In addition to the new Voluntary Services Emergency Fund from WCVA, AVOW have received an additional £25,000 to distribute to organisations across Wrexham County Borough.
In this time of national emergency, funding needs to reach those working directly with communities quickly, to meet a huge increase in need. This grant scheme will enable voluntary organisations providing vital support during the Coronavirus crisis to continue and expand their work.
Purpose of the Voluntary Services Emergency Fund
The purpose of this fund is to enable those providing vital support to groups such as: people in isolation, the elderly, carers, people struggling to access food etc so that they can be supported during this time.
AVOW will administer the smaller grants scheme to enable the sector to continue and expand their work, especially with volunteers, in supporting people our community most at need during this time.
Grants will support not for profit organisations working at a Street and Community level. Grants up-to £1,000 will be considered and organisations are eligible to apply for the larger Voluntary Services Emergency Grant scheme through WCVA.
How can the funding be used?
Funding can be used for smaller capital or revenue expenditure including consumable (for example PPE); however, the request must fit in with the grant aims of maintaining or increasing voluntary services for vulnerable individuals and communities affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
For information on how to access Capital funding please refer to Welsh Government’s Community Facilities Programme.
Initial funding will be for up to six months; however, this may change depending on how the crisis develops.
Grant Aims
- Maintain or increase activities that support the vulnerable during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
- Ensure third/voluntary sector organisations have the resources needed to deliver vital services for their communities.
- Encourage stringent health and safety protocols during all activities that safeguard third/voluntary sector staff, volunteers and beneficiaries.
Is your organisation eligible to apply?
During the current crisis, a number of emergency funds and support schemes have become available to organisations providing necessary services. We expect interested applicants to have spoken to their current funders to discuss how existing funding can be used during this period, as well as considered whether other UK Government or Welsh Government COVID19 emergency schemes are more suitable.
Please read the Voluntary Services Emergency Fund Guidance (Doc | 3pp) on eligibility before applying.
Your organisation can apply if:
- It is a third/voluntary sector (not-for-profit) organisation and is independent of government, private and public sectors:
- Registered charity
- Constituted group
- Community Interest Company
- Charitable Incorporated Organisation
- Company limited by guarantee
- Company limited by shares where all shares are held by one of the above (i.e. wholly-owned social business subsidiary of a Charity)
- Industrial and Provident Society (IPS) in the form of a Community Benefit Society (BenCom)
- Financial Mutual
- The funding will be for activities/services/communities in Wales
- Your organisation has its own bank account or an account in the name of the ‘Trustees of [name of organisation]’
- and has at least 2 authorised signatories
Your organisation cannot apply if you are:
- A political organisation
- A statutory organisation
- A private organisation
- An individual
- A non-constituted group
Please note that only one request can be made by the same organisation. Organisations are eligible to apply for both the local AVOW grant and the larger scheme through WCVA.
How to Apply
To apply please download an application form (DOC | 4pp), complete and return to Katherine Prince, Accounts & Payroll Manager at AVOW, by email Katherine.Prince@avow.org
Contact
For further information and assistance with this grant scheme application please contact Nigel Davies, Funding Officer at AVOW by email Nigel.Davies@avow.org
You can also access the guidance from WCVA Voluntary Services Emergency Fund guidance and Frequently asked questions.
For further advice on funds available please keep an eye on our Grants and Funding page or join the Funding with AVOW Facebook group.
Further guidance on the Third Sector response to the Coronavirus is available through the AVOW website or through WCVA: COVID-19 updates and guidance
