COVID-19 Response Funding

We are updating this guidance to support organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic – this page is a work in progress and is reviewed regularly. 

As local restrictions and guidance is changing, many charities and community groups are starting to think about how they continue their services to provide help and support to those in need across County Durham through the new normal. 

It is our aim to support organisations with funding advice throughout this crisis and we will be working hard to ensure we promote all funding opportunities as they arise through our website, news bulletins and through the continued operation of our dedicated Information, Advice and Guidance service offer. 

Resilience and Sustainability Funding Guide (updated 18/01/21)

We have produced this guide to provide you with a short introduction to resilience and sustainability funds; helping you to choose which funds best meet your needs and the needs of those you are supporting.

We will endeavour to keep the information in this guide as accurate as possible and respond to updates from funders as quickly as possible. 

You can also download a COVID-19 Emergency Funding Update from Durham County Council - download the latest list here (updated 18/01/21)

Loan Funding 

The Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund, offered by Social Investment Business, has been expanded and improved to make more loans to charities and social enterprises affected by the coronavirus pandemic. It offers a maximum loan amount of £1.5 million (minimum £100k), interest free and fee free for the first 12 months, loans available up to a maximum of 5 years and is faster than applying for a standard loan. 

For full details click here

Funding Searches

You can also access funding searches to look for available grants:

Durham4Community

Durham County Council manage a funding portal called Durham4Community for community groups which you can sign up to for free. It allows you to search for funding schemes available to your group, apply for funding and get advice on producing your funding application. 

Contingency Planning and Financial Implications

NCVO have made freely available information on what you need to do to manage the potential impacts of coronavirus on your charity's or voluntary organisation's operations and finances, including information on what to expect from funders.

Visit the NCVO website here 

Good Finance Funding and Investment Guidance 

Good Finance have a wide range of information on grants and social investment funds and updates and articles supporting charities and social enterprises with financial resilience. 

Visit the Good Finance website here 

How we can support you

It is our aim to support organisations with funding advice throughout this crisis and we will be working hard to ensure we promote all funding opportunities as they arise through our website, news bulletins and through the continued operation of our dedicated Information, Advice and Guidance service offer.

If you have any queries or require any support with funding applications, please do not hesitate to get in touch by email and your enquiry will be directed to a member of our Community Support Team.

Please check our social media pages for the most up to date information on funding opportunities or sign up to receive our e-bulletins here