A £100,000 Covid-19 Recovery Fund has been launched by Warwickshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to boost organisations working to improve community safety and help the most vulnerable.
The fund aims to help groups across the charitable and voluntary sector which have been hit with a double-whammy of reduced fund-raising opportunities and increasing demand.
PCC Philip Seccombe said: “I have decided to launch a Covid-19 Recovery Fund, to help ensure that these voluntary groups, charities and community organisations can continue to provide their much-needed help.
“Many community and voluntary groups have evolved to support local communities and vulnerable groups over the past few weeks.
“They might not ordinarily be able to meet the criteria for a grant but I’m very keen to ensure that they do not miss out.
“In total, I will be awarding up to £100,000 through grants, donations and other arrangements to help the county as it begins to recover from the effects of Covid-19.
“This is funded from the reserves I have been able to save through careful financial management over the past year and, as taxpayer’s money, it is right that it is put to good use in response to one of the most significant emergencies to have hit the county in our lifetimes.”
Applications are welcome from community, voluntary, third sector, private and statutory organisations that deliver projects or services at a county-wide or local level within Warwickshire. All projects must be not-for-profit.
Organisations are able to submit one bid each and applications are limited to £5,000 for most applicants. Other groups seeking amounts under £1,000 can submit a donation request instead – a much simpler application. There is no lower limit to funding requests.
All applicants need to demonstrate how their projects will meet one of four criteria – put victims and survivors first, ensure efficient and effective policing, protect people from harm, or prevent and reduce crime.
Grants and donations will be made on a one-off basis and projects funded under this scheme must be completed, or the money awarded spent, by the end of March 2021.
Visit www.warwickshire-pcc.gov.uk/your-pcc/commissioners-grants/covid-19-recovery-fund for terms and conditions, details of eligibility, and how to apply.
The final deadline for applications is Friday July 24.
