Coronavirus: Philanthropy trust launches £10m charity survival fund

A £10m funding pot has been made available to help charities struggling with income loss due to Covid-19.

The Charity Survival Fund has been made available by the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust to small and medium sized charities to overcome the impact of the pandemic on their finances.

This is the first time the Trust, set up by Swedish philanthropist Hans Rausing and his wife Julia, is open to funding applications from charities.

It is specifically for charities with an annual income below £5m and aims to assist with the costs of existing programmes and the day to day running of their organisations. It is not aimed at funding capital or expansion projects.

The grants will range from £1,000 to £250,000 and it hoped around 200 charities will benefit. The Trust is particularly keen to hear from charities that it has not previously funded.

The deadline for submissions is 27 July and an announcement of the successful bids will be made in September.

Julia and Hans Rausing said: “The last few months have proven very difficult for individuals and organisations across the country, and in particular for charities who have seen their regular sources of funding dry up.

“The Charity Survival Fund is designed to provide financial aid for many small and medium sized charities that are facing financial hardship. Their work is needed now more than ever, and we hope this new fund helps bridge the financial gap until usual sources of income return to the sector.”