More information has been made available on how the government’s £750 million package of support for the charity sector is being distributed, as well as how organisations can apply for it.

• £370 million has been allocated to support small and medium charities in dealing with the impact of COVID19. This will be distributed by the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF). However, there has been a significant delay in negotiations between NLCF and the government and there are still no details on how to apply for this funding.
• £200 million is being directly allocated to hospices
• £160 million is being allocated by government departments. Of this:
  • £10 million is being distributed by the Ministry for Communities, Housing and Local Government. It is inviting safe accommodation providers within England to apply and they encourage applications from consortiums. Details on how to apply can be found here and the deadline is 21 May 2020.
  • The Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DeFRA) is coordinating the Food Charities Grant scheme. This allows front-line food aid charities in England to apply for £30,000 to £100,000 to help continue to provide food to the vulnerable. Details on how to apply can be found here and the deadline is 6 July 2020.
  • The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been allocated £6 million for the Armed Forces COVID-19 Impact Programme. This will ensure that armed forces communities can access important services. It will be administered by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. Grants of up to £60,000 will be awarded or £125,000 in exceptional circumstances. Details on how to apply can be found here and the deadline is 29 May 2020.
  • The Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport has launched a £5 million fund for national organisations that are tackling loneliness and building social connections. Grants of between £500,000 and £1,000,000 are available. Further information and details of how to apply are available here and the deadline is 12pm on 29 May 2020.
  • The Ministry of Housing Communities and local government is delivering £6 million for emergency funding to homelessness charities. This money is being delivered via Homeless Link. Further information and details of how to apply are available here and the deadline for applications is 27 May 2020.
  • The Department for International Development has received £20 million to support UK organisations that are fighting the virus overseas. This funding is only available to pre-approved NGOs on the department’s Rapid Response Facility and £18 million has already been granted to six charities.
  • There has been no detail on how the £26 million allocated to the Department for Education will be distributed. This money will support charities working with vulnerable families, including those with disabled children and children leaving care. Childline will also receive a share of the funding.
  • The Home Office will spend almost £4 million supporting local domestic abuse services and organisations fighting modern slavery – no details have been published on how this will be distributed or spent.
  • It will also spend £7.8 million to support charities helping children at risk of sexual abuse or criminal exploitation – no details have been published on how this will be distributed or spent.