Much needed support
Foundation Scotland, Scotland’s community foundation, has revealed that the total amount distributed through their dedicated crisis fund now exceeds £5.5 million to date.
This record-breaking level of support from the funder demonstrates the continued demand coming from charities and grassroots groups needing vital funds to tackle some of the most pertinent issues caused by the pandemic. However, the funder is today stressing that the funding stream is still open and continuing to welcome applications to support those most in need.
The foundation’s Response, Recovery and Resilience fund, delivered in partnership with the National Emergencies Trust, has to date supported over 1.1 million people in Scotland.
A total of £4.1 Million in small grants have been distributed to over 1,000 dedicated organisations delivering vital support to some of the most isolated and vulnerable people across the country.
Helen Wray, programme manager at Foundation Scotland (pictured) said: “This unexpected and devastating crisis has affected us all. There are some desperately heart-breaking situations, lives have been turned upside down and there are now even more people experiencing extreme hardship, isolation, loneliness and fear.
"However, we are continually inspired by our ongoing assessment of crisis applications which we continuing to receive. It is evident that communities are coming together to urgently deliver essential and critical services to those most in need at this time.
"We remain open to applications for support where it is needed most. We are however encouraging groups to apply as soon as they can.”
Activities funded range from support for groups working to combat hardship needs through the distribution of food parcels and hot meals, support for the ongoing needs of vulnerable people to ensure their health and wellbeing is maintained through counselling and social-isolation support services and funds for groups to adapt and redesign essential services though training and by embracing new technology.
A further £1.4 Million has been invested in strategic grants to national charities such as Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland, Shelter Scotland and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) to deliver higher level strategic support throughout the pandemic.
Recent figures revealed that since the start of the crisis the Scottish funder has received almost the same number of applications in the last six months as it received in the whole of last financial year.
However, thanks to the support from the National Emergencies Trust the funder is still open to applications for small grants to support those through the continuing crisis.
The Foundation Scotland Response, Recovery & Resilience Fund continues to offer grants of between £1,000-£5,000 to constituted community groups and registered charities.
The fund is currently in its ‘recovery’ phase supporting organisations to plan ahead, to continue their operations in the ‘new normal’, re-establish or re-design their activities to comply with new regulations.
Foundation Scotland is eager to distribute funds quickly to communities in need and is appealing to eligible groups to apply quickly as they respond and recover from the crisis.
For more details, eligibility criteria and to apply online visit https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/
