This expenses policy sets out how Schools ABC intends to distribute our Solidarity Fund. The Solidarity Fund is made up of donations from our supporters. We aim to raise £6,000 over 3 months from February to April, and redistribute it to families who need it.

Who can ask us for money?

Migrant families and families of colour.

By 'families', we mean parents or carers with school age children.

By 'migrant', we mean people who came to the UK within the last 5 years.

By 'of colour', we mean:

Black African, Black Caribbean or Black British people

Asian or Asian British people

Middle-Eastern people of Arab descent

The indigenous people of Northern Scandinavia and Russia, the Americas, the Pacific Islands, Australia or New Zealand

People of ethnic traveller heritage

People of mixed heritage including any of the above.

Trusted community groups and networks who work directly with migrant families and families of colour.

Are you a community group or mutual aid network working with migrant families and families of colour? Apply to become a trusted community group by emailing us at solidarityfund@schoolsabc.net !

How much money can we ask for?

The Solidarity Fund will give a small grant of £60 per family. We will not be able to give larger or smaller grants than that.

What can we ask for money for?

The Solidarity Fund is for migrant families and families of colour who are facing hardship during lockdown, while children are at home.

If you need money to help your children access online education - for example for a tablet, simcard or data - you can apply to the Solidarity Fund.

If you have lost income from work to stay home and care for your children - for example, because you can't take paid time off - you can apply to the Solidarity Fund.

Can we apply more than once?

Yes. If your family still needs money to access online education or make up for lost income, you can apply again the following month.

How often will money be paid?

Schools ABC will meet every weekend with our partner Class Work to look at applications. Payments will be made soon after the meeting, each week. We will not be able to make payments more often than weekly, so depending on when you apply, you may receive a grant up to a week later.

How will we make sure the money goes to the people who need it?

We will make a simple guide to applying for a grant, and we will provide translated versions for people who need them.
We will reach out to groups who already work with the families we want to help, to publicise the Solidarity Fund.
We will usually pay grants directly into bank accounts within a week of application, as long as we have raised enough funds to make grants.
We will work with trusted local groups and networks to get cash grants to people who don't have bank accounts, or can't use the accounts they have.
We will accept applications from families who meet our criteria, who can't use their own names to apply. If you can't use your own name to apply, we ask that you use the name Alan Lomax.

When can we apply for money?

We will launch the crowdfunder on February 8th and grant applications will open on February 22nd.