Mutual Aid Fund

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This fund aims to support groups who are in the process of transitioning and are facing distinct challenges in adapting to a post-COVID environment. Funding will support specific projects/activities aimed at strengthening a group to better respond to the reality post-COVID, such as evolving community needs or a group’s capacity.

Grants of between £1,500 and £5,000 are available.

Applications are accepted from mutual aid groups in the UK that meet two or more of the following criteria:

  • Believe in ‘solidarity not charity’.

  • Are autonomous/independent (ie not affiliated to a larger/national organisation).

  • Are volunteer-led.

  • Operate a flat structure/decision-making process.

  • Do not require eligibility checks (ie no means testing on the community members that are served).

  • Operate absolute financial transparency and accountability.

  • Meet immediate local needs.

  • Practice radical inclusivity.

  • Are committed to fundamental change/ending socioeconomic inequalities.

Successful applicants need to be willing to share learnings with other mutual aid groups.

Funding is for projects and activities that meet all the following criteria: 

  • Clearly helps a group adapt post-COVID.

  • Demonstrates a key contribution to a group’s sustainability.

  • Be completed within nine months.

Examples of eligible projects include: 

  • Upskilling group members, such as in their technological capacity.

  • Piloting a programme that would help secure more sustainable sources of funding.

  • Creating the capacity to design and implement a strategy/programme that would contribute to the sustainability of the group, including paying an existing group member or hiring a consultant.

  • Buying equipment necessary for the sustainability of the group, such as fridges for a food bank.

Groups will have nine months from the beginning of September 2022 to implement activities. 

Key dates:

  • Confirmation of successful applicants - beginning of August.

  • Disbursing of grants - beginning of September.

  • Groups will then get nine months to implement their activities.

  • Final learning convening is planned for 16 June 2023.

The funders hope for this to be the first of multiple rounds of funding, so applicants who are not successful this time, might be considered for future opportunities.

Guidance notes and an online application form are available on the Social Change Agency website - Mutual Aid Funding - Apply for grants (thesocialchangeagency.org)