• Resources and funding programmes in response to coronavirus

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    Funding programmes in response to COVID-19

    Funding is more important than ever for community transport providers as we continue to recover from Covid-19 and restart services. This page contains links to a number of different sources of funding and information. Given the uncertain situation that we are still in, many funders are continuing to adapt their priorities and funding programmes to respond to the emerging needs of communities. Before committing your time and effort to apply to a particular fund, you will need to carefully check the eligibility criteria, funding aims and if there are any deadlines.

    If you apply for any of this funding, or if you know of any sources to add to the list, please do let us know by emailing advice@ctauk.org.

    Remember, you can find all of our guidance for the community transport sector at ctauk.org/covid19-guidance/ and our advice team are here Monday to Friday if you need any additional help or support. 


    Throughout Covid-19, we know of at least £750,000 which has been awarded to community transport groups. We would like to say a huge thank you to all of the funders who have provided this vital support for the sector at such a difficult time. Below are links to some of these funders who are still accepting applications. 

    UK Community Foundations – Since the beginning of the pandemic, Community Foundations have given more than £300,000 of grant funding to support community transport. Community Foundations bring together donations and philanthropic resources and distribute them to good causes in their local communities. Search for the Community Foundation in your area to find out what funding they have available and how to apply. 

    National Lottery Community Fund – The National Lottery Community Fund has a range of funding programmes available in all areas of the UK for grants of all sizes. We know that at least £250,000 has been awarded to support community transport since March. Many of their funding programmes are still focusing on providing support for communities affected by Covid-19 and helping them to recover. 

    Garfield Weston Foundation – The Foundation supports a broad range of charities across the UK that make a positive difference.  Grants vary according to the size of the charity and the work being undertaken. There is an eligibility quiz and further guidelines available on their website. 

    The Clothworkers’ Foundation – Although the Clothworkers’ Foundation Emergency Capital Programme (CECP) which was launched as a result of Covid-19 has now closed, funding is still available through their normal Open Grants Programmes for organisations with an income of up to £1 million. 

    These are just some of the thousands of organisations in the UK who provide support to good causes. It can be difficult to find one which is right for you as every trust, foundation and grant-maker will have their own criteria, priorities and application processes. There are numerous online tools which charge a subscription fee to help you navigate all of these potential funders. Here is a list of ways that you can search for funders for free.   

    Find your local Council for Voluntary Services – In most areas of the UK, there is a Council for Voluntary Services (or equivalent) which will provide advice and support on a wide range of issues to charitable groups. Many of them will have local knowledge of the funding available in your area and will be able to point you in the right direction. Some may also have a dedicated Funding Officer who can help to match you with a particular fund and support you to develop an application. To find your local CVS, you can search for members of NAVCA (England), NICVA (Northern Ireland), SVCO (Scotland) or WCVA (Wales). 

    My Funding Central – Search through thousands of grant funding opportunities - including emergency funds in response to the coronavirus crisis. Free for organisations with an annual income below £30,000. England only. 

    Funds Online – The online funding database from the Directory of Social Change (DSC), will help you discover funding opportunities suited to your organisation’s needs so you can plan ahead for the rest of 2021. With Funds Online you can access 8,000 funders giving over £8bn. 

    GrantTracker (Northern Ireland) – An online funding toolkit for Northern Ireland developed by NICVA. 

    Funding Scotland –  An online funding search engine for Scotland developed by SCVO. 

    Funding Wales – An online funding search engine for Wales developed by WCVA. 

    Charity Excellence Framework – A free online health check tool which includes a database of over 800 funding schemes offering support for Covid-19. 

    Get Grants – A free resource with information on hundreds of grant funders, including what they fund, how much they give, and how to apply. 

    Grants Online – A subscription is required for full access; however, some search information is free to view.