Covid-19: Social enterprise funding you might miss – 22 May update

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The list of Covid-19 emergency funding is growing each day – it's a challenge to navigate and easy to miss out.

So in this regular update, we are searching through to highlight our top pick of emergency grants, loans and other funding sources where deadlines are approaching or which we think you might not have noticed. The list below is divided into international and UK/Ireland funds.

You can find our full list of funds announced here. Send any announcements to us at news@pioneerspost.com by Wednesday at midday for inclusion in the next update.

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For organisations worldwide

Booz Allen Foundation: COVID-19 Innovation Fund (US/Global)

Deadline: 5 June

Innovation grants for use of data, technology and intellectual capital to improve Covid-19 relief efforts; seeking solutions that help protect vulnerable populations and frontline workers, or ensure safe return to work. Up to $100,000 for nonprofits; up to $10,000 for individuals, teams of individuals and for-profit organisations. Mostly for US-based applicants, but with some exceptions, and projects can address international needs.

 

Council of Europe / European Youth Foundation - Special call for pilot activities (Europe)

Deadline: 22 June (and September)

Grants of up to €10,000 for non-governmental local or national youth organisations that are responding to local needs arising from the Covid-19 crisis. Applicants must register with the EYF and be located in one of 50 European/neighbouring countries. Priority given to activities supporting vulnerable groups, health and education, and awareness-raising on human rights.  

 

Emergência COVID-19 - Coordenação de ações da filantropia e do investimento social em resposta à crise (Brazil)

Deadline: Multiple

Multiple opportunities on Brazil’s Emergência Covid-19 website, which aims to connect impact investors to businesses and identify emergency funds to invest in. Also has guidelines and tools for organisations seeking non-financial assistance.

 

SIDBI Covid-19 Startup Assistance Scheme (India)

Deadline: Ongoing

A venture capital scheme backing innovative startups with 50 or more staff that have demonstrated their ability to adapt to the economic impact of Covid-19 and ensured employees’ safety and financial stability. Maximum loan of INR 20m, for up to three years, with a 12-month maximum moratorium period.

 

US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) - Global Health and Prosperity Initiative (developing countries)

Deadline: Ongoing

DFC’s new health initiative aims to mobilise private sector investment to the tune of $3bn, as well as committing $2bn itself. It’s now calling for proposals from private sector entities with projects that support the pandemic response in developing countries, especially through investment in health system capacity. It will invest $5m-$500m in projects, in the form of equity and debt financing, along with political risk insurance and technical support. List of eligible countries here.

 

 

For UK and Ireland organisations

The Baring Foundation - Strengthening Civil Society programme 

Deadline: 28 May / 11 August / 17 November

Three new funding streams to support existing grantholders and others to tackle the challenges posed by Covid-19. Funding totals £1m and will run throughout 2020. Areas covered include supporting legal action related to Covid-19 (£40,000 max grant); operational impacts (£5,000 max grant); and increase in demand for advice from frontline organisations (£30,000 max grant).

 

ESF Community Grant Programme: Re-Connect (Greater Manchester)

Deadline: 3 June

Funding of up to £20,000 for voluntary organisations based in Greater Manchester; may be used to help all those out of work or economically inactive (and live in the area), but in particular those who are homeless, have low or no qualifications, have disabilities, are from ethnic minorities, etc.

 

WRAP - COVID-19 Emergency Surplus Food Grant: phase 2 (England)

Deadline: 4 June (subject to funds remaining)

Grants of £5,000 and £10,000 awarded on a first come first-served basis, to nonprofit organisations currently operating food redistribution operations in England and who can redistribute surplus food from retailers, wholesalers, and food manufacturers, to people in need. Grantees of Resource Action Fund (RAF) are not eligible.

 

Energy Saving Trust - Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme 

Deadline: Ongoing

Minimum grant of £20,000 for charities that help reduce fuel poverty. The scheme can provide capital or revenue funding and fund up to 100% of the project cost for projects of up to two years. Amount of funding available is reviewed quarterly, and when funding is available eligible charities will be notified to apply. Activities covered include training, energy advice, installation of energy-saving measures etc.

 

Welsh Government Covid-19 Resilience Innovation Project Support (Wales)

Deadline: Ongoing

Funding for innovative projects helping to fight the virus, including production of medical devices, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and delivery of sanitising products. Fast appraisal process promised to enable projects to start quickly.

 

National Lottery Community Fund: Coronavirus Community Support Fund

Deadline: Ongoing

A £200m fund aimed primarily at small to medium organisations in England, which can apply for grants of up to £100,000 to cover spending for up to six months. Priority given to organisations supporting those who experience disproportionate difficulty as a result of the crisis; those supporting vulnerable people; and those connecting communities to work together to respond to Covid-19. Smaller grants (up to £10,000) also available. Applications opened on Friday 22 May. 

 

Future Fund for innovative businesses 

Deadline: Initially open until end Sept

Government loans (£125,000-£5m) to UK-based innovative companies facing financing difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors. To be eligible, firms should: have raised at least £250,000 in the last five years, not be publicly traded, be incorporated before 31 Dec 2019, and have at least half of revenues or employees come from the UK.

 

Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) (UK)

Deadline: Ongoing

A 100%-government-backed loan scheme for small UK businesses that are losing revenue and seeing cash flow disrupted as a result of Covid-19. Businesses will be able to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 and access the cash within days. Loans will be interest-free for the first 12 months, and businesses can apply online through a short and simple form.  Loans are available through British Business Bank accredited lenders and partners.

 

More upcoming deadlines you may have missed

 

 

Where else to look for emergency funding

 

You can find our full list of funds announced previously here. 

For more details of funding available for social enterprises, charities and community groups worldwide, check out the databases compiled by the Charity Excellence Framework; and at covidcap.com, from the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship at Duke University. 

Send any announcements to us at news@pioneerspost.com by Wednesday at midday for inclusion in the next update.

 

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