Devon Community Foundation exists to tackle inequality and strengthen communities. In light of the violence in Plymouth on 5th August and in communities across the UK recently, we want to ensure our grant funding is accessed at this moment particularly by organisations in Plymouth and across Devon that are:

– Directly supporting refugees and asylum seekers in terms of meeting immediate need and integration into local communities
– Supporting black and racially minoritised groups to feel safe in Devon’s communities
– Delivering anti-racism work or work encouraging religious understanding
– Led by people who have direct experience of racial abuse or marginalisation
– Delivering work to strengthen relationships between Devon’s diverse communities

We will be prioritising and fast-tracking applications through our small grants process in the coming weeks and reaching out to organisations to support them to apply and making proactive small grants where appropriate.

Please get in touch if you are doing or can recommend organisations doing this work – particularly at a grassroots level. Note that our usual small grants income threshold of £250,000 won’t apply where organisations can evidence that they are uniquely well placed to do this work.

We are also aware that many people feel as though they want to make a difference, but are unsure how. A donation to Devon Community Foundation right now will go towards supporting organisations working to strengthen communities in the ways outlined above – you can make a donation here.