Charities responding to COVID-19
Note: Research covers England & Wales only.
Summary Charities have had to rapidly adjust how they operate, turning services and support that were all about social contact into something online and remote. At the same time more people are seeking their help and their needs are multi-layered. This requires more resource, time, expertise and equipment. Yet access to resources is diminishing. Fundraising and trading income is disappearing while even contract and some grant income is under threat. In other areas, the pivot to emergency funding leaves a potential gap in medium-term resources for grant holders. At the same time, charities are losing staff and volunteers to sickness, self-isolation and caring responsibilities.
While, unlike 24% of the charity sector, Lloyds Bank Foundation grant holders do have reserves for more than half of grant holders these reserves covered fewer than three months of operating costs at their point of application. Even for those with reserves for 3-6 months, the anticipated prolonged impact on charities’ income alongside sustained pressures on demand will draw down on these reserves in the medium to long-term.
Report covers
a) Impact on services and beneficiaries
b) Impact on charities and their community
c) Impact on finances and funding
d) Impacts on Specific Complex Social Issues and Sectors
The report also looks at "What might come next?" and includes some Examples of charity responses.
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