The National Emergencies Trust (NET) has opened a £1.2m match-funding programme for charities financially affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
NET said that it will match the money charities raise through crowdfunding, up to a total of £10,000.
The scheme was launched today in collaboration with Crowdfunder, and will be open to applications for the next month.
NET said that it recognised the “financial toll” the pandemic had taken on the voluntary sector.
Projects and core costs
In a statement, NET said that The Local Action Fund will “focus on projects taking positive action for people in their communities affected by the pandemic, from supporting mental health to assisting with financial hardship or helping communities disproportionately impacted by Covid-19”.
They said that they hoped the funding would reach small and micro charities which have not accessed NET’s support in the past.
Funding can cover charity projects as well as core costs.
Last money from Coronavirus Appeal
The Local Action Fund will distribute the last of the money raised through NET’s Coronavirus Appeal since March last year, which came to a total of just under £100m.
NET said that more than 13,500 charities and other groups had already received funding from the appeal.
Charities facing ‘greater need’
Mhairi Sharp, the chief executive of NET, said: “Local groups have shown incredible ingenuity and resilience through the pandemic.
“Through the Coronavirus Appeal we’ve seen community theatres turn into radio stations to connect with the isolated, domestic abuse charities adapt services at speed to cope with surges in demand, and so many more stories of ensuring compassion and commitment.
“But all of this incredible work has taken a financial toll on these organisations, who have faced much greater need but with far fewer ways to fundraise.
“We hope that the Local Action Fund will offer a welcome financial boost to brilliant local charities and groups across the UK, and enable them to keep making a positive difference to people’s lives.”
Rob Love, the chief executive of Crowdfunder, said: “This new funding opportunity is an incredible way to help community and voluntary organisations who might have otherwise been unaware of the help on offer.”
Charities can learn more about the funding from the NET website.
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