Applications for new Covid support community grant open now

Applications for a new fund of £300,000 for community and voluntary sector organisations to support the groups who have been disproportionately affected by Covid are open now. 

The Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) funding is targeted at support for:

• Black and minority ethnic community and voluntary groups
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + community and voluntary groups
• disability community and voluntary groups
• women's community and voluntary groups

Evidence suggests these groups felt a disproportionate impact from Covid, including:

• health inequalities
• financial and economic impact
• impact of home schooling,
• impact on future attainment
• barriers to accessing information and support including language barriers
• digital exclusion
• mental health
• violence towards women

Who can apply?

Local community groups, voluntary organisations and not-for-profit social enterprises can apply for the funding.

Bids can be from one organisation or a partnership of organisations. If you're submitting a partnership bid, you need to tell us the lead partner that we'll award a grant agreement to, if your bid is successful.

Grants awards available range from:

• up to £2,000 for groups with an annual income of up to £20,000 
• up to £10,000 for groups with an annual income of up to £100,000
• up to £20,000 for groups with an annual income of more than £100,000

All funding needs to be used by 31 March 2022.

How to apply

Visit our Contain Outbreak Management Fund webpage for further information and the details of how to apply.

The deadline for applications is 31 July 2021.

Vital support

Councillor Steph Powell, co-chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture committee, said: “I’m really pleased we’re able to offer this new grant funding.

“Evidence shows that these groups have been disproportionately affected by Covid, and extra support is vital. 

“There are many fantastic community and voluntary sector groups offering support services in the city and these extra funds will help us continue and expand that work.”