The Covid-19 outbreak is and will continue tonhave a major impact on our communities, the individuals within them and thengroups that support them. County Durham Community Foundation’s number one priority for the next three months is to ensure we’renbeing as supportive and flexible as possible and that includes being open tonadapting to new and different circumstances.
This is a situation without precedent, and we are just at the start, but here are some steps we have already taken and are planning to take to try and help
Firstly, we have made every provision to makensure that our organisation and our grant making continues to run as smoothly asnpossible and is flexible to meet demand. There will inevitably be times when itndoesn’t quite work as planned, but please be patient and get in touch on info@cdcf.org.uk.
Tonreinforce earlier communication, with grant programmes that are under thenimmediate control of the Community Foundation, we will be as flexible andnunderstanding in our support as possible.
If you are a group in receipt of funding sourced fromnGovernment monies, for example ESF 1.4 Community Grants, Tampon Tax, Nationwidenor #iwill, we are in the process of talking to key stakeholders to discuss adaptingnthe requirements of these grants. This will takentime, but we will communicate an update as soon as it is possible
We are currently working to develop a fundingnprogramme to help charities and groups manage operationally over the period ofnthe crisis, to be in a strong position to resume their activities, and to helpnsupport your charities and groups navigate and survive this crisis. We arenworking to establish a sustainability fund and we’ll bring you news as soon asnwe can.
To be ready to access this you will need tonconsider your own organisation and anticipate the challenges you will face sonthat, once launched and open to applications, we can roll out funding supportnto you swiftly and effectively.
You will undoubtedly see an increase in fundnraising appeals in the North East. Rest assured we are engaged in a coordinatedneffort to secure funds for the benefit of our communities. More news on thisnsoon.
We are also working with VONNE and Durham Community Action who arenconstantly publishing support for community groups and to collect intelligencenfrom across the sector so we can understand what is needed. We are also innconstant discussion with our national membership body, UK CommunitynFoundations, to ensure the importance of supportingnthe sector at this challenging time is put forward to Government.
Anreminder you can contact us at info@cdcf.org.uk ifnyou have concerns and follow us on Facebook for regular updates.
Wenare going to do everything we can to find the most effective ways to help younand the communities that you serve
