Local charities and grassroots organisations that are responding to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic can apply for grants of up to £5,000
Small charities are leading the effort to support communities throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
From providing vital food supplies to the vulnerable to producing and sourcing vital equipment for key workers, there have been organisations across the country providing a lifeline for people in their local areas.
However the vital work comes at a cost, with many smaller organisations launching urgent appeals for funding to ensure they can continue their support.
The Response, Recovery and Resilience Fund is aimed at helping these organisations through what are unprecedented times. The primary focus of the fund is to support groups that are adapting to local needs such as projects reaching vulnerable people that are self-isolating, vital help for foodbanks, aid for community response co-ordination, the purchase of safety equipment for caring groups and funds for those supporting health and wellbeing needs with Covid-19.
The support is being delivered across the country by Foundation Scotland. The funder is one of those working in partnership with the National Emergencies Trust, a UK-wide fundraising appeal which is distributing money through a network of community foundations.
It has designed a quick and simple online application form where eligible groups can apply for grants between £1,000 and £5,000. The aim is to have grants to organisations within 72 hours of an application being made.
Details on applying
- The new fund provides immediate funding to support constituted community groups and charities that are responding to the coronavirus pandemic in their local community.
- Vital support for those that are supporting some of Scotland’s most affected and vulnerable people.
- Organisations with an annual income of less than £125,000 are eligible to apply.
- Emergency funding of between £1,000-£5,000 available.
- Swift turnaround for successful applications (72 hours from submitting application to receiving funds in the bank).
- Successful applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by email.
The funding is aimed at smaller charities and community projects, and has been adapted to focus on supporting organisations with an income of less than £125,000 a year.
Helen Wray, head of programmes at Foundation Scotland, said: “At Foundation Scotland we are always eager to support very local charities and community groups for whom our grants make the biggest impact.
“The Response, Recovery and Resilience Fund was one of the very first Covid-19 support funds to open and we have so far distributed over £1.3 million in total.
“However, in order to ensure we have enough funds to continue to meet these needs and taking into consideration other funding is now available we have updated our eligibility criteria and as of today, only organisations with an income of less than £125,000 will be eligible to apply. We look forward to receiving many more applications from groups in need.”
Hundreds of organisations across Scotland have already received more than £1m in grants, with more than £11m donated to the National Emergencies Trust appeal in the first week that it was launched.
Community comes together during crisis
Govan Youth Information Project (GYIP) applied to the fund for £1,000 to help support the organisation to create an emergency food service. This service runs five days a week providing food, in the form of packed lunches, to young people in the community as part of a coordinated food initiative to ensure those who would normally receive food through school provision do not go without.
The project has teamed up with Govan Housing Association and The Salvation Army to provide food. The Salvation Army has a food truck serving hot food and GYIP distribute packed lunches from its minibus. Govan Housing arranges delivery of packed lunches to some families who contacted a head teacher at a local primary school.
Launched in March, GYIP is now in its fifth week of providing 100 lunches per day to vulnerable young people of Govan and receiving funding quickly was a key part of the project getting up and running.
The fund was launched at the end of March, before the impact that the pandemic would have on communities was known, as it was recognised that rapid response would be key to offering groups support.
Foundation Scotland introduced a team of freelance assessors to ensure a speedy and efficient turn around for vital funding, with terms and conditions built into the applications process and faster banking transfers arranged. Funders such as Foundation Scotland, Corra Foundation, The Robertson Trust and William Grant & Sons Foundation have been working together – alongside voluntary sector representatives – and the Scottish Government to ensure funds are directed where they are most needed and avoid unnecessary duplication.
Further information and the applications process can be found on the Foundation Scotland website.
You can donate to the National Emergencies Trust Coronavirus Appeal here.
