If you're a Hitchin or Herts-based charity or community group did you know you can apply for a grant of up to £5,000 from the Hertfordshire Community Foundation Coronavirus Relief fund?

The Coronavirus Relief Fund is open to small charities and community organisations that are supporting isolated older and vulnerable people of all ages in our county as well as those with low and insecure incomes.

The focus of the fund will be to offer emergency funding to deal with emerging issues as a result of the continuing threat of coronavirus, and the need for self-isolation, and with that the potential for further loneliness and isolation in older people and vulnerable people of any age. It will also address issues such as poor mental health and food poverty.

How much can I apply for?

This is an emergency programme with grants of up to £5,000 available. HCF will generally prioritise small charities and community groups where a relatively small grant of between £500 - £5,000 can make an appreciable difference.

When can I apply?

Grants are assessed on a rolling basis, and you can apply now.

When will I hear the result?

You will receive an automated email when your grant has been submitted. They plan to let you know within 10-14 days if you are successful.

Eligibility

To be eligible your project will support these groups and will help to:

Reduce isolation and vulnerability that has arisen due to Covid-19.

Support the ongoing needs of older people and vulnerable people to ensure that their well-

being is maintained whilst the outbreak continues.

Ensure older and vulnerable people remain connected with the outside world during this

time.

Enable people experiencing poverty and change in circumstance as a result of the virus to

access food, support and advice and guidance.

Who can apply?

Your group must be a small charity, community or voluntary group with a written constitution or governing document. You may also be a community interest company or social enterprise limited by guarantee.

They will prioritise small charities and community groups where a relatively small grant of between £500 - £5,000 can make an appreciable difference.

Your governing document must include your charitable aims or objectives and a dissolution clause or asset lock which states what would happen to any funds should the group have to close.

Your group must be governed by a voluntary trustee or management committee with a minimum of three members, at least two of whom must be unrelated.

The group must have a bank account in its own name, with at least two unrelated signatories.

The group must have all the relevant policies in place for its work, including equality and diversity policies and safeguarding policies.

Your group must be working to meet the needs of the local community in Hertfordshire.

Your group must be based in Hertfordshire, or be able to show specifically how the funding

you are applying for will benefit people in the county.

Priority is given to volunteer led and managed groups.

If your group is affiliated to a national body, you must have a local management committee

and your own separate bank account.

Who can't apply?

Individuals

National charities – unless there is a locally constituted branch

Businesses or community interest companies limited by shares

Organisations where any one person has significant control

Groups with very high levels of unrestricted and undesignated reserves – usually over a year

although there may be exceptions

Statutory organisations including schools, parish councils and CCGs

Organisations that cannot demonstrate public benefit as defined by the Charity Commission

(for more information visit www.charitycommission.gov.uk)

What can I apply for?

All applications are assessed, and a member of the grants team may contact you to discuss your application.

If you need to contact the grants team then please send an email to [email protected]