Merton Giving Fund Applications Open

Merton Giving announces funding programme for local organisations

Merton Giving, the charitable partnership between Merton Chamber of Commerce and Merton Voluntary Services Council, has announced a second phrase of funding support for local charitable organisations. Applications opened November 16 with a focus on Response, Resilience and Recovery.

Designed to support organisations working locally to benefit Merton residents in their response, resilience and recovery, an opening fund total of £200,000 is available to assist organisations during these challenging times. Sizeable donations have been submitted from founders including Merton Council, Wimbledon Foundation and Clarion Futures. Aiming to assist long-term, the fund will also include 5 years of financial support from the CCG 2020 – 2025 Legacy Fund.

This announcement follows the first phase of grant funding which, over a period of 6 months, awarded £210,000 to over 70 local charitable organisations impacted by COVID-19; the benefit of which reached at least 6,500 Merton residents. Each of the funders has specific requirements in relation to the allocation of their funds and themes have therefore been introduced for applications. The themes are;

• Supporting those facing Disproportionate Impact

Organisations supporting people and communities who experience disproportionate impact and difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Supporting our Vulnerable Residents

Organisations providing services and support for vulnerable people, for which there will be increased demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Connecting our Communities

Organisations which connect communities and support communities to work together to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Diana Sterck, Chair of Merton Giving said, “Merton Giving moved quickly and efficiently to ensure that grant funding was made available to support local organisations as the pandemic hit.  We are appreciative that our founding donors have seen the value in our collaborative funding approach and have committed to making further generous donations which will enable us to support more local charitable organisations and residents.”

The Merton Giving Coronavirus Fund is administered by founding partner Merton Voluntary Service Council (MVSC). The grant funding team will continue to work to make decisions and allocate funding as quickly as possible to provide Merton organisations with financial support. Full details regarding the Fund, including guidance, how to apply and to submit an application can be found here.

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