Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has launched the CAF Coronavirus Emergency Fund.

The fund aims to help smaller charitable organisations in the UK affected by the impact of COVID-19. Grants of up to £10,000 are available.

This is intended as a rapid response fund, and CAF aims to make payments within 14 days of application. As they anticipate high numbers of applicants, it is unlikely that all eligible applicants will be awarded grants.

The fund is open to organisations with a charitable purpose and charitable activities, which had an income of £1 million or less in their last financial year. This includes:

registered UK charities
organisations registered with Companies House or the Public Mutuals Register, as a charitable or not-for-profit entity, such as Community Interest Companies (CICs), Companies Limited by Guarantee and others
unregistered entities and social enterprises

Organisations can apply for up to £10,000 to support day to day activities in the current situation, or for their COVID-19 emergency response activities, including unrestricted funding for core costs, staffing, volunteer costs, supplies and equipment, communications or other critical charitable areas. Applicants must be able to describe how an emergency grant will improve the situation for their organisation and community.

Only one grant is possible for any organisation.

For further information, including full eligibility criteria and how to apply, please visit the CAF website.