Comic Relief Grants

Comic Relief’s strategy is to help the poor and those with few or no opportunities. The money that Comic Relief and its supporters raise goes towards UK and international projects that enable people to change their lives.

UK

Comic Relief currently has a three-year programme running from 2009 to 2012. In the UK, this programme has a number of aspects. These include domestic and sexual abuse; mental health; sport for change; refugee and asylum-seeking women; older people; local communities; and young people aged 11 – 25.

Grants for young people have further sub-divisions. Among these are young people with alcohol-related problems; young people with mental health problems; and young people suffering from trafficking or sexual exploitation.

Grant-Making Models

Within the different parts that make up Comic Relief’s UK programme, there are four grant-making models:

• Devolved grant making. This gives money to small projects at a local level.
• Investment grants. These work at national and regional levels. Such grants often go to established organisations to help them develop new ideas.
• Project grants. These are usually for bodies that work in the community and with individuals. Such organisations must aim to create positive changes to lives.
• Special initiative grants. These try to change the system that leads to unfairness and poverty. Such grants are not open to applications. Comic Relief invites organisations to join a particular campaign.

Key Principles

Behind these grants are a number of key principles. These principles govern the work of Comic Relief. They also sum up what Comic Relief expects from organisations that apply for a grant. A grant application should therefore take account of the following:

1. The context of an organisation’s work. An organisation must show it understands the problems it is confronting.
2. Consulting with everyone involved in a project, including the people who gain from it.
3. Using good practice to ensure that projects are as successful as possible.
4. Participation by those who benefit from a project.
5. Showing commitment to diversity in every aspect of a project.
6. Working with other groups to make sure any change that a project brings about lasts.
7. Evaluation and learning. An organisation must show how it intends to evaluate a project, learn from it, and spread this learning.

International

Comic Relief’s international grants cover many countries, but in particular Africa. The programme follows certain key areas: women and girls; slum-dwellers; people suffering from conflict; street children, working children and young people; HIV and AIDS; and trade. Other grant areas under development are small organisations, and sport for change.

Comic Relief’s international grant-making models are similar to those of its UK scheme. There is one addition, however: social investment. This relates to funding that generates social and financial returns.

The international grant-making principles are also similar to those for the UK. But there are differences that emphasise learning from projects, and creating effective local organisations.

Africa

Organisations with projects in mind for Africa should study Comic Relief’s vision. The charity has a lot of experience of poverty on the continent. An organisation wishing to apply for a grant must ensure its project meets Comic Relief’s aims.