The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund
Charities and community organisations carrying out vital work to help vulnerable people are today invited to apply for a major government support package worth £76 million.
New funding for charities and community groups was announced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) this week. The fund will support frontline charities and community organisations struggling to meet increased demand for their critical services, such as the provision of food, emergency provisions, shelter, safe spaces, warmth and financial or housing advice.
Grants are targeted at organisations struggling with rising costs and increased demand, that deliver on Prime Minister’s commitment to support people with cost of living and protect low-income households
Organisations can apply for grants worth between £10,000 and £75,000 to cover project and core costs, including office rent, utilities, staff and volunteers, from now until the end of March.
Minister for Civil Society Stuart Andrew said:
“We recognise this is a tough time for families and businesses across the country, as they face rising prices and higher rents or mortgage payments. And during tough times charity and community organisations are at the heart of society, supporting people struggling through life with care and compassion.
To deal with a sharp rise in demand resulting from cost of living pressures, we are supporting charities with £76 million to enable these lifeline services to cope with the increased demand they are facing and continue their good work. The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund is the first portion of funding from a total pot of £101.5 million announced by the Chancellor at the Spring Budget. Charities and community organisations are encouraged to apply for the targeted support, with a focus on small to medium-sized voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations based in England”
The remaining quarter of the funding announced at Budget, worth £25.5 million, will be used to fund measures over the next two years to help the long term energy and financial resilience of voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, as well as supporting the Government’s commitment to meeting a net zero target by 2050. Details on the application process will be announced later this year.
The funding will be distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, with a closing date of 16th October 2023. You can find more information on the funding here.
