This National Lottery COVID-19 Fund in England has now closed We’ve closed this allocation of funding to new applications and should have awarded funds by the end of December 2020.
But you can still apply for National Lottery funding to help your community through COVID-19 With the COVID-19 pandemic still with us, we'll continue to support people and communities most adversely impacted by COVID-19.
This National Lottery COVID-19 Fund in England has now closed We’ve closed this allocation of funding to new applications and should be finished distributing these funds by the end of October 2020.
But you can still apply for National Lottery funding to help your community through COVID-19 With the COVID-19 pandemic still with us, we'll continue to support people and communities most adversely impacted by COVID-19.
The Government allocation of funding to the Coronavirus Community Support Fund (CCSF) has now closed to new applications.
We’re prioritising the assessing and awarding of funding to the organisations that have already applied for this funding.
You can still apply for emergency National Lottery funded grants in England to help your community through COVID-19.
We'll focus on 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); lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer + (LGBTQ+) communities 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 and those organisations supporting people and their families with end-of-life care.
Who we cannot accept applications from:
organisations that have already applied to us for COVID-19 funding (whether successful or unsuccessful) through the Government Coronavirus Community Support Fund (CCSF), since 22 May 2020
statutory bodies
schools
individuals
sole traders
companies that can pay profits to directors, shareholders or members (including Companies Limited by Shares)
organisations based outside the UK
one organisation applying on behalf of another. Be careful of businesses or consultants who say they can support you with your funding applications. They might even say they’re acting on the Fund’s behalf, or they’re a preferred supplier of the Fund. They could even offer to write an application for you. We wouldn’t accept applications from these types of businesses or consultants. But you can get support and advice on writing your application from your local CVS (your local council for voluntary services).
You can apply if your organisation is a:
voluntary or community organisation
registered charity
constituted group or club
not-for-profit company or Community Interest Company
Board or committee members
It’s really important that organisations that apply have at least two people on their board or committee who are not related.
By related, we mean:
married to each other
in a civil partnership with each other
in a long-term relationship with each other
living together at the same address
related by blood.
All companies who apply must have at least two directors who are not related in any of these ways. This also applies to companies that are also registered as charities.
We can fund activities supporting people and communities affected by COVID-19. We can also help organisations overcome any acute financial difficulties they face as a result of the pandemic.
What types of projects we’re funding
We'll focus on 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); lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer + (LGBTQ+) communities 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 and those organisations supporting people and their families with end-of-life care.
We know that small- and medium-sized charities are likely to be more vulnerable right now. So we encourage applications from those organisations, including micro charities.
Your organisation should involve your community
We know that some communities, such as disabled people and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities are being hit hard by the pandemic. We encourage organisations to apply who are led by people from those communities.
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.
This short video explains it well. It might be helpful when you’re putting your application together.
We can fund activities supporting people and communities affected by COVID-19. We can also help organisations overcome any acute financial difficulties they face as a result of the pandemic.
This list doesn't include everything. So, if you're not sure, contact us.
We can fund:
your organisation’s running costs
essential items for food banks
small land or refurbishment projects that can be delivered within Government guidelines (but make sure you own the land or building, have a lease that can't be ended for five years, have a letter from the owner saying the land or building will be leased to you for at least five years, or an official letter from the owner or landlord that says you're allowed to do work on the building) - you should also think about getting planning permission for the work too
equipment
one-off events
staff costs
training costs
transport
utilities/running costs
volunteer expenses.
We encourage you to think about any organisational costs needed to help you and your community through the current crisis.
We cannot fund:
alcohol
contingency costs, loans, endowments or interest
profit-making/fundraising activities
VAT you can reclaim
statutory activities
overseas travel
campaigning activities (this fund is to support the delivery of direct services for vulnerable people)
religious activities (we can fund religious organisations if their project benefits the wider community and doesn’t include religious content)
