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Comic Relief Grants

By: Kevin Watson MSc - Updated: 28 Jan 2020 | comments*Discuss
 
Comic Relief Change Projects

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.

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hi, i am the trustee of a brand new, small mental health charity, located in the north west of England. Our aim is to educate teaching staff, parents, carers, children and young people in mental health. we strongly believe that mental health should be taught within schools, in order to reduce negative stigma's in the hope of normalising talking about mental health. we have produced a number of materials, including 4 children's story books, that tackle mental health in a very simplistic way, whilst not mentioning mental health directly. there are a total of 7 trustees, including myself, and I have personally dedicated all of my time to building the charity from the ground up, with no financial help. any advice/information about receiving grants/donations, would be very welcomed. thank you
The Lotus Mental Hea - 9-Jul-18 @ 3:21 PM
Lil - Your Question:
Hi I'm currently in a women's refuge due to move to my own flat within the next few weeks. I was wondering if I could apply for traveling expenses as I am traveling from one end of the country to the other. I have my own car and would like to be considered for a grant of £120 to enable me to move into my new home. Thank you

Our Response:
We don't give out grants directly. If you feel you might be eligible for a grant you may have to approach an organisation that works with comic relief etc. Try the Grants search tool
GrantsExpert - 4-Jul-17 @ 12:55 PM
Hi I'm currently in a women's refuge due to move to my own flat within the next few weeks. I was wondering if I could apply for traveling expenses as I am traveling from one end of the country to the other. I have my own car and would like to be considered for a grant of £120 to enable me to move into my new home. Thank you
Lil - 3-Jul-17 @ 9:40 PM
Jane - Your Question:
I got mental health and depression also anxiety I am looking for help of grand to get washing machine and pay off some debt I own of £180 from catalogue and £908 from credit union that I wish I never had a loan is not good for my health is just I don't think and after I get depression and stress and then my washing machine is very old is sound very funny the door of washing machine don't shut tidy is just telling me I need new one whoops can be very expensive to buy I'm on benefit and do not work.

Our Response:
The easiest thing to do would be to ask at your local Citizens' Advice, they often have details of local organisations that help people out with things like second hand white goods and repairs etc.
GrantsExpert - 13-Jun-17 @ 12:30 PM
I got mental health and depression also anxiety I am looking for help of grand to get washing machine and pay off some debt I own of £180 from catalogue and £908 from credit union that I wish I never had a loan is not good for my health is just i don't think and after I get depression and stress and then my washing machine is very old is sound very funny the door of washing machine don't shut tidy is just telling me I need new one whoops can be very expensive to buy I'm on benefit and do not work.
Jane - 10-Jun-17 @ 7:37 PM
Can you advise, my business partner and I are in the process of starting our business which will be of huge benefit across North Wales. We are passionate as qualified social workers, of working towards positive outcomes for the families we work will. We are in the process of opening a Family Assessment Centre and would like to know if we are able to qualify for any grants available to us in developing this project further. We have purchased a property and are in the process of renovating it much of it self funded. However the play area for the children is where we would like to be able to have some support in obtaining any grants available please
Kaks - 30-Apr-17 @ 9:01 PM
As a survivor of childhood crime I need financial help, due to the crime being before 1979 I am forbidden to claim compensation. Would you give me help, please
Christin - 12-Mar-17 @ 10:07 PM
Comic relief gave Wandsworth old people forum money why are they helping out a local council set up sheltered housing residents association when they can get money from the local council themselves surely money should be better spent than helping out a local council who have some of the highest paid directors in the public sector
softlad - 11-Oct-13 @ 2:54 PM
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