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Some initial thoughts on the @RishiSunak announcement for funding to civil society... https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-sets-out-extra-750-million-coronavirus-funding-for-frontline-charities
£360m direct to charities "providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the crisis" & £370m to small & med charities "supporting local communities".
1. Focus seems to be on those grps able to respond to COVID. Fine... but lots of charities will not get a penny.
1. Focus seems to be on those grps able to respond to COVID. Fine... but lots of charities will not get a penny.
2. The £360m will go to Gov selected causes linked to COVID (hospices, St Johns, victims & children charities, advice charities) . Many Gov depts. stopped large grants years ago so capacity Q on how this will be managed & how to ensure that this makes a big difference.
I bet smaller number of larger grants. Lots of charities which reach minority groups or people with specific issues & vulnerabilities which are not on Gov radar or "in the right rooms" will unlikely be reached. Yet, their service demand will be high and their other income down.
3. The £370m for small and medium-sized charities through a grant from the @TNLComFund sounds like a lot. Except... Last year in 2018/19 @TNLComFund awarded over £500 million. So, less than ONE funder will give in one year when the sector is facing HUGE drop from most sources.
If you are a small charity but not directly able/appropriate to offer COVID response you may not get a penny from this fund. In contrast, the Gov is giving grants to *any* small businesses of £10,000 through local authorities with little or no queries. Yet, both seen income drop.
4. Gov will match donations up to £20m to the @NatEmergTrust as part of the @BBC’s Big Night In.
Like not claiming VAT on charity records ( https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-donates-vat-from-nhs-choirs-christmas-number-one) or @DFID_UK Aid Match, this is as much about Gov PR & visibility than effective giving strategy.
Like not claiming VAT on charity records ( https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-donates-vat-from-nhs-choirs-christmas-number-one) or @DFID_UK Aid Match, this is as much about Gov PR & visibility than effective giving strategy.
I think visibility of Government support for charities is often good idea; taxation for this use should be promoted & fair credit where due *but* if you think the @NatEmergTrust is doing a good job & needs £20m to meet needs: just give it to them!
5. Huge swaths of charity sector probs wont be supported by today's announcements. Be surprised if there is anything for... culture & arts... international dev... animal welfare... heritage... village halls... environment... little for law & advocacy.
https://data.ncvo.org.uk/profile/activities/
https://data.ncvo.org.uk/profile/activities/
Yet, @karlwilding told the @CommonsDCMS that the sector will lose £4billion in funding over coming months. The funding on offer does not seem to help large numbers of charities whose income is plummeting. Huge challenges remain. https://twitter.com/CommonsDCMS/status/1245009334293184512
6. 
This is niche but super important
Not obvious anything here today will help the 'infrastructure' bodies which help charities deliver & improve. More funding for supporting Volunteer Managers as they reach new groups would have been a very wise investment.
This is niche but super importantNot obvious anything here today will help the 'infrastructure' bodies which help charities deliver & improve. More funding for supporting Volunteer Managers as they reach new groups would have been a very wise investment.
