£50,000 Hackney Council grant for grassroots pandemic response added to London Community Response
Voluntary organisations on the frontline of the response to the coronavirus crisis in Hackney will receive a further funding boost after Hackney Council became the first local authority to back the London Funder’s Community Response with a £50,000 grant for local grassroots organisations delivering services in Hackney.
As part of a £370,000 support package for local charities and community organisations in Hackney already announced, the grant will see Hackney Council administer its repurposed voluntary and community sector (VCS) grants programme through Wave Two of the London Community Response (LCR), which is supporting the grassroots’ response to the coronavirus crisis across the capital.
The £50,000 contribution will see grants of up to £5,000 awarded to small organisations to help with costs around meeting the immediate community needs such as food, essentials, equipment, staffing and more or enabling organisations to deliver services in new ways to support communities, and to ensure that longer-term needs are being considered by the funding community. For example, moving existing services online, purchasing equipment for remote working, meeting increased costs and ensuring that all groups can access services. Mutual aid groups who have been self-coordinating community responses to coronavirus can also apply for funding when they are partnering with an eligible host organisation which would hold the grant.
While decisions about the allocation of Hackney’s £50,000 grant will be taken locally, by aligning this with the London Community Response, the Council is also ensuring that organisations in Hackney have a better chance of being supported by other London Funders.
For more information on deadlines and how to apply, please visit https://hackney.gov.uk/community-grants
I’m proud that Hackney is the first local authority to align with London Funders to support the vital voluntary and community sector during this time of need.
Across the country, voluntary and community organisations are playing a critical role in leading the frontline response to the coronavirus crisis and supporting our communities at this difficult time.
However, the sector is facing significant financial challenges as well as an increased demand for their services, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to ensure that Hackney’s VCS have the support that they both need and deserve.
Alongside our £370,000 support package, we look forward to working with London Funders to support the brilliant hyper-local and grassroots organisations who play a key role in building community resilience during this national emergency.