Press release

Charities encouraged to bid for £15 million Tampon Tax Fund

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

• From: Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and Baroness Barran MBE
• Published: 16 March 2020
• Last updated: 22 May 2020 — See all updates

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

• Thousands of women and girls set to benefit from fund before tampon tax ends
• Organisations supporting women and girls can apply for a share of £15 million
• To date more than £62 million of VAT on sanitary products has gone to good causes

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 wellbeing.

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

Minister for Civil Society Baroness Barran recently visited Castleford Tigers Women’s Rugby League to see the benefits of the Tampon Tax Fund, which awarded £8,073 through the UK Community Foundation.

Their programme, ‘Cats, Tigers, Women and Girls Development Pathway’, runs training sessions for girls and uses the power of sport to improve players’ confidence, develop teamwork and communication skills, and improve health and wellbeing.

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 7 June 2020.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The funding round being announced today is to allocate funds from the financial year 2019/20.

Published 16 March 2020
Last updated 22 May 2020 + show all updates

1. 22 May 2020

   updated to show extension of application deadline to 7th June 2020

2. 16 March 2020

   First published.