Yorkshire charities have received nearly £6m of Covid-19 relief grants, analysis shows

According to the 360Giving Covid-19 Grants Tracker, over £123 million (11,632 grants) in emergency Covid-19 grants has been awarded to over 9,000 recipients across the UK.

The Yorkshire region had the fifth highest number of grants awarded in the UK at 907, but was seventh in the amount given, at £5,986,858.

Some £1,278,560 of this was awarded to 181 charities in Leeds, the region’s largest local authority area.

But with the looming threat of tougher restrictions, charities are warning that they may not be able to meet demand for their services as finances dwindle.

While the 360Giving Covid-19 Grants Tracker is not an exhaustive list of all grants charities have received during the pandemic, the data provides a snapshot of how charities have survived the lockdown period.

David Kane, Product Lead at 360Giving, explained, “We know it doesn’t show the full picture – not all local grantmakers have published data about their grants – but it does show the range of projects and charities that continue to help keep their local communities going.”

The multi-million pound grants from the likes of The National Lottery Community Fund and BBC Children in Need have provided essential economic support during the lockdown but as

Matt Whittaker, CEO of Pro Bono Economics says, the future looks challenging.

“The combination of economic recession, rising unemployment and the looming tightening of lockdown adds up to a gloomy backdrop for the sector in the run up to Christmas.”

Pro Bono Economics estimates 60,000 charity jobs will be lost by the end of the year with the largest cuts affecting frontline service delivery and fundraising teams.

According to the Charity Sector Tracker published by Pro Bono Economics, in partnership with the Institute of Fundraising and the Charity Finance Group, one in three charities also say they will be unable to meet the anticipated increase in demand as further restrictions are announced.

Charities and other civil society organisations play a vital role in the day-to-day lives of many millions of us – and even more so at times of crisis.

As the Chancellor reconsiders his support for businesses in light of the second wave, it’s crucial that he focuses also on the needs of those charities which do so much to help.”

A UK Government spokesperson said charities will continue to benefit from financial support schemes in the upcoming months.

“We are providing at pace an unprecedented multi-billion-pound package of government support for charities. We are working flat out to ensure help reaches those who need it most, with funding being distributed at pace.

"Charities will continue to benefit from this major investment in the sector and also the wider government financial support schemes in the coming months.”