NHS Blood and Transport has funding available for organisations and groups who can promote organ donation in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. There are two strands of funding: up to £2,499, and £2,500-10,000.

There is currently a shortage of organ donors from BAME backgrounds; 35% of patients in need of a kidney transplant are BAME, and one in five people who died waiting on the transplant list for organs in 2017/18 was from a BAME community. People from black and Asian backgrounds are more likely to develop diabetes, high blood pressure and some types of hepatitis, which in turn means they are more likely to need a transplant.

However, the law on organ donation is changing, and those who do not want to donate their organs will need to opt out; the current system is opt-in, and people must formally decide to join the organ donor register. 

Funders would particularly like to hear from projects that will raise awareness in young BAME people, as awareness is particularly low in younger age groups, but anyone over 18 will be affected. The last round of applications also had fewer projects targeting black African or Caribbean communities than other BAME groups, so funders particularly welcome these projects to redress the balance.

Examples of previously funded projects include:

• Awareness events in the community - standalone events, and also activities as part of existing events, such as Melas.
• Engagement activities with Imams and Muslim scholars to raise awareness of organ donation in Muslim communities and discuss the Islamic perspective.
• Organ donation content for part of an app aimed at Muslim smartphone and tablet users.

Projects can be delivered face-to-face or online. You can also use existing resources from NHS Blood and Transport (such as videos in different languages) in your project delivery.

Registered charities, limited companies, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest companies, or unincorporated groups are all eligible for this funding, but must have a registered bank account. Funders welcome applications from partnerships; please mention any partner organisations in your application.

Click here for more details, guidance documents, and to apply. Please email any questions to community.funding@nhsbt.nhs.uk.