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<p>The Government has made available an unprecedented £750 million package of support,
specifically for charities, social enterprises and the voluntary sector. This will
ensure charities and other civil society organisations, including those at risk of
financial hardship, can continue their vital work during the Covid-19 outbreak.</p><p>£200
million of this money is being distributed by the National Lottery Community Fund
through the Coronavirus Community Support Fund which is mainly targeting smaller and
local VCSE organisations. Under the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, a total of
518 awards valued at £12.36 million has been allocated to organisations in the West
Midlands, as at 28th August 2020.</p><p>£360 million has been allocated by central
government departments with £200 million of this directly supporting hospices across
the country. From this money, a total of 40 awards to the value of £3.1 million have
been allocated to organisations in the West Midlands, as at 28th August 2020.</p><p>A
further £4.8 million will be distributed to the Voluntary and Community Sector Emergencies
Partnership - a group that comes together to improve national and local coordination
before, during and after emergencies - to help strengthen the voluntary sector’s response
to coronavirus and future emergencies.</p><p>To support the BBC’s 'Big Night In',
the Government matched the generous donations of the public across the country with
grants to the National Emergencies Trust working in Partnership with the UK Community
Foundations (£20million) and to the remaining £17million being shared by Comic Relief
and Children in Need. £1.14 million from the National Emergencies Trust grant was
allocated to the Heart of England Community Foundation. Under the National Emergencies
Trust, Comic Relief and Children in Need grants, a total of 125 awards valued at £723,029
have been made to organisations in the West Midlands as at 28th August 2020.</p><p>The
‘Community Match Challenge’ which is matching funds raised by philanthropists, foundations
and grant making organisations will further support small to medium sized organisations
from across the country working with those who are most vulnerable and have been hardest
hit by the coronavirus outbreak. This Fund closed for bids on 2nd August and the outcome
will be announced shortly.</p><p>In addition to the £750million, a further £150m has
been unlocked from dormant bank and building society accounts which will be directed
to charities, social enterprises and individuals.</p><p>Finally, civil society organisations
and charities can access additional business support measures including the Coronavirus
Job Retention Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and Bounce Back
Loans.</p><p> </p>
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