Resilience funds launched in Leeds and Bradford
Leeds Community Foundation and Give Bradford have launched two new funds to support charities and community groups across both cities that are experiencing exceptional difficulties due to the Covid-19 situation.
The funds will support organisations facing challenges around supporting isolated and vulnerable people across the districts, by offering urgent financial support to cover core costs, volunteer expenses, staff costs and transport – ensuring the vital work continues.
Both organisations are seeking both corporate and individual philanthropists to help fund the new schemes which will help isolated, and fragile communities during this crisis and community projects continue to be able to support local people for years to come.
Kate Hainsworth, CEO of GiveBradford and Leeds Community Foundation said: “We believe the community knows best how to serve their communities. Now more than ever, we need these groups to be resourced to support the vulnerable, the sick and the lonely of Bradford and Leeds during this national emergency – and beyond, when we all start to rebuild our lives.
“We want to help community organisations immediately and effectively, so will be distributing grants in the coming weeks to organisations already known to us and where we have carried out due diligence, meaning grants can be made as quickly as possible. We will be aiming to open a second round of funding in the coming months when more money is raised so we can put out an open call for applications from the wider sector.
“We know that community groups rely on their trading income from cafes, shops and from fundraising events – all necessarily stopped by public health measures. Others depend on volunteers currently self-isolating. Until robust plans come forward on how to support these vital organisations, they need to be confident they have the running costs in place to continue to operate so they are able to support our most vulnerable in the months to come”.
