The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund is now open for applications.
The fund is to support charities and community organisations in England which provide critical cost of living services for those struggling with rising costs and increased demand. It is focused on small and medium sized organisations, but national organisations can apply where they can demonstrate local impact.
Organistaions can apply for between £10,000 and £75,000 and the deadline for applications is midday on 16 October 2023.
To be eligible, organisations must provide at least one of these critical services to low-income households and individuals:
- Food and emergency supplies
- Emergency shelter
- Safe spaces
- Warmth
- Financial or housing advice
Richard Fuller MP said:
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 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 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. 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. Decisions will be made on a rolling basis, with successful applicants receiving funding around 12 weeks after they submit an application.
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.
For full details on how to apply, please see the following link: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/community-organisations-cost-of-living-fund
