Cost of living support: funding to support charity and community organisations

The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund will focus on those organisations delivering core subsistence-level provision around food, warmth, shelter, safety and associated advice

Charities and community organisations carrying out vital work to help people in need are being invited to apply for a major government support package.

The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund will focus on those organisations delivering core subsistence-level provisions around food, warmth, shelter, safety and associated advice.

The fund will be delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund and will distribute grants to those organisations most impacted by increased demand for their services and increased delivery costs.

Organisations will be able to apply for grants from £10,000 to £75,000. Funding is available for the costs of delivering services between the fund’s launch on July 24 2023 and 31 March 2024, including continuing existing provision, expanding the capacity of services to meet demand or adapting services to respond to new needs in local communities.

To apply your organisation must already run critical services around at least one of the following:

• food and emergency supplies – like food and baby banks or the provision of hot meals, clothes or toiletries
• emergency shelter – like night shelters or other accommodation for people experiencing homelessness
• safe spaces – like domestic abuse services and youth services
• warmth – like warm rooms and spaces
• financial and housing advice – like giving people advice because of the increased cost of living.

Your organisation must also be facing both:

• increased demand for these critical services
• increased costs of delivering these critical services

News of the fund has been welcomed by Rochdale MP, Sir Tony Lloyd, who said: “This is a tough time for households across Rochdale, and community and charity organisations are facing increased demand on the services they provide.

“I welcome this support and I would encourage organisations to apply to ensure that support gets to those who need it most.”

Applications are now open, until midday on 16 October 2023. Decisions will be made on a rolling basis, with successful applicants receiving funding around 12 weeks after they submit an application.

Further details on the eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found here.