The Harpur Trust has partnered with Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation (BLCF) and other local funders to offer a Bedfordshire Coronavirus Emergency Fund for grants of up to £7,500. The Emergency Fund hopes to raise and distribute much needed financial aid for vulnerable charities and local grassroots organisations during the current pandemic. At the time of writing, with support from partners and the general public, the Fund has raised over £422,000.
Lucy Bardner, Community Programmes Director at The Harpur Trust commented: “We are proud to be working in partnership with the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation, London Luton Airport Limited, the Police and Crime Commissioner, The Steel Charitable Trust, The Connolly Foundation, The Amateurs Trust and the National Emergencies Trust (NET), to support and administer the Bedfordshire Coronavirus Emergency Fund. During times of crisis, the needs of the community are best served when funders like us join forces with a common purpose and system, and we very much welcome the opportunity to work together for Bedfordshire.”
Fozia Irfan, Chief Exec at BLCF added, “we see it as hugely significant to be partnering with The Harpur Trust at this challenging time. Working together means that every charity across Bedfordshire need only fill in a single application form to access the relevant funds - saving vast amounts of time to enable them to focus on the critical work they do. With over 450 years of history in helping the people of Bedford, The Harpur trust are the ideal partner to lend their expertise and social understanding to the issues we currently face.”
To date over 100 applications to the fund have been initiated as small groups look to try and continuing helping those most in need, whilst at the same time managing their own long-term viability. People rely on the services charities provide, now more than ever. The overarching aim of the Bedfordshire Coronavirus Emergency Fund is to help protect these small but vital organisations through providing local grants for as long as funding allows.
If you are a local charity or voluntary group looking for support during this time, please visit: https://www.blcf.org.uk/2020/03/23/bedfordshire-coronavirus-emergency-fund/ to find out how to apply.
About the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation
BLCF is a grant maker supporting local community groups and charities https://www.blcf.org.uk/ It focuses on providing accessible funding based on a deep understanding of community needs. The organisation’s aim is to be a catalyst for social change for the community of Bedfordshire and Luton through collecting funds from local businesses and individuals to give to the local charities who need it the most.