In the face of serious coronavirus pressures across the capital, London Councils has declared its resolute support for the charities funded through its Grants Programme.

The cross-party group, which administers annual grants totalling more than £6 million on behalf of the 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation, has signed a pledge on working flexibly with grants partners during the coronavirus outbreak.

Coordinated by London Funders, the membership body of funders of London’s civil society, London Councils joins other organisations from across the funding spectrum in recognising Covid-19 as an exceptional event that will affect charity staffing and volunteers and require voluntary sector services to adapt to changing circumstances.

London Councils has committed to:

Adapting activities – acknowledging that agreed outcomes may not be achieved in the timeframes 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.
London Councils’ Grants Programme supports 13 projects dedicated to tackling homelessness and combating sexual and domestic violence. All grants recipients are non-profit organisations working across boroughs. Partners include the Asian Women’s Resource Centre, Shelter, and Women’s Aid.

Philip Glanville, Mayor of Hackney and Chair of London Councils’ Grants Committee, said: “Boroughs are determined to stand by our civil society partners during the coronavirus outbreak.

“Coronavirus is changing the way we all operate for the foreseeable future – and London’s charity and voluntary sector is no exception. London Councils’ grants partners support some of London’s most vulnerable residents, even more so at times like this. Taking a flexible approach will help them to continue doing what they do best – meeting the needs of London’s communities, while working alongside the boroughs.”