Foundation backs community with £1.3million

October 21st 2020

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In the first 120 days of lockdown, County Durham Community Foundation awarded £1.3million to groups at the heart of helping. From food parcels to prescriptions, the grants, averaging £5,000, funded hundreds of essential community projects across County Durham, Darlington and Tees Valley.

Chief executive Michelle Cooper said: “We knew we had to act fast and the team responded in a way I will never forget. We spoke to the groups we fund, and some that we haven’t, and a great many of them wanted to help their communities and had thought of a way to do it. Our donors were quick to come on board too, releasing restrictions on their usual funds so we could start making grants."

The National Emergencies Trust chose to use the UK’s network of community foundations to distribute money – more than £65million - raised through a national appeal.   

Michelle added: “At that point we really moved up a gear and managed to get £1.3million out to groups in Durham, Darlington and Tees Valley in just 120 days."

Tees Valley groups like Ubuntu Multicultural Centre, Women Today and Tees CIO all received emergency funding through the Foundation.