County Council donates £100k to Devon Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund

Devon County Council has contributed £100,000 to the Devon Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund after an emergency appeal was launched by the Devon Community Foundation.

The Devon Community Foundation is an organisation that helps distribute funds to charitable and voluntary groups in the county to provide them with sustainable support and enables them to create change in their communities.

They set up the fund to help local charities and community organisations that are supporting the most vulnerable people affected by the outbreak of coronavirus.

The money donated by the council will help the foundation to provide support to these groups in two phases: response, then recovery.

The first will give vital, additional funding to organisations helping the most vulnerable members of their communities with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus outbreak; initially focussing on supporting charities specifically helping the vulnerable, who have been most affected by isolation. This could include the delivery of essential goods, maintaining the wellbeing of those self-isolating or additional mental health and bereavement support, as well as safe assistance with practical concerns like cooking.

The second stage will help a wider range of charitable groups whose operations have been affected by the virus outbreak, supporting them to recover and continue their work once the spread of the virus eases.

The fund provides a focus for charitable trusts, companies, other organisations and individuals wishing to work together to support communities in Devon and includes contributions from The National Emergencies Trust national appeal, funds raised by Devon Community Foundation and donations from members of the public.

Grants will be considered by the foundation on an individual basis and the amount will vary depending on the needs of the organisation.

There is no maximum grant available but in order to help as many organisations as possible, groups are requested to apply only for the funds that will keep them active for the next six to eight weeks.

This donation is in addition to the Council’s own COVID-19 Prompt Action Fund which offers small grants of up to £500 and larger grants of up to £5,000 to support local organisations helping to tackle the effects of coronavirus in their communities.

John Hart, Leader of Devon County Council, said: “We are working incredibly hard to support our communities in Devon and care for those that are most vulnerable.

“We are delighted to be supporting the Devon Community Foundation’s Devon Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund. It will undoubtedly raise vital funds to help support charities and community groups to continue the excellent work they are doing to tackle the impacts of the coronavirus.

“By contributing to funds such as this, as well as opening our own funding streams, we hope to reach a greater number of charitable organisations across the county to help support them over this critical time.

“Now more than ever, we have to work closely with partner organisations to ensure that communities can continue to support their most vulnerable residents and remain well-connected and resilient.”

Martha Wilkinson, CEO of Devon Community Foundation, said: “We are so delighted to be able to work hand in glove with Devon County Council to support local, essential groups across Devon.

“We are staggered by how generous spirited both volunteers and donors are during these very difficult times and Devon County Council really got our fund off to a flying start.

“Over the last week we have been able to support 44 groups with funding totalling over £130,000 and have received £309,740 from other donors passionately wishing to support out local communities. Thank you to everyone.”