Power to Change has launched the Community Business Renewal Initiative, in response to the COVID-19 crisis and this £3million Community Business Renewal Fund is part of this support package for the community business sector.

What is the Community Business Renewal Fund? The Community Business Renewal Fund provides grants to community businesses in England affected by the Covid-19 crisis to adapt, renew and rebuild their business so they can remain financially viable. The fund is aimed at organisations delivering services in their local community to support those who have been most affected by the Covid-19 crisis.

What can you apply for?

An unrestricted grant between £10,000 and £20,000 to to support your organisation to adapt and evolve to the changing circumstances, by providing an unrestricted grant that could be used to cover core staffing costs, contribute to meeting capital costs of adapting your community business and ensuring that your community business can continue to provide the vital support to local people.

The main priority support areas for the fund include: areas of England facing high levels of deprivation, organisations supporting and led by disabled people and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME)-led or BAME-supporting businesses.

How can I apply? The Community Business Renewal Fund will have three application rounds. Each round will have a short application window of 3 hours as we expect a high level of demand.

• Round One – Tuesday 3 November 2020, 10am-1pm

• Round Two – Tuesday 12 January 2021, 10am-1pm

• Round Three – Tuesday 2 March 2021, 10am-1pm

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Where can I find out more? You can find out more, including whether you are eligible to apply to the Community Business Renewal Fund by reading our guidance notes.