NET launches £1.2m fund for charities to counter impact of Covid-19

The National Emergencies Trust (NET) has launched a £1.2m fund to help charities supporting communities impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Local Action Fund is being launched on the Crowdfunder platform and a total of £1,220,000 has been made available through match funding.

Successful applicants “will be required to set up a crowdfunding campaign with an aim to raise money to either launch new local initiatives or to enable them to continue existing services,” said NET.

The National Emergencies Trust will match donations up to a total of £10,000 per charity. Applications launched this week and close on 22 October.

The funding is aimed at projects that are “taking positive action” to support pandemic impacted communities and “counter the financial impacts” of the health crisis.

Supporting communities’ mental health is another priority as is helping people who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

Exciting news! We're match funding, pound for pound, to help charities recover from the financial impact of the pandemic. We're doing this through launching a £1.2million Local Action Fund with @crowdfunderuk 🙌 Read more below 👇https://t.co/xG3Zgda8Dq
— National Emergencies Trust (@NatEmergTrust) September 22, 2021

“Local groups have shown incredible ingenuity and resilience through the pandemic,” said NET chief executive Mhairi Sharp.

“We’ve seen community theatres turn into radio stations to connect with the isolated. Domestic Abuse charities adapt services at speed to cope with surges in demand. And so many more stories of ensuring compassion and commitment.

“But all of this incredible work has taken a financial toll on these organisations, who have faced much greater need but with far fewer ways to fundraise.

“We hope that the Local Action Fund will offer a welcome financial boost to brilliant local charities and groups across the UK, and enable them to keep making a positive difference to people’s lives.”

Crowdfunder co-founder and chief executive Rob Love added: “This new funding opportunity is an incredible way to help community and voluntary organisations who might have otherwise been unaware of the help on offer.”