We have introduced a new grant programme to support our community during the coronavirus crisis.
The COVID-19 Catalyst Grant Programme offers grants from £200 to £8,000 to fund registered charities, local arms of regional or national charities, local churches, schools and social enterprises to help with poverty relief projects in Letchworth during the pandemic. This could include food banks, groups engaged in community aid, food poverty, medication, mental wellbeing, financial advice and social isolation.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has led to a significant change in people's lives and personal circumstances in a short space of time and is likely to continue for several months. It is important that we, as a place-based charitable foundation, work with our community to find ways to support our more vulnerable residents.
At times like this, we need to ensure people's basic needs such as food, shelter, health and friendships are being met. These needs are being achieved in different ways by the voluntary and community-based organisations and groups in Letchworth.
Support for local charities and groups
Over the coming months, groups working in these areas are going to see challenges placed on their resources to support residents. Local groups are best placed to know the challenges being faced in the community. We are here to help and are open to having conversations with any group or organisation working with Letchworth residents. We want to hear your ideas about how a grant from the Foundation would enable your group to achieve its goals in supporting those affected by the impact of COVID -19.
The COVID-19 Catalyst Grant Programme offers grants from £200 to £8,000 to fund registered charities, local arms of regional or national charities, local churches, schools and social enterprises to help with immediate poverty relief projects in Letchworth during the pandemic. This could include food banks, groups engaged in community aid, food poverty, medication, mental wellbeing, financial advice and social isolation.
Supporting resilience during tough times
A second larger strand of funding is for organisations or charities where traditional and planned fundraising income and income generated by services has been lost. For these and larger charities, our initial grant funding will help them to adapt to their current and future needs. These needs will be unique to each organisation and the focus will be on a recovery model where the funding reduces over the period of the grant.
We realise this may not be that easy to predict. However, we would encourage you to have a conversation with us. For larger grants, we would expect an element of matched funding over the course of the grant period.
Your project should be up and running or in the process of being set up and we expect groups to be providing services in Letchworth.
We will continue to honour our existing 2020 grant commitments.
Get in touch
For further information or to ask about the programme call me on 07714 521567 or to apply email Alastair.stewart@letchworth.com and answer the following questions:
• Why your group needs funding?
• What will your group be doing with the funding to meet these needs?
• How much funding does your group require?
• A basic outline of the costs associated with your proposal.
• The period of time you will require funding.
Charities and groups will need proof of a UK based bank account and will need to provide statements for security purposes.
