KCC is urging the county’s smaller charities to take advantage of an emergency fund launched by the Kent Community Foundation, which the county council has already supported with a grant of £200,000.
The Foundation has said it will be supporting charities and community groups facing difficulties as their fundraising activities are affected by the government measures to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus.
The emergency fund will accept applications for grants of up to £10,000, from charities with an annual income of £200,000 or less and will initially give priority to those from organisations supporting the elderly and vulnerable.
Mike Hill, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, said:
“Many charities will suffer a loss of income because of the current pandemic and will therefore struggle to provide their vital services to the community.
Kent Community Foundation has asked its existing supporters to help alleviate this situation and KCC has acted quickly to donate £200,000 to the new Coronavirus Emergency Fund.
This will initially support charities and community groups working with the elderly and vulnerable, but the foundation will closely monitor developments to assess which other groups may also need support from this fund.”
KCC is currently consulting on its Civil Society Strategy, which is due to be launched in June. The strategy sets out KCC’s commitment to supporting the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, recognising the important role it plays in our communities.
The strategy will see future investment into the social sector but the decision has been taken to bring some of the funding forward to support organisations during this challenging time.
Residents and organisations can taken part in the consultation by clicking this link: https://kccconsultations.inconsult.uk/consult.ti/civilsocietystrategy/consultationHome
Charities wishing to apply for support from the foundation should visit the website: https://kentcf.org.uk
Kent Community Foundation has asked its existing supporters to help alleviate this situation and KCC has acted quickly to donate £200,000 to the new Coronavirus Emergency Fund.
This will initially support charities and community groups working with the elderly and vulnerable, but the foundation will closely monitor developments to assess which other groups may also need support from this fund.”
KCC is currently consulting on its Civil Society Strategy, which is due to be launched in June. The strategy sets out KCC’s commitment to supporting the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, recognising the important role it plays in our communities.
The strategy will see future investment into the social sector but the decision has been taken to bring some of the funding forward to support organisations during this challenging time.
Residents and organisations can taken part in the consultation by clicking this link: https://kccconsultations.inconsult.uk/consult.ti/civilsocietystrategy/consultationHome
Charities wishing to apply for support from the foundation should visit the website: https://kentcf.org.uk
Murray Evans
Kent County Council
Space
