The move will enable more charities to apply for financial support

Foundation Scotland has removed the income cap for applicants to its crisis fund, allowing more charities to seek emergency financial help during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The community foundation launched its Response, Recovery and Resilience Fund in March, just as the virus hit the country, with an income cap of £250,000 per annum.

This barrier has now been removed to ensure funding is available where it is most needed.

The fund, developed in partnership with the National Emergencies Trust, has so far distributed £3.5 million to almost 900 good causes in communities across Scotland.

Foundation Scotland is now keen to hear from organisations delivering services in five key areas identified as in need of support.

These include services for victims of domestic abuse; people with poor or worsening mental health; people experiencing bereavement; people excluded from support through language or digital barriers; and those who have no recourse to public funds.

Helen Wray, programme manager, said: "By opening up the application criteria to a wider number of charitable organisations we know we can reach even more projects offering vital support in these areas. We couldn't do any of this without our funding partner the National Emergencies Trust, who have supported more than 10,000 UK-wide by working closely with community foundations like ours across the country."

The fund offers grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 to community groups and small registered charities. It is currently in its recovery phase, supporting organisations to plan ahead, to continue their operations in the ‘new normal’, or to redesign their activities to comply with new regulations.

Charities and community groups in need of funding are invited to apply for support via the Foundation Scotland website.