We know how to get money out quickly, where it is needed most
As pressures related to the cost of living continue to rise, funders have been coming together to ask how they can best support communities and civil society groups across London.
At the end of September, London Funders hosted its Cost of Living week, where we brought together charities, local authorities, and funders from across the sectors to explore what can be done to mitigate the risks presented by the increased demand and rising costs associated with the crisis. Rather than set up a separate funding stream, many funders are keen to collaborate with others to help distribute money and get funds to the groups who need it most. This might be to support with immediate costs related to the crisis, but also to strengthen civil society’s longer-term resilience so that organisations can continue to tackle the systemic issues which underly so many of the current problems.
Local place-based giving schemes (PBGS) are already providing a route to get funding out quickly to those affected by the crisis. As they showed during the pandemic, place-based giving schemes are well placed to do this: they are agile, with simple processes for assessing and distributing grants, and have trusted connections with grassroots groups within their communities. Several are working with their Local Authority partners to distribute money from the Household Support Fund, and others have launched local appeals, harnessing the shared resources from local funders, businesses, and residents.
If you are a funder looking to work with others around the cost of living at a local level, check out details of the activity underway and get in touch with your local place-based giving scheme, as they may be able to distribute funding on your behalf to groups who need it most.
-
Islington Giving have launched their Islington Crisis Appeal. Funding from this appeal will be used by partners to provide financial help, alongside support and advice to ensure residents in financial distress can get the right help for the issues they are facing
-
Lewisham Local has launched a Cost of Living appeal to ask those who can afford it, to donate some of their council tax energy rebate to help others in the borough.
-
The Kensington and Chelsea Foundation’s Winter Appeal will support residents who need help with fuel payments or cash for essential items. The appeal will also offer specialist advice from local partners.
-
Hackney Giving have launched a cost of living appeal which will offer grants to cover food and other necessities, contribute towards utility bills or provide meals in a community setting. Funds can also be used for after-school and holiday provisions. They are inviting local businesses to take part.
-
Merton Giving’s Building Resilience fund is providing short-term funding (up to 12 months) and will focus on addressing issues identified as those needing support in the borough in addition to those vulnerabilities arising and exacerbated by the economic crisis.
-
At Camden Giving, they are turning around applications for food banks in less than 2 weeks with a regular participatory grantmaking programme. They are also developing a programme to support projects that tackles longer terms structural inequalities alongside the urgent costs faced by those in the borough.
If you’re a place-based giving scheme and want to add details of activity you’re doing related to the cost of living, please get in touch.
Of course, collaboration is not just for times of crisis, so if you are a funder looking to increase your reach locally, we’d still recommend getting to know your local place-based giving schemes to explore other opportunities to work together! Details available on www.londonsgiving.org.uk