This information is aimed at community organisations who are asked to apply for grants up to £75,000 to help critical frontline services in this financial year. All the information is below.
Letter from Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP (Minister for Sport, Gambling and Civil Society)
Voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations play a crucial role in our communities and the support they provide is vital now more than ever, as they help people with the cost of living. The UK Government is demonstrating its commitment to these organisations by today launching the £76m Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund, which will provide grants of up to £75,000 to critical frontline services in this financial year.
The Fund will focus on those organisations delivering core subsistence-level provision around food, warmth, shelter, safety and associated advice. The investment is intended to ensure that frontline charities and community organisations can meet increased demand and offer better outcomes for low income households and individuals who are struggling.
The Fund will be delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund and will distribute grants to those organisations most impacted by increased demand for their services and increased delivery costs. Organisations will be able to apply for grants from £10,000 to £75,000. Funding is available for the costs of delivering services between the Fund’s launch on July 24 2023 and 31 March 2024, including continuing existing provision, expanding the capacity of services to meet demand or adapting services to respond to new needs in local communities.
Grant awards will be decided through a competitive process, seeking applications from eligible organisations. There is an expectation that this Fund will be oversubscribed and not every organisation will receive funding. Applicants must be:
● offering critical services to low-income households and individuals around at least one of: food and emergency supplies, emergency shelter, safe spaces, warmth and financial or housing advice;
● able to demonstrate increased demand and increased costs for those critical services;
● registered with the Charity Commission or an incorporated not-for-profit company;
● providing services to a local community in England - with a focus on small and medium organisations, although larger organisations can apply where they can demonstrate local impact.
Applications are now open, until midday on 16 October 2023. Decisions will be made on a rolling basis, with successful applicants receiving funding around 12 weeks after they submit an application. Further details on the eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found here - https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/community-organi….
The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund is part of a package of support of over £100 million for charities and community organisations announced in the 2023 Spring Budget. The remaining funding of over £25 million will be invested in measures over the next two years to increase the energy efficiency and sustainability of voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. I will write to you to make you aware when that funding launches.
