Gloucestershire Funders COVID-19 response

Gloucestershire Funders is a new collaboration between eight foundations and organisations who can provide funding for charities, groups and activities, in Gloucestershire.  We have come together during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the county.

Updated 12.06.20

Listening to what’s needed

Back in March, we spent two weeks listening to charities across the county to understand the impact of COVID-19. Gloucestershire charities and civil society groups have made an incredible response to this emergency.  We have heard how you are changing your work and adapting what you offer with speed and ingenuity, against the backdrop of worrying financial uncertainty.

What are we doing?Logo image for Gloucestershire Funders

As a group of funders, we want to adjust rapidly too − to support what’s most needed in Gloucestershire.

For a list of the funders included in the Gloucestershire Funders group, see below.

1. Responsive funding

This is designed to reach people who are at particular risk during this emergency.  We have heard that there is a need for the following, although this is not exhaustive:

  • Revenue funds for civil society organisations whose immediate survival is at risk, to ensure that they can continue to provide their existing services
  • Revenue funds for charities who want to re-imagine and reconfigure their services in light of the new environment they are operating in and the challenges facing the people they exist to serve
  • Capital funds for charities already developing spaces and places which will be of benefit to people in the post-pandemic recovery period, where those places or spaces are now at risk

How to apply

We want to support you by making it as easy as possible for you to apply for funds, without having to make lots of separate applications.  To apply to the Gloucestershire Funders group please complete the simple online application form here.

The following questions are covered in the application: 

  • What does your organisation do, where and with whom?
  • What do you need money for and what difference will it make?
  • What will you spend the money on and in what time frame?

Your application will be considered by all eight funders and a representative of the group will be in touch with details of the outcome of your application within 3 weeks of submission. 

2. Mentoring and support to charity CEOs and Chairs

We have heard a number of people say that talking with experienced colleagues and people dealing with the same issues in this crisis can be helpful.  We are therefore working in partnership with Cranfield Trust, VCS Alliance and a range of corporate partners to provide support and advice to charity leaders.

We will also share other leadership mentoring opportunities for community leaders who are grappling with leadership dilemmas during this crisis, as they arise.

3. Longer-term recovery, redevelopment and support

Whilst there is a lot of focus on the immediate impact of the pandemic on charities, groups, communities and people, many are also considering the long-term impact and the recovery process that will follow.

Tell us what’s needed

Organisations, communities and groups considering these issues are invited to discuss ideas with us, by calling Barnwood Trust’s Director of Partnerships Georgia Boon on 07516 030263 or emailing Georgia.Boon@barnwoodtrust.org.  Your ideas will be shared with the Gloucestershire Funders and we will use our networks to identify potential longer-term sources of support.

Who are the Gloucestershire Funders?

We are a group of eight funders committed to work together as flexibly, swiftly and helpfully as we can, for the benefit of Gloucestershire charities, people and groups.

We also feel that, in good conscience, we need to say that there is much more demand than we have the funds to respond to, but we are committed to doing as much as we can, and still ensure our ability to go on funding into the future.

The Gloucestershire Funders, in alphabetical order, are:

  • Active Gloucestershire
  • Barnwood Trust
  • Create Gloucestershire
  • Gloucestershire Disability Fund
  • Gloucestershire Community Foundation
  • National Benevolent Charity
  • Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office
  • Thirty Percy Foundation

We are also in close contact with the VCS Alliance, the Local Enterprise Partnership and the District and County Councils.

And, in contact with other charitable funders in Gloucestershire, including Ernest Cook Trust, Ethical Giving, National Lottery for Gloucestershire, Pied Piper Trust, St James’s Place Foundation, Summerfield Trust, The Henry Smith Charity County Grants and The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire.

Get in touch

Barnwood Trust are acting as the central point of contact for the Gloucestershire Funders for the time being.  Please send any communications for the joint Gloucestershire Funders to Georgia Boon on Georgia.Boon@barnwoodtrust.org or call 07516 030263.

 

To read more about the organisations we have been able to make a financial contribution towards so far click here.