Through the difficult months ahead, they have committed to listen to the needs of communities and civil society, to be flexible with their existing funding, and to be open with how learning from responding to the crisis will inform their work for the long-term.
Signatories
The funder commitment follows the “We Stand With The Sector” statement that over 400 funders signed in March, and has again been coordinated by London Funders, the membership organisation for funders of London’s civil society. Recognising the importance of these pledges to groups across the UK, the statement and list of signatories is hosted independently at www.covid19funders.org.uk.
Signatories so far include the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales, Allen and Overy, and the Greater London Authority (GLA), with more funders expected to join the list in the coming days.
New wave of Funding
Alongside renewing the statement, London Funders is working with the collaboration of 65 funders behind the London Community Response to launch a new wave of funding to support groups navigating the lockdown – recognising the continued needs of the sector and the capital’s communities through the winter months ahead.
Reflecting on the statement, the new wave of funding, and the sector’s current operating environment. David Farnsworth (Chair, London Funders, and Chief Grants Officer, City Bridge Trust) said:
As we navigate many unknowns, we do so with a strong track record of collaboration, and a shared commitment to strengthening civil society, knowing that by working together we can help communities to thrive beyond covid-19.
Hearing loudly and clearly
London Funders has heard loudly and clearly from civil society groups that they are concerned about the months ahead. 65% of the capital’s poverty charities have reported an increase in the number of people seeking support in the past two weeks, and 57% of organisations have not been able to meet demand in the past six months.
This new wave of funding will build on the £42m that has already been distributed to London’s civil society organisations through the collaboration. Funding has been awarded to organisations in all 33 boroughs, with a strong emphasis on supporting organisations led by communities most affected by the pandemic. In the most recent wave of funding, over 70% grants were given to groups led by people from Black, Asian or minority ethnic communities, Deaf and Disabled people, women, and LGBT+ communities.
Explaining why the GLA is involved in the collaboration, London’s Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, Social Mobility and Community Engagement, Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard said:
With the devastating impact of covid-19 still being keenly felt, we will continue to do all we can to support a sector whose tireless efforts are needed more than ever.
