Standard Life launches coronavirus fund

Standard Life Foundation has today (March 27) launched funding for work directly related to supporting people through the financial consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

Grants will be made to organisations which tackle financial problems and improve living standards for those on low-to-middle incomes in the UK. The projects should address specific challenges and help to contribute to social change.

Funding, taken from the total of the Foundation’s grants budget for the year (£2.5m), will support policy, research and campaigns working on issues relating to the financial consequences of the pandemic.

This could be a review or economic modelling of the effectiveness of certain policies at helping people on low-to-middle incomes, or it could be a campaign to change policies so that they better help those who have been hardest hit by coronavirus pandemic.

Applications are open now and will be assessed as they are received, there is currently no closing date.

Applications are open to all organisations undertaking charitable work (including those not registered as charities).

It is expected that work will begin immediately where a grant is awarded and it is likely that grants will be made in the range of £5,000 to £50,000, however, there is no set amount that people can apply for.

The amount available may be increased later in the year, subject to demand and existing grant commitments.

A Standard Life spokesperson said: ‘As with many individuals and organisations we are thinking about how we can respond to and best use the resources we have. It goes without saying that this is a challenging period which raises many difficulties.

‘The coronavirus pandemic is rapidly changing the way we live and work and the consequences will be far-reaching, especially for those with the least resources. Although we are all affected, we are not all affected equally.

‘At Standard Life Foundation we have been considering how we can best meet our mission of tackling financial problems and improving living standards. We have been talking to organisations working in the field, other funders and key stakeholders and following the rapid development of the pandemic.’

Photo Credit – Pixabay

To apply for funding visit this website.