We, along with a wider group of funders, recognise that the impact of the covid-19 outbreak continues to have a significant impact on civil society groups, and want to offer renewed assurance that we stand with the sector at this time.

As covid-19 hit our communities we saw how the incredible work of civil society groups helped people through the worst of times. We know civil society will also be crucial to the recovery and renewal of our communities beyond the crisis, and think it’s important to say that we’re not going anywhere – we’re going to be on the side of communities and civil society for the years ahead.

We recognise that these are difficult times for everyone – personally and professionally – and that there will be challenges ahead for us all.  We are strongest when we work together, so if you receive grant* funding from us we are committed to:

• Listening – we’re continuing to listen to the needs of our communities and civil society, and remain committed to the original pledges of the We Stand With The Sector statement on flexibility and responsiveness to these needs ¹
• Learning – we’re learning all the time about how we and civil society can strengthen our work together, and are thinking about how we can share and apply this learning  so that we can continue to be effective funders for the future.
• Long-term – we’re here for you in lockdowns, and we’ll still be here beyond crisis – we’re working hard to make sure our funding helps communities and civil society thrive now and in the years ahead, and will continue to be open with you  as our funding response develops.

We’re proud to play our part in supporting the amazing work of people across civil society – from before covid-19, through the crisis, and into the future.  We stand with the sector now, and always.

* This does not apply to commissioned services or contracts where there will be separate discussions between commissioners and provider organisations.

 

¹ These pledges are: adapting activities (“we recognise that you may experience difficulties achieving some of the outputs or outcomes we agreed for your grant during the outbreak, and would like to be able to maintain our grant payments to you at originally-agreed levels during this period, so please have a conversation with us if you are affected in this way”); discussing dates (“we don’t want to add pressure, so if you think you will struggle to meet a reporting deadline please get in touch with us so that we can agree a more realistic time for you to get things to us wherever possible”); financial flexibility (“we know you may need to use your funding to help cover sickness, purchase equipment, or deliver services differently, and we will be reasonable if you need to move money between budget headings to ensure your work can continue”); and listening to you (“we are here if you want to talk to us about the situation you’re facing, but we’ll wait for you to call us so that these conversations are at the right time for you”).

² Will hyperlink to the IVAR project on “sustaining simplified funding beyond covid-19” supported by London Funders and eight core funders, in partnership with civil society groups, at https://www.ivar.org.uk/live-project/sustaining-simplified-funding/

³ We will hyperlink from your organisation name on the signature list to your own website so people can quickly access any information specifically about your response and future thinking