NET launches £1.2m fund for community & voluntary organisations
Melanie May | 22 September 2021 | News
The National Emergencies Trust (NET) today launches a £1.2million Local Action Fund with Crowdfunder UK to support community and voluntary organisations in countering the financial impacts of the pandemic.
Organisations can receive up to £10,000 each in match funding from the NET’s Coronavirus Appeal, which has raised more than £98m since it launched in March 2020. Over £93m of this has already been distributed to more than 13,500 charities and groups across the UK supporting people affected by the pandemic. By matching remaining Appeal funds on Crowdfunder, the Local Action Fund aims to reach more small organisations.
The Local Action Fund aims to provide financial help, while opening new avenues of income for those who may not have tried crowdfunding before. Eligible charities and groups will be able to use the funding in any way that enables their efforts, from covering core costs to launching new local services.
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The National Emergencies Trust also hopes the partnership with Crowdfunder will reach small and micro organisations that have not yet accessed funding from its Coronavirus Appeal, either due to lack of awareness or not having the resources to apply for funding.
Applications open today, 22 September, and close on 22 October 2021. If eligible, successful organisations will be required to set up a crowdfunding campaign with an aim to raise money to either launch new local initiatives or to enable them to continue existing services. The National Emergencies Trust will match donations, pound for pound, up to a total of £10,000.
Mhairi Sharp, CEO of the National Emergencies Trust 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, Co-founder and CEO of Crowdfunder, said:
“Over the course of the pandemic, the National Emergencies Trust has been carrying out vital work across the UK, raising over £98million so far to distribute to those in need. 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.”
Eligible organisations include registered charities, community interest companies, constituted organisations and non-registered charities, churches and other religious organisations, and other voluntary community organisations deemed appropriate by Crowdfunder.
About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.