Racial Equity Programme

The Racial Equity Programme is a comprehensive funding initiative designed to support small local charities and Community Interest Companies (CICs) that are led by and working with people who are experiencing economic inequity because of their race or ethnicity. People from racially minoritised communities are 2.5 times more likely to be in poverty than white people. This programme addresses this disparity by providing unrestricted funding combined with tailored development support. The programme is specifically aimed at registered charities and CICs that are led by the communities they serve and work with people over the long term to help them break free from poverty and achieve their potential. Organizations must be directly delivering services that help people from racially minoritised communities experiencing significant economic disadvantage. The programme recognizes that small, local and specialist organisations play a unique role in helping people rebuild their lives due to their size and deep understanding of the complex issues people face. Awards consist of £75,000 over three years (£25,000 per year) in unrestricted funding, meaning grants can be used to support any costs that further the organisation's social purpose. In addition to financial support, the programme combines funding with a breadth of tailored development support aimed at helping strengthen charities and build the knowledge, skills and capabilities of staff and trustees. This programme is for charities that prioritize their development and want to ensure they can thrive beyond the lifetime of the funding. The Foundation believes in supporting organizations to build long-term sustainability and organizational resilience through comprehensive development support alongside financial resources.