In the second round of the Elevate programme Arts Council England is investing £3 million of National Lottery funding into improving the resilience of Disability led and Black and minority ethnic led organisations with the aim of addressing their continued under-representation in the National Portfolio. The central aim of the programme and the funding is to:

• Strengthen the resilience of diverse led organisations not in receipt of National Portfolio funding
• Increase both the number and quality of applications to future National Portfolio and strategic funding programmes from diverse led organisations – in particular Disability led and Black and minority ethnic led organisations
• Support organisations to broker partnerships with other arts and cultural organisations to advance their creative mission
• Encourage a culture of collaborative working and partnership development that strengthens resilience through developing new sources of contributed and earned income.

Grants of £75,000 to £100,000 are awarded. At least 10% of the total cost of the activity must come from sources other than the Arts Council, of which at least half must be cash match funding.

The Elevate fund will support organisational development and resilience-focused activities, for example, new staff posts or the extension of current part-time and/or fixed-term posts; training and development for staff and board members; investment in activity which aims to diversify and increase levels of contributed and earned income; consultancy and business development support;  partnership development with other arts and cultural organisations and across the creative industries; investing in or developing new digital infrastructures to strengthen resilience.

Arts organisations, accredited museums, museum support organisations and libraries not in receipt of National Portfolio funding during 2018-22 this can include: Limited companies; community interest companies (CICs); charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs); charities or trusts; limited liability partnerships; partnerships established under a deed of partnership; industrial and provident societies or community benefit societies.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest is 12pm on 23rd May 2019.

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