Applications open for Infrastructure Organisations to support BAME-led charities and groups to access National Emergencies Trust (NET) funds.
A growing body of data, including from ONS and Public Health England shows that people who are Black, Asian and from minority ethnic (BAME) groups have been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
BAME-led organisations are playing a pivotal role in ensuring that vital emergency funds reach those from these hard-hit communities.
To date, around 12% of NET Coronavirus Appeal funds distributed via UKCF and its network of Community Foundations UK-wide has gone to BAME-led organisations. The NET has also partnered with Comic Relief to create a £3.4m fund for BAME-led organisations.
UK Community Foundations (UKCF) is making a new infrastructure fund available for organisations that can help even more BAME-led organisations to apply for NET grants through their local Community Foundations. An initial £250,000 has been allocated for this purpose, with more funds anticipated on a rolling basis.
UKCF is seeking applications from BAME-led infrastructure organisations to access the new fund. Grants between £5,000 – £20,000 over a maximum of three months are available. UKCF define a BAME-led organisation under the following terms issued by the Race Equalities Funders Alliance:
- The organisation’s mission and purpose is to benefit BAME communities.
- The majority of the leadership (i.e. at least half of the senior team and the Trustee board) are from the BAME community(ies) that it serves
Applicants will need to clearly but simply demonstrate the work that the grant will fund, including but not limited to:
- Awareness-raising via marketing and communications
- Mentoring/supporting of groups through the local Community Foundation application process
- Support with monitoring and reporting
- Provision of micro grants to enable applications for NET funding through community foundations
- Building relationships to help community foundations identify and address barriers to funding BAME-led organisations and communities
Applications will be considered by an independent panel every week and awards made as quickly as possible thereafter. The panel is led by independent BAME Voluntary and Community Sector leaders and experts, including representatives from Voice4Change, Muslim Charities Forum and Equally Ours.
The panel will award grants as applications are received from an open call on a rolling basis.
For more information and to apply click here or email: [email protected]