Community foundations launch emergency flood recovery appeals
Howard Lake | 18 February 2020 | News
Community foundations across England are responding to the devastating and compounded impact of Storms Ciara and Dennis.
Community foundations are providing emergency grants to assist individuals and families who have been displaced from their homes and/or had their properties damaged by flood waters. In some instances, the foundations are also raising funds for community rebuilding projects.
Emergency flood recovery appeals
Currently, the following community foundations have launched emergency flood recovery appeals in response to the latest floods and/or are still fundraising following recent flooding.
Community Foundation for Calderdale
We are receiving applications for emergency grants but need more donations to our Flood Appeal. You can make a donation by visiting https://t.co/3scvPiEcLG pic.twitter.com/GF02K6aOzk
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— Community Foundation for Calderdale (@CalderdaleFound) February 17, 2020
Foundation Derbyshire
Our Flood Relief Appeal is still open for Stage 2 applications, which includes support for community groups affected by the floods in Derbyshirehttps://t.co/PbkuiA8LH3 pic.twitter.com/sJP6LANBNc
— FoundationDerbyshire (@Foundation_DBS) February 18, 2020
Herefordshire Community Foundation
Details of how to give to our flood fund on our website and in article below. #Herefordshire #herefordhour #StormDennis https://t.co/LQFh2kSMwf
— Herefordshire Community Foundation (@HerefordCF) February 17, 2020
Community Foundation for Lancashire
The Community Foundation for Lancashire is a independent charity and oversaw the 2015 Lancs flood appeal. They have some money remaining that residents affected by the recent storms can apply for. They have also launched a new appeal for donations. Visit 👉https://t.co/C9A0JokGFM
— Wyre Council (@wyrecouncil) February 17, 2020
Nottinghamshire Community Foundation
South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation
It's official phase two of the South Yorkshire Flood Disaster Relief Fund has launched! Offering up to £5,000 in grants to flooded households across #southyorkshire. #floodappeal #doncasterfloodshttps://t.co/fW65S105U9
— South Yorkshire's Community Foundation (@SYCF1986) February 6, 2020
Heart of Bucks – Community Foundation for Buckinghamshire are opening a Flood Recovery & Awareness Fund designed to support charities and community groups affected by the floods.
Other community foundations are responding to floods but not currently launching appeals.
Steve Duncan, Chief Executive of Community Foundation for Calderdale, said: “Unfortunately this is our third serious flood in eight years and Community Foundation for Calderdale is well versed on managing an appeal and distributing grants to those affected.
“We are initially giving out £200 emergency grants to householders and we are working with the Council to support businesses, offering £1,000 top up grants to £2,500 grants with funding they have received from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership.”
Fabian French is Chief Executive of UK Community Foundations, the national network of 46 accredited community foundations across the UK. Each year its members give around £100 million to charities, community groups and individuals.
He said: “Whether assisting with emergency repairs, clothing, childcare equipment or furniture and white goods, flood recovery grants are crucial when it comes to supporting people to rebuild their lives following crisis and upheaval.
“Community foundations are well-placed to provide emergency relief because they understand the needs of their locality and are able to convene with relevant partners and mobilise quickly. Being well-established in their communities, community foundations hold a position of trust and draw on existing relationships with local donors.”
Other fundraising in the wake of flooding
Flooding has affected Shropshire, with Coalbrookdale by Ironbridge suffering.
In addition there is flooding in South Wales, with one campaign raising £30,000 for those affected.
Film star Michael Sheen and Pontypridd MP Alex Davies-Jones have between them raised more than £80,000 in online campaigns. The money raised from Michael Sheen’s campaign will go to the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, of which he has been president since 2017.
Manic Street Preachers star to lead Valley Aid fundraiser in March: https://t.co/92ZlpKjks4 @BBCnews #StormDennis
— Howard Lake (@howardlake) February 24, 2020
The Welsh Government has pledged up to £10m to helps affected towns such as Pontypridd and Monmouth.
The National Flood Forum is a national charity that supporters flood risk communities.
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.