Charities encouraged to bid for £15 million Tampon Tax Fund

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ORGANISATIONS supporting women and girls are invited to apply for a share of £15 million from the Tampon Tax Fund.

Charities across the nation can apply for grants to fund projects which directly benefit disadvantaged women and girls, tackle violence and support their mental health and well-being.

As in previous years, larger charities and foundations will be able to apply for grants of £1 million or more.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport expects these to then be distributed through their networks to support women and girls and to organisations that offer small and medium- sized onward grants.

In addition this year, applicants are able to use part of their grant funding to improve organisational sustainability.

The Tampon Tax Fund comes entirely from VAT receipts on women’s sanitary products.

While the UK was a member of the European Union, VAT on these products could not fall below 5 per cent.

However the Chancellor has now confirmed that this tax will end in January 2021, following Britain’s withdrawal from the EU.

Minister for Civil Society, Baroness Barran, said: “I am delighted that over the life of the Tampon Tax Fund we have been able to provide £62 million worth of grants to more than 70 charities working to help disadvantaged women and girls.

“I urge charities to bid for this funding that will not only continue to support women most in need but help organisations to become more sustainable so they can plan for the future.”

Organisations must be able to deliver impact in their chosen category across multiple regions in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Applications are welcomed from individual organisations, or groups with an identified lead organisation.

Grants may be for one or two-year projects, and all activities must be concluded and funds spent by 30 June 2022.

Charities can find out more information here

The deadline for applications is 31 May 2020.