • one organisation applying on behalf of another or a partnership
  • organisations that try to make profits and share these profits out privately. This includes organisations without the right asset locks. Or organisations that can pay profits to directors or shareholders.