Covid-19: Social enterprise funding you might miss – 15 May update

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The list of Covid-19 emergency funding is growing each day – it's a challenge to navigate and easy to miss out.

So in this regular update, we are searching through to highlight our top pick of emergency grants, loans and other funding sources where deadlines are approaching or which we think you might not have noticed. The list below is divided into international and UK/Ireland funds.

You can find our full list of funds announced here. Send any announcements to us at news@pioneerspost.com by Wednesday at midday for inclusion in the next update.

 

For organisations worldwide

GSMA - Innovation Fund for Mobile Internet Adoption and Digital Inclusion (sub-Saharan Africa or Asia)

Deadline: 22 May

For startups or SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa or Asia (excluding upper middle-income countries or above) helping people get online for the first time using mobile internet. Equity-free grants of £100,000-£250,000 to scale up over 15-18 months. 

 

Islamic Development Bank - Transform Fund Call for Innovation 2020 (member countries only)

Deadline: 1 June 

Innovation fund for Covid-19 preparedness and response, aimed at scientists, innovators, SMEs and institutions needing initial funding or growth capital for ideas or projects. Particular interest in applications linked to six of the Sustainable Development Goals (hunger, health, education, water and sanitation, energy and infrastructure). Grants from US$50,000 and equity participation of up to US$1m. For IDB member countries only.

 

Twilio.org - Impact Fund

Deadline: 5 June 

A $2m grant fund from the social impact arm of cloud communications company Twilio, to support nonprofits, NGOs, and charitable organisations helping people in acute crisis through hotline and helpline services. Grant recipients to be announced in August 2020. Up to $150,000 can be requested. There’s a webinar and Q&A session about the grant round on 19 May.

 

PFAN - COVID-19 Clinic (in-kind)

Deadline: Ongoing

Customised in-kind support for climate entrepreneurs (project developers and business owners) from PFAN’s global network of climate and clean energy financing advisors. Includes webinars, virtual clinics with consultants and one-to-one consultations. Businesses within PFAN’s network are prioritised but support is “ready to expand” to other beneficiaries, as resources allow.

 

Omidyar Network COVID-19 Economic Response Advocacy Fund (USA)

Deadline: Ongoing

Omidyar Network plans to award $1.5m to groups working to “realign” US economic policies and systems so that they work better for everyone. Funds are for national, state, and local advocacy and organising efforts aimed at passing economic stimulus that will address the immediate effects of the pandemic, and can be used for any direct lobbying or other advocacy efforts categorised as 501c4 activities. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

 

 

 

For UK and Ireland organisations

COVID-19 C&V Stability Scheme (Ireland)

Deadline: 20 May 

Grants of €2,000-€100,000 available for frontline community and voluntary organisations, social enterprises or charities operating in Ireland who are facing loss of fundraising or traded income as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The Wellbeing Fund: Round 2 (Scotland)

Deadline: 22 May 

Grants of £1,000-£100,000 for third sector organisations supporting people facing additional barriers or with increased requirements as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic. Open to charities, social enterprises, community groups and other voluntary organisations that have independent governance and an asset lock; organisations that were successful in the first round of the Wellbeing Fund cannot apply in this round. Applications from groups working with BAME communities particularly welcomed. Decisions made by 5 June. 

 

Innovate Together Fund (Ireland)

Deadline: 27 May 

A €5m fund to support innovative responses to the Covid-19 crisis and recovery phase: cash grants starting at €20,000 plus business support, an online accelerator, and project performance management. Open to entities with nonprofit legal form only; previous grantees of the Social Innovation Fund Ireland may apply.

 

UK Power Networks’ Power Partners: 2020 Round 3

Deadline: 31 May 

Grants of £2,000-£20,000 to combat fuel poverty, improve energy efficiency and support people in vulnerable circumstances. For local communities within the geographical area served by UK Power Networks only; funding should be used to deliver projects that improve local energy resilience by offering practical support, advice, outreach services and training to householders, local organisations or groups. Open to registered charities or community organisations that can demonstrate a not-for-profit status and asset-locked structure.  Projects selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

The Third Sector Resilience Fund: Phase 2 (Scotland)

Deadline: Not specified

Due to demand the Scottish Government has opened a second phase of this fund and pledged additional funding. Offers a mix of grants, loans and blended (grant + loan) support of up to £75,000 for charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations working in Scotland. Applicants must be at risk of or unable to cover essential costs within 12 weeks from the date of application; eligible costs mostly limited to overheads and essential staff. 

 

DEFRA Food Charities Grant Fund (England)

Deadline: Not specified

Grants of up to £100,000 to help frontline food aid charities in England continue to provide food to the vulnerable. Available to those unable to meet an increased demand for food from vulnerable individuals or supporting charities; who have capacity to distribute all food purchased under the grant by 9 August, and who started receiving food from FareShare before 23 March.

 

Welsh government retail, leisure and hospitality sector grants (Wales)

Deadline: not specified

£10,000 business support grants to be made to small charities within the retail, leisure and hospitality sector, to help them respond to the financial challenges of Covid-19. For properties with a rateable value of £12,000 or below, including charity shops, sports premises and community centres which have previously not been eligible for this type of support.

 

 

More upcoming deadlines you may have missed

 

 

Where else to look for emergency funding

You can find our full list of funds announced previously here. 

For more details of funding available for social enterprises, charities and community groups worldwide, check out the databases compiled by the Charity Excellence Framework; and at covidcap.com, from the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship at Duke University. 

Send any announcements to us at news@pioneerspost.com by Wednesday at midday for inclusion in the next update.

 

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