Funding is intended to support community-led organisations to deliver change by drawing on the 'lived experiences' of people who have experienced the issues being tackled. These issues should align with one of Comic Relief's four strategic themes:
- Children Survive and Thrive – ensuring every child has the best start in life
- Fighting for Gender Justice – tackling gender-based violence, inequality and exploitation
- A Safe Place to Be – supporting those who have been displaced to access secure housing and feel settled in their new homes
- Mental Health Matters – helping people with poor mental health to access appropriate support
Community-led local organisations based in England may apply. This could include:
- Constituted voluntary and community groups
- Charities
- Social enterprises
- Community Interest Companies which have been running for at least two years
- Not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee
Organisations must have an annual turnover below £250,000.
Grants of up to a maximum of £10,000 are available with:
- Capacity Building grants of up to £1,000 to be spent on activities to strengthen operations and governance. (All applications must include this grant)
- Project Delivery grants of up to £9,000 to deliver projects that fit with the programme’s strategic themes
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.
Deadlines:
Round 1 is currently open with a deadline of 29 November 2021
Round 2 will open in March 2022 and close in June 2022
Round 3 will open in October 2022 and close in January 2023