The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced an additional £750m of funding for front-line charities to help them to continue their vital work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The £750m is made up of a direct allocation of £360 million from government departments to charities providing key services during the crisis, including hospices and those charities supporting the victims of domestic abuse. A further £370 million will support small and medium-sized charities – including through a grant to the National Lottery Community Fund. These grants will support organisations working in local communities, including those delivering food, essential medicines and providing financial advice during the outbreak.
A further minimum of £20m will be allocated from the government to the National Emergencies Trust Appeal – a funding raising programme that will be aired on the BBC on 23 April. The government has committed to match public donations made on the night.
Taken together, we are told that tens of thousands of charities providing vital services will benefit from direct cash grants to ensure they can meet increased demand as a result of the virus as well as continuing their day-to-day activities supporting those in need.
Whilst charities welcomed this news there are still significant concerns that many will face collapse whilst facing higher demand for their services and a huge decrease in fundraising opportunities due to cancelled events and closure of charity shops.
