27 July 2020
Small and local charities helping people overcome complex social issues can now apply for two-year unrestricted grants of £50,000 with dedicated organisational development support. At least a quarter of the funding will be allocated to charities led by and for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted charities; research by Institute of Fundraising reports 84% saw a decrease in income while almost half are seeing the demand for their services increase as people facing complex social issues are at even greater risk. Research conducted by Ubele in April 2020 has found that 9 out of 10 Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic led charities are set to close permanently if the crisis continues beyond three months. Moreover, research by Public Health England highlights the disproportionate impact on the health of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities.
To meet the needs of small and local charities and the people they support, on 3rd August 2020, Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales will open new COVID-19 funding to support charities to recover beyond the immediate crisis. The COVID Recovery Fund will offer 150 charities a two-year unrestricted grant of £50,000 alongside the support of a Development Partner to help charities identify and act on any organisational and service delivery adaptations needed to recover from the pandemic and its aftermath.
Eligible for support are charities with an income between £25,000 and £1 million across England and Wales tackling complex social issues such as mental health, homelessness and domestic abuse[i] and with a proven track record of helping people achieve positive change in their local communities.
We know there is an explicit link between the vast majority of our complex social issues and racial injustice, and that these intersecting inequalities are best addressed by the small charities that are rooted in the communities they serve. To ensure that the funding is distributed equitably to the charities that are best placed to serve the communities that need it most, at least a quarter of this funding will go to organisations that are led by and for people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.
Alongside the two-year unrestricted grant, the Lloyds Bank Foundation is investing in a Development Partner to work alongside grant holders for a year helping them to identify and address their organisational needs. This will be achieved through the Foundation’s capacity building Enhance programme, learning networks and peer forums.
Paul Streets OBE, Chief Executive, Lloyds Bank Foundation said: “These last few months have been immensely trying for the voluntary sector, yet, small and local charities are continuing to help the people that need them most. They have been developing innovative ways of reaching people, adapting their service delivery models, forming strong partnerships with local agencies to coordinate support and so much more.
“COVID-19 has also shone a light on the historic and structural inequalities of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. As a funder, we have a responsibility to respond to the needs of minoritised people by supporting the charities that know and understand them best. That is why we are ringfencing at least a quarter of our funding for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic led charities who are helping communities.”
Please note: Applications for the COVID Recovery Fund are now closed / Updated Friday 11 September
