Makerble Charity Roundup

Spring is coming! We wanted to share 5 things that happened in the charity sector this week.

1. Lloyds Bank Foundation launches £9.5m unrestricted grant fund with 25% going to BAME charities

Lloyds foundation has launched a £9.5m unrestricted grant fund which is aimed at charities tackling 11 complex issues, including homelessness, trafficking and domestic abuse. The grants awarded will be up to the value of £50,000 and will go to small and local charities who’s income is between £25,000 and £1m. In their commitment to racial equality, at least 25% of funding will be allocated to charities led by and for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities. You can find out more about the grants and how to apply here.

2. Wakefield Street Kitchen and the Ridings Centre launch easter egg campaign for local families

Wakefield Street Kitchen and the Ridings centre have partnered to launch an Easter Egg appeal for local kids and families. The street kitchen is a community based kitchen feeding people who need a hot meal, they also provide a food bank service. Based in Wakefield? You can donate your egg at the Ridings Centre customer services lounge Tues - Fri 9.30am - 4pm.

3. Siblings Sheku & Isata Kanneh-Mason play Rachmaninov for Music Masters

Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason were among stars to perform a free concert in aid of the charity Music Masters. Sheku, who performed at the Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and his sister, Isata, performed Rachmaninov. You can watch it here musicmasters.org.uk

4. Using advanced tech to improve the COVID-19 vaccine

IBM is to work with Moderna to try and used AI (artificial intelligence) to improve COVID-19 vaccine management. They are working to investigate how AI could be used to improve supply chain management and tracking of the vaccine. You can read more about the plans here.

5. Street Doctors win Advice and Guidance Award

UK based charity Street Doctors have won an award for “Advice and Guidance” and been highly commended on their work in Youth Justice at the CYP Now awards. In a tweet, Street Doctors said they were “so thrilled” to have won the award, thanked the panel and the other nominees and winners. Street Doctors empower young people who are impacted by violence to keep themselves and others safe. You can see their acceptance speech (at 40:00 here) and read more about them on their website.