The trustees of the COSARAF Foundation are acutely aware of the challenges faced by communities as a result of the COVID-19 public health challenge.

In response to these challenges, the Foundation stands ready to work with social organisations working with vulnerable people facing significant hardship as a result of the crisis. The Foundation has ensured that its Hardship Grants stream is operational at this difficult time and will do all it can to respond to swiftly in processing such applications.

In addition, along with a wider group of funders, the Foundation recognises that the COVID-19 outbreak is an exceptional event that will have an impact on civil society groups and want to offer reassurance that we stand with the sector during this time. We wish to be as helpful as possible during the coming weeks and months so that civil society groups can focus on the vital work of supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. We understand that there will be times when staff and volunteers will not be available, when beneficiaries may need services to be provided in different ways, or when systems need to be flexible to ensure that needs are met.

For all the organisations affected by the COVID-19 outbreak which receive grant-funding from us, we are committed to:

• Adapting activities – we recognise that you may experience difficulties achieving some of the outputs or outcomes we agreed for your grant during the outbreak, and would like to be able to maintain our grant payments to you at originally-agreed levels during this period, so please have a conversation with us if you are affected in this way;
• Discussing dates – we don’t want to add pressure, so if you think you will struggle to meet a reporting deadline please get in touch with us so that we can agree a more realistic time for you to get things to us wherever possible;
• Financial flexibility – we know you may need to use your funding to help cover sickness, purchase equipment, or deliver services differently, and we will be reasonable if you need to move money between budget headings to ensure your work can continue; and
• Listening to you – we are here if you want to talk to us about the situation you’re facing, but we’ll wait for you to call us so that these conversations are at the right time for you.

This statement is being coordinated by London Funders, but is not only for their members or funders in London, so if you have other funders or supporters you think would like to sign this please ask them to get in touch with the team at info@londonfunders.org.uk

You can see the current list of funders who have committed to this statement alongside us at https://londonfunders.org.uk/about/covid-19