Grants Online – Funding Available to Address the Cost of Living Crisis

Over recent months, the UK has been in what is termed a Cost of Living Crisis. As a consequence,  an increasing number of UK households have been struggling with rising prices for food, fuel and other essential goods.

To alleviate the impact of the cost of living crisis, a number of funders have adapted existing or launched specific grant programmes to support charities and community groups helping those hit particularly hard by the Cost of Living Crisis.

The aim of this update is to provide information and details on the latest support measure available.

Please click HERE for further information.  

Some of the latest grant announcements include:

Julia and Hans Rausing Trust – Food Bank Fund (UK)

In response to the cost of living crisis, the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust have launched a £3.5 million Food Bank Fund. The fund is open to not for profit organisations that are offering a foodbank service with an annual income of between £25,000 – £1 million. The Fund is intended to help food banks meet their immediate financial needs over Winter 2022 and Spring 2023. The fund can cover costs such as rent, utility costs, food and other needed household items purchases, core staffing costs for roles required to deliver the foodbank, volunteer costs, storage and distribution costs. The minimum grant is £500 and the maximum grant cannot normally exceed 20% of an organisation’s annual expenditure. The closing date for applications is 4pm on the 6th December 2022.

National Grid – Energy Support Fund (UK)

The National Grid has launched a £50 million energy support fund to provide support for consumers struggling with rising energy costs over the next two winters. The funding will be awarded to a group of charities providing support for vulnerable households and advice on energy efficiency measures to lower bills long term. It will enable organisations to increase the number of staff giving advice on phonelines, provide fuel vouchers and improve the energy efficiency of households. Among the beneficiaries, Citizens Advice and the Fuel Bank Foundation will receive £10 million each, with National Energy Action receiving £1.5 million. Any remaining funding will be distributed to organisations identified by the National Grid as providing direct help and support to those who need it most.

Severn Trent Water – Community Fund: Core Funding (East Midland, West Midlands, South West England)

In response to the current cost of living crisis, Severn Trent Water is making £150,000 in funding available to cover core costs for charities and community groups finding it hard to maintain their activities during the current economic crisis. Through the Severn Trent Community Fund: Core Funding, grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 are available to help not-for-profit organisations to continue delivering their vital services to communities in the Severn Trent region. The funding can be used to cover essential running expenses which could include management and administration, general office costs (rent and utilities), accountancy and audit, fundraising, communications, and governance/compliance costs. The fund will remain open to applications until all funding has been awarded. Competition for funding is expected to be strong.

Comic Relief – Emergency Cost of Living Appeal (UK)

Comic Relief has launched a cost-of-living appeal in partnership with the Evening Standard and the Independent, to raise urgent funds for people in need this winter. Money raised through the On the Breadline Cost of Living Christmas Appeal will support community organisations working to get help to people across the UK who need it most. This could include supporting foodbanks, and providing help, advice and mental health support, along with warm winter clothes, electric blankets and water bottles, energy top cards, and food vouchers. Comic Relief has donated £1 million to launch the appeal and help organisations tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

The full list of funds available is available below at:

Please feel free to share this information.  We are working hard to keep everyone updated with the latest information and if you are aware of any funding schemes not listed on our page please let us know by email at [email protected]