This fund is now closed. Please sign up to our monthly grants ebulletin (opens in a new window) to stay up to date with our grants that are currently open.
Phase 2
We are delighted to announce Phase 2 of the Pathways to Economic Opportunities Programme (P2E). This programme has been established by The London Community Foundation (LCF), with support from JPMorgan Chase, to invest in Black and Minoritised community led ‘by and for’ organisations providing specialist employment, enterprise and financial health (EEFH) services. P2E will be delivered in partnership with Action for Race Equality (ARE) (previously the Black Training and Enterprise Group) and The Ubele Initiative (Ubele). You can find out more about the P2E Programme and Phase 1 funding by clicking on the link to the website here.
The Fund will award grants of up to £100,000 over two years to registered charities, voluntary or community groups, and other not-for-profit organisations that have been in operation for at least three years. The funds can be used for project costs, core costs or a mix of both (full cost recovery). There is no upper limit of core vs project costs, but we will assess whether your proposal meets the priorities of the programme.
Collaboration and engagement with grantees
Organisational development
We recognise and value the insights and experience of Black and Minoritised-led sector leaders. From October to December 2021, Phase 1 grantees partnered with ARE to help co-design a programme of funding and organisational development support for a wider cohort of Black and Minoritised community led organisations operating in the EEFH support space.
The organisational development support is a collaborative and participatory approach, core to the programme design. It aims to provide a package of support that best fits with the specific needs and the diverse learning styles of funded organisations.
Activities will specifically focus on areas of need identified in Phase 1 and data captured as part of the application and organisational development process for Phase 2.
You can find out more about the co-design sessions by clicking on the link to our blog post here.
What can the fund support?
Your organisation must meet our core eligibility criteria, plus the criteria below to be eligible for grant funding.
Themes
The London Community Foundation will be awarding £1.5m to Black and Minoritised community led organisations working in London to deliver projects/activities that support individuals to build confidence, overcome barriers and realise their potential through at least one or more of the following themes:
- Employability: People seeking jobs or job progression. Support could include: skills development/training, access to jobs, re-upskilling, job-readiness, preparing for, moving into and / or sustaining employment
- Enterprise: Self-employed ( sole traders) or owners of micro-businesses seeking to sustain or grow their business. Support could include: entrepreneurship and micro/small business skills training, access to workspace, mentoring and resources, facilitating access to finance
- Financial Health: People managing money on low incomes. Support could include: tailored and expert information, advice and guidance, income maximisation, household budgeting/savings and debt management, and financial coaching towards financial goals.
Priorities
Priority will be given to community organisations that fulfil the eligibility criteria listed on this page and who also demonstrate the following:
- A track record of meeting the increased/diverse needs of service-users and delivering EEFH services led ‘by and for’ Black and Minoritised communities
- Are embedded and well connected within the community and deliver services that are already making a real impact in the borough, with a good understanding of the needs of individuals in relation to EEFH support
- Delivering holistic and person-centred support locally to adults on low income, or disadvantaged communities in one or more theme areas of EEFH
Income threshold
Whilst we welcome applications from organisations of all income levels, those with an annual income of between £50,000 to £650,000 will be prioritised. Organisations can apply for up to 50% of their annual income towards their project/activity. For example, if your income for the last financial year was £60,000, you can apply for a maximum of £30,000 per year, or £60,000 for the two years.
Location
Based on early insights into changing market/evidence base for place-based support, priority will be given to organisations based in the following London boroughs:
- Barking & Dagenham
- Brent
- Croydon
- Hounslow
- Newham
- Tower Hamlets
- Waltham Forest
Whilst activities will be prioritised in the above boroughs, consideration may be given to work with organisations who are not based in a priority boroughs by assessing need and opportunity. Priority will also be given to organisations reaching Black and Minoritised communities in areas that are considered the most deprived, with high unemployment (more on this here - link opens in new window).
Size of Grant
The Fund will provide two years of grant funding between £50,000 to £100,000 (25,000 to £50,000) per year from the £1.5m available funds.
Additional Criteria
The fund is targeting organisations working with adults (18+ years). If you are working with a mixed group, any activity you are applying for should be for young adults and adults aged 18-65 years.
Deadline
This fund is now closed. Please sign up to our monthly grants ebulletin (opens in a new window) to stay up to date with our grants that are currently open.
Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications in May 2022. Successful applicants will be expected to begin on 1st June 2022. Notification will be sent by email to the organisation/nurture organisation contact.
Contact details
Please do not hesitate to contact The London Community Foundation’s Grants & Impact Team if you would like to discuss your application.
Application queries: applications@londoncf.org.uk
Or prefer to talk on the phone: 020 7582 5117
Last updated 11 April 2022