The Somerset Community Foundation is offering Somerset Coronavirus Rapid Response Fund to help local charities and community organisations assist the county's most vulnerable people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The Foundation will fund activities that meet the immediate needs of disadvantaged people in Somerset.

This might include:

• access to food and other essential provisions.
• assistance to older people and those who are extremely clinically vulnerable.
• support to manage mental health.
• help to those experiencing domestic abuse.

Grants will be awarded all over Somerset and they are particularly interested to hear about activities that:

• are led by and for the people they support, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME); deaf and disabled; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) and women
• take place in more deprived communities.

Funding Information

The smallest grant they will award is £100, and the largest will be £1,000.

Eligibility Criteria

The Fund is open to:

• charities.
• community groups.
• sports clubs.
• community interest companies.
• other not-for-profit organisations.
• parish or town councils (if there are no appropriate charities or groups in the area).

The Foundation expects applicants to have:

• a board of trustees or a management committee with at least three unrelated members.
• a bank account in the group’s name with at least two signatories.
• appropriate policies and insurances, including safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

For more information, visit Somerset Community Foundation.