Posted on: 21st May 2020

Voluntary organisations working in the criminal justice system with under £500,000 annual income can apply now for grant funding to support their vital work during Covid-19.
The pandemic has had a profound effect on voluntary organisations, the vast majority of which have had to reduce service provision or are adapting their services to deliver vital support to people in the criminal justice system. Clinks is pleased to be distributing £275,000 on behalf of Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the Ministry of Justice in recognition of the continued challenges presented to voluntary organisations at this time. 

Who can apply for the funding?

Clinks want to hear from organisations with an existing relationship with HMPPS with under £500,000 annual income who are delivering or have a track record of delivering, services to support people in prison, through-the-gate and in the community in the context of Covid-19.
Clinks are keen to hear from organisations working across the breadth of the voluntary sector in England and Wales including those delivering specialist services for people with protected characteristics. 
Organisations are also welcome to apply if they have previously offered support to HMPPS through the sector support mobilisation process to adapt their service or deliver more support during the pandemic, whether they have been accepted, declined or are currently being considered.

What will be funded?

Activities and resources which help organisations deliver support to people in the criminal justice system during the crisis. For example, this could be additional equipment or a contribution to a salary. Clinks expect to provide grants of £3,000 - £5,000. No organisation will be granted more than £20,000.
The funding is not for activity already delivered by Community Rehabilitation Companies but can complement them.
You must not already have secured funding from other sources for the same activity.

What to expect

If needed, Clinks will support applicants with their application. Clinks will be the point of contact throughout the programme. They can be contacted on covid19@clinks.org or 02081 442551.
Applications will be considered by a panel of Clinks, HMPPS and a philanthropic funder. Organisations will receive feedback, be told the decision within ten days, and receive payment two weeks later.
Funded organisations must spend the money by 30th November, update their profile on our Directory of Offender Services and submit a short report at the end of the programme.
This programme will stay open until all funding has been allocated, which we anticipate will be within 6 months.
You'll see regular updates on the programme in Light Lunch and on Twitter.

The needs of the sector are significant and the impact of the current crisis on organisations and their beneficiaries will be felt long into the future. The limited amount of funding available means that not everyone will be able to benefit from this programme. Read more about the background to these grants, how Clinks is advocating for the sector and how organisations are responding to Covid-19 in this blog from CEO Anne Fox.

To download the documents you need to click HERE