BBC Children in Need Launches COVID-19 Next Step Grants Programme

New programme aims to fund sustained responses to the coronavirus/COVID-19 situation.

BBC Children in Need is providing this grants programme as a separate programme to its Large Grants and Small Grants programme.

The funding is intended to benefit not-for-profit organisations working with children and young people aged 0-18 years who are disadvantage including illness; distress; abuse or neglect; any kind of disability; behavioural or psychological difficulties; or living in poverty or situations of deprivation. The funder has provided a list of children and young people identified as being particularly impacted by the coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis.

Grants of up to £80,000 are available to help organisations with more complex service adaption, including additional staffing requirements. It is designed to be as flexible as possible, covering a wide range of activities. Projects can last up to 18 months and need to begin in September 2020.

Due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, the funder has temporarily broadened the types of applications accepted.

Applications for the following are encouraged:

Project delivery
Creative solutions to deliver much needed services
Organisational stability and support

Organisations must be registered with the appropriate regulatory body, such as their nation’s Charity Commission or companies House (unless the applicant organisation currently holds a BBC Children in Need grant).

Priority will be given to organisations that:

Target children and young people disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Have mission statements which focus on supporting and empowering a particular group or community experiencing disadvantage.
Respond confidently in a local area and are best placed to do so. The programme wants to fund organisations that have the reach and trust of the communities/communities of interest they serve.
Can prove a track record of engaging disadvantaged children and young people over the last two years.

The deadline for applications is 1 July 2020. Applications will be assessed in the order received.

Full details…