Second CVG Covid-19 Funding Update April 2020

9th April 2020

RURAL community groups helping locals counter the effects of isolation as the coronavirus lockdown continues are now being offered financial support from The Prince's Countryside Fund.
The charity is inviting applications for emergency funding of up to £2500.
To be eligible, groups should either provide emergency relief to vulnerable or isolated individuals or support to farmers and farm businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic or be helping rural or farming communities to find ways of coping with the coronavirus pandemic.
A total of £100,000 total is available in this first round of funding with money potentially used to support rural foodbanks and food delivery services, cover volunteer and fuel costs for grocery and prescription delivery from rural community shops and hubs, and other costs associated with emergency support by farm and agricultural support groups.
Prince's Countryside Fund director Claire Saunders said: "Charitable organisations assisting their rural communities face particular challenges in these difficult times. I am pleased that through the generosity of players of People's Postcode Lottery, The Prince's Countryside Fund is able to offer some support for those most affected."
Applications close on Wednesday, April 15. To apply or find out more, visit www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/grants


Tesco Bags of Help is responding to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis by setting up a new short-term fund to support local communities. Due to the need to respond quickly to the emergency we have created a streamlined application process and payment process to make it easier to get funds distributed quickly. If your application is successful the fund will provide a single payment award of £500 to organisations who are supporting vulnerable groups. The programme is set up to support organisational need in this time of crisis rather than fund specific projects. Typically, the fund will prioritise organisations;
Whose need for services has been disrupted - for example a food bank whose stocks are running low and need an immediate donation to enable the food bank to restock.
Require to put in place new services - for example charities setting up a new home service for the elderly who usually attend a monthly lunch club or a charity needing to set up a telephone service to support beneficiaries.
Increased demand - a holiday hunger club needs more resources due to schools closing, or a children's centre needs an additional temporary staff member.
Applications will be welcomed from a wide range of organisations including: voluntary/community organisations, registered charities, schools, health bodies, Parish/Town councils, social enterprises, Community Interest Companies, community councils, local authorities and social housing organisations. Other not-for-profit organisations might also be eligible. To find out more and to apply go tohttps:tescobagsofhelp.org.uk

Youth Scotland's Action Fund has been established to help youth groups and youth workers meet the needs of young people in response to the Covid-19 Coronavirus.
The global Covid-19 epidemic is now making a significant and unprecedented impact on people’s lives in communities throughout Scotland and the UK. The needs of young people, youth workers and youth groups have changed in this past week as our way of life is disrupted in ways we could not have previously imagined.
Therefore, the purpose of this fund is to enable youth groups to purchase essential items that will enable them to continue working with young people throughout this period of social distancing and restrictions. It is a Micro Grant fund. To find out more go tohttps://www.youthscotland.org.uk/programmes/youth-scotland-action-fund/

Heritage Lottery Fund update The National Lottery Heritage Fund has put together a £50million fund to support the heritage sector as an immediate response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The £50m fund will be available for grants of between £3,000 and £50,000.
It is available to organisations across the full breadth of heritage, including historic sites, industrial and maritime heritage, museums, libraries and archives, parks and gardens, landscapes and nature.
Priority will be given where there is limited or no access to other sources of support; where heritage is most at risk and where an organisation is at risk of severe financial crisis due to COVID-19
Link: https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/heritage-emergency-fund

Standard Life Foundation Coronavirus Fund
Grants from £5,000 upwards are available to support projects that contribute to social change which tackles financial problems and improves living standards for those on low-to-middle incomes.
Deadline: apply as soon as possible as applications will be closed once they have funded a certain number of projects.
How to apply: submit one page outline to applications@standardlifefoundation.org.uk.

Community resilience groups can benefit from new grant scheme
A new fund has been set up by Highland Council to provide grants for community resilience groups that are supporting vulnerable people during the coronavirus outbreak.
This fund is available to groups which provide vital support to vulnerable individuals, including the delivery of emergency food and supplies. 
Support can include:
• Supporting local volunteer efforts and expenses (such as developing promotional materials and support for local volunteer telephone systems)
• Making up food packs for vulnerable households
• Developing measures to address social isolation
• Providing a source of funding to enable groups to shop for individuals in the community where households no longer have cash available and they cannot source local deliveries.
Groups can apply for up to £500 at any one time and can reapply once initial funding is spent.  
The fund is open to all groups within a local area - both constituted and non-constituted. The Council recognises that there are a lot of new groups, which have been set up to support COVID-19 related resilience efforts. 
Groups are also encouraged to register with the Council and Highland Third Sector Interface if they have not done so already. Applications are through the normal ward discretionary grant process. To get shortened form go to
https://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/22503/supporting_community_resilience_-_application
All completed forms should be sent to policy6@highland.gov.uk 

See Also the First Covid Emergency funding List