Introduction – overview of the funding

The Comic Relief Community Fund (England) 2024 programme will focus on supporting organisations whose activities help to address poverty and its impact – funding organisations that provide essential resources such as food, shelter, healthcare and education, include foodbanks, homeless shelters, family hubs and community wellbeing centres.

The Fund offers grants of up to £5,000 for grassroots, community-led organisations in England to help support the delivery of services and activity that benefit local communities.  The fund is being administered by Groundwork UK.

Who is eligible to apply?

Grants will be awarded to voluntary or community organisations including registered charities and not for profit companies with an income of less than £250,000 and who deliver against the key areas (see below) which link with Comic Relief’s new funding strategy.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be based within the area where they are carrying out activities.
• Have local people involved in the running of the organisation as trustees/staff/volunteers.
• Be not for profit.
• Have an annual income of £250,000 or less.
• Have a governing document (e.g. constitution or memorandum and articles of association) which includes appropriate statements on members not benefiting financially from the organisation or its dissolution.
• Have its own safeguarding policy.
• Have at least two unrelated people on the committee.
• Have its own bank account with a minimum of two unrelated signatories.
• Not be a statutory organisation.

What are the funder priorities?

The funding is intended for projects that deliver against the four key areas which link with Comic Relief’s new funding strategy:

1. Tackling immediate impacts of hardship – organisations that directly address the immediate impacts of poverty, including providing food, warmth, shelter and financial advice such as foodbanks, community hubs, homeless shelters or welfare advice agencies.
2. Building resilience to poverty and hardship – organisations that deliver activities to empower people to take positive steps out of poverty in the longer term. Examples include skills training, job search, volunteering, mental resilience and financial confidence skills.
3. Working to support equity and inclusion – organisations that champion social justice, diversity and inclusion. This could involve service or projects to tackle inequalities which can lead to poverty and exclusion including gender, sexuality, age, race, language or ability.
4. Working to support climate justice – supporting activities that improve energy efficiency, environmental education and resilience-building within communities most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such communities at risk of flooding or urban heat islands and those more vulnerable to extreme weather events, such as older people, isolated communities or people with disabilities. Projects might include community awareness sessions, carbon literacy training and practical measures.

How much can organizations apply for?

Grants of up to £5,000 are available for grassroots, community-led organisations with an income of less than £250,000

What the funding can be used for

Funding can be used on core organisation costs, direct project related costs or a combination of both that support the organisation to deliver against any of the four areas.

An example of core funding could be a contribution to organisation’s annual budget to continue its good work, funding to expand the work, or to add something new that amplifies results. It could also be allocated for expenses that are harder to fund, such as salaries of senior management or administration, or ongoing costs that are not covered by other grants.

Core funding has to be used for an agreed purpose, and in an agreed time period, by the end of September 2025.

Examples of direct project costs could include:

• Counselling and support services
• Paying staff or volunteer expenses
• Costs for equipment or materials
• Core, ongoing running costs of the organisation, such as, rent, utilities, and other general running costs.
• Training for staff and volunteers
• Consultant time to help develop the organisation or key policies
• Website development to improve the marketing and promotion of services
• Buying food and equipment for a foodbank
• Employing seasonal workers to deliver activities for young people, tackling inequality issues
• Creating a community garden to help refugees come together, tackling family isolation and mental health issues.

Please note that core funding is not the same as unrestricted funding, which can be put in a bank or investment and spent however wanted.

Is there a deadline?

Applications will be accepted from 14 October 2024 to 8 November 2024 (5pm).

It is expected that the application process will be competitive. If it is oversubscribed, the application form will be closed at any point.

Find out more/how to apply

The first step in the application process is to complete an online Eligibility Checker. Eligible groups will then be given a link to the online application form.

The guidance notes and the Eligibility Checker can be found on the Groundwork website.

Further support

For further support from RVA with preparing your application or your policies and procedures required for this funding, contact Herjeet Vass at herjeet.vass@rva.org.uk