Community Foundation launches ‘Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund’

The Community Foundation has this week (March 18) launched a Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund to help local charities and community organisations who are supporting the most vulnerable people during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Foundation has put in £200,000 to kick-start the fund and is now asking the public, businesses and other funders to contribute, with plans for the first wave of grants to be made by the end of the month.

The charity is hoping donations will double this initial amount allowing as many groups as possible to get support across the North East.

Funding will initially be awarded to organisations providing services and support to older and more vulnerable people, as well as those with low and insecure incomes i.e those on universal credit or working in the gig economy.

Funding will also support school-age children in less well-off parts of the region where schools have closed.

Rob Williamson, chief executive of the Community Foundation, said: “For over 30 years we have been helping brilliant small, local charities and community organisations across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland through the generosity of our region’s donors.

“With the coronavirus outbreak, many people and businesses want to know what more they can do to help.

“With this fund, we’ll use our knowledge to reach the organisations helping vulnerable people on the ground.

“And we’ll support charitable groups recover from the impact of the outbreak on their own work and income. We hope people come on board with us to help build the funds available.

“If anyone wants to contribute, I encourage them to get in touch with us, or give via the JustGiving page for the Fund.”