15 March 2021
Lloyd Bank Foundation Opens for Applications with £9.5m in Funding for 2021
Small and local charities in England and Wales that are helping people overcome complex social issues can apply for two-year unrestricted grants of £50,000 at any time from now until the end of 2021.
The Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales anticipates supporting around 190 charities this year through its £9.5 million funding programme.
Charities with an income of between £25,000 and £1 million that are tackling complex social issues such as mental health, homelessness, trafficking and domestic abuse, addiction and dependency can apply. Applicants will need to have a proven track record of helping people achieve positive change in their local communities.
At least 25% of all funding this year will be allocated to charities led by and for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities. The Foundation has announced that by the end of Spring 2021, it will open its Racial Equality strand of funding. This will take place once it has embedded the learning from 2020 and developed criteria that best respond to emerging needs. Charities led by-and-for members of Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic communities can start their application from March 2021.
The Foundation has introduced regional priorities to ensure that its portfolio of grants is equitably distributed across the 11 complex social issues and the regions in England and Wales.
The size of grant a charity can apply for, or whether they can apply at all at the moment, depends on Local Authority and the complex social issue the charity’s work is addressing.
Funding is available for core organisational costs which are related to the day to day running of the charity. Consideration will only be given to requests for core costs where over 50% of the charity’s work and expenditure meets the Foundation’s criteria. Funding is also available for costs associated with the direct delivery of the charity’s work.
In addition to the funding, charities will be supported by a Regional Manager who will work with them to identify priority development needs and support them to access a wide range of organisation development support to meet those needs.
The Foundation will hold a live Q&A webinar on 30 March (14:00 to 15:30) to discuss the grants programme. Registration is required.
Commenting on the 2021 funding programme, Lloyds Bank Foundation’s Chief Executive, Paul Streets said:
“The last year has been challenging for small charities responding to the pandemic. They’ve been vital in absorbing the worst effects of the crisis and providing support to people that need them the most. Even though we can now see a path out of the pandemic, locally rooted charities need long-term support to help left behind communities recover.”
There are no deadlines. Applications can be made at any time from now until the end of 2021.