The Berkeley Foundation has awarded more than £200,000 in emergency grants to help youth charities to recover from the impact of Covid-19.
Launched in 2011, the Berkeley Foundation is an independent charity set up to support young people across London, Birmingham and the South of England
£10,000 grants were awarded to 20 local charity partners that support children and young adults across London, Birmingham and the South of England, in communities where Berkeley works. Recipients include children's hospices and organisations supporting young people with disabilities, or facing homelessness. These unrestricted donations will support the charities' running costs as well as frontline services, ensuring that they can continue to support their local communities.
Many charities have seen reductions in income during the pandemic, as a result of fundraising events being postponed or cancelled, while also facing a big increase in demand for their services from local people who are struggling. The Foundation was one of the early signatories to the joint funder statement co-ordinated by London Funders, which recognises the impact the pandemic will have on charities' resources.
The Berkeley Foundation continues to work closely with all its charity partners to review current and future needs, and will make further grants over the coming months.
Jean Templeton, Chief Executive of grant recipient St Basils, a Birmingham-based youth homelessness charity, said:
"Staying at home is predicated on the fact that you have a home. With this invaluable support from the Berkeley Foundation, we are able to ensure the young people who come to St Basils have the essentials they need to keep safe, well, connected and feel cared about, during these exceptional times."
Sally Dickinson, Head of Berkeley Foundation, said:
"We know this is a hugely difficult time for the voluntary sector - NCVO has forecast a £4bn hole in charity finances this quarter alone as a result of the crisis. At the same time, charities and communities have risen to the challenge and come together to support those in need. I hope this injection of funds will support our charity partners to continue to deliver their vital services, now and into the future."