Minister announces funding supporting the Coronavirus Community Fund

9 Apr 2020

DAERA Minister, Edwin Poots MLA today announced that he will provide £200,000 towards the ‘Coronavirus Community Fund’.

The Community Foundation fund, which opened on Monday 16 March 2020, is supporting local individuals and communities address issues emerging from coronavirus. Grants beginning at £1,000 are available however, the Foundation will consider applications for up to £10,000, providing emergency funding to community organisations to help them to deliver locally identified practical support around emerging issues relating to the virus. In just three weeks the Coronavirus Community Fund has received 548 applications and awarded £528,000 awarded to local communities across Northern Ireland highlighting the great need and willingness of communities.

The Fund is focused on helping the most vulnerable at this time. Groups working with people of all ages and at increased risk as a result of the virus, particularly in relation to poor mental health and wellbeing and vulnerable isolated people, particularly in rural areas are eligible to apply for funding.

Minister Poots commented, “Our communities are currently facing a threat like no other and there are those, particularly in rural areas, who feel vulnerable and isolated.

“I am pleased to support the Coronavirus Community Fund with a contribution of £200,000 to Community Foundation for NI from my Department to help the delivery of much needed and targeted support to the Community and Voluntary sector. In addition, DAERA will work with DfC to fund applications for eligible activity from organisations that CFNI are unable to support including Faith Based organisations.”

Orla Black, Community Foundation Grants Director “We welcome this much need boost of funding for Communities, we have been overwhelmed by the high volume of applications – All proof of the great need in our community. Our team are working hard to get funding to groups in less than a week ensuring they have the resources to provide an invaluable service to their community. We’d like to thank the DAERA Minister, Edwin Poots and all our partners and other funders that have contributed so generously to this fund supporting communities to drive change.”

Groups wishing to apply for funding please click here.

If you would like to contribute to this fund and support the people and organisations that are dealing with those most critically affected by the virus, contact shealy@communityfoundationni.org