“We stand with the sector”
Coordinated by London Funders, the pledge “We stand with the sector” saw 350 organisations from across the UK recognise that COVID-19 is an exceptional event that warrants an exceptional response and beneficiaries may need to be supported differently.
To support organisations affected by the outbreak, grant funders committed to four main ways of working. These are:
- Adapting activities – acknowledging that agreed outcomes may not be achieved in the time frames originally set.
- Discussing dates – not adding pressure on organisations to meet tight reporting deadlines.
- Financial flexibility – allowing organisations to use money differently e.g. buying equipment and covering staff sickness.
- Listening – encouraging frank conversations between funders and grantees, with funders being supportive of their needs.
Although this statement is coordinated by London Funders, it is open to all civil society organisations in the UK.
The statement was the inspiration behind the European Philanthropy Statement on COVID-19, coordinated by DAFNE and the EFC.