BAME-led charities urged to apply for £1m Phoenix Fund

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) led charities are being urged to apply for a £1m National Lottery backed fund.

Applications opened this week for the Phoenix Fund, which is offering grants of up to £20,000 to BAME led organisations.

The fund has been set up by the National Lottery Community Fund and the Global Fund for Children to support BAME leadership, and relief efforts, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

It aims to raise awareness of the challenges facing BAME communities, offering BAME grassroots groups core funding to work in the community and to establish a partnership of improvement among community based organisations.

BAME led organisations located and working in England with an annual income of up to £100,000 are eligible. Local offices or projects of large charities are not eligible

A panel with understanding and lived experience of working in BAME communities will drive the grant making decisions.

“The decision-making committee will meet every two weeks to assess applications, and there will be four rounds of grant-making decisions,” said the Global Fund for Children.

“Funding decisions will not be made on first come, first served basis, and there will be funding available up until the final deadline.”

There will be four rounds of funding:

Round 1
Application deadline: 21 August 2020
Panel meeting: 2 September 2020
Awardees notified: 3 September 2020

Round 2

Application deadline: 2 September 2020
Panel meeting: 16 September 2020
Awardees notified: 17 September 2020

Round 3
Application deadline: 16 September 2020
Panel meeting: 30 September 2020
Awardees notified: 01 October 2020

Round 4

Application deadline: 30 September 2020
Panel meeting: 12 October 2020
Awardees notified: 13 October 2020

As reported in Charity Times last month the fund will prioritise funding to support small organisations in communities most affected by Covid-19.

    Share Story:

Recent Stories


Video Q&A: In conversation with Vicki Sellick MBE, CEO of Good Things Foundation
Vicki Sellick MBE, CEO of Good Things Foundation joins Charity Times editor, Lauren Weymouth to discuss her leadership journey, the organisation’s new strategy and the findings of the Digital Nation 2026 report. She explores the challenges of digital inclusion, the opportunities and risks of AI, and how the sector can ensure nobody is left behind.

Video Q&A: Benefits of bespoke investment vs pooled funds for the third sector
In this Charity Times video Q&A, editor Lauren Weymouth speaks to Ed Caswell of RBC Brewin Dolphin to explore how charities can align investment strategies with their mission, balance income and growth, and adapt to changing needs. He discusses discretionary management, responsible investment and the importance of effective governance and regular portfolio reviews.

Charity Times Awards 2023