As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, we quickly
realised this was a situation like none we had
experienced. In addition to the impact on people, jobs
and communities, the lockdown and rapid recession
also impacted the ability of charity community
organisations to deliver services and even survive.
The institutions who are there for us in time of need
were themselves facing crisis.
The Charitable Foundation recognised the potential
for the pandemic to impact the delivery of community
services, and by April we commenced a range of
relief initiatives.
Working with our charity partners we assessed the
impact and assisted with risk management and
business continuity advice and support, including
reallocation of grants towards online delivery and
revising timelines or existing projects.
We rapidly developed a partnership with Central
Coast Local Health District, Hunter New England
Health District and Everymind to create readily
accessible resources with mental health support
information. By May this resource had been
distributed to more than 300 Charitable Foundation
partners and other community organisations and
reached 750,000 people on social media.
In May we announced funding support measures,
including direct support and connections for already marginalised people who were further isolated by the pandemic, to be delivered by PCYC NSW and Sugarvalley Neighbourhood Centre. Our
most significant measure was to suspend our usual operations and bring forward $600,000 in grant funding to support our existing partners through the crisis and deliver innovative solutions that will assist our communities to survive and rebuild. This funding will start working in the community from September 2020.