On 6th May 2020, after over one month of nationwide lockdown, and many painful losses, the Museum Detox Executive Committee set up a fundraising campaign following an internal consultation with our membership. What was initially an effort to support colleagues on freelancer and/or zero-hours contracts who had lost their income, to make ends meet, became an avenue to support over 50 people within the Museum Detox network, thanks to the generosity of many of you!
Since May, we have raised over £8,400, which has supported over 50 members of the network who are experiencing financial hardship at this time.
With increased redundancies and unemployment affecting many of our members, we are continuing our fundraising, as an important lifeline for those who are unable to access other forms of financial help.
We ask you to continue supporting us by donating what you can. We accept offline donations and online donations via our Go Fund Me campaign. To learn about how to make an offline donation, please get in touch via museumdetox@gmail.com.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the fund?
The fund was set up to support Museum Detox membership during these difficult times, to help them with their basic needs. While we do not police how fund holders use the money, we encourage and prioritise applications from members who are in financial hardship, as outlined in our fundraising statement. We invite you to take note of this when applying. If you have specific questions, get in touch via museumdetox@gmail.com.
Who is eligible for hardship funding?
Any member of Museum Detox can apply. We ask six ‘yes/no’ questions to help prioritise
funding, but anyone can apply. If you are not sure, get in touch via museumdetox@gmail.com.
How much is awarded as a hardship grant?
We are currently offering grants of £150.
When is the deadline for applications?
Applications are reviewed every two weeks, the deadline is Friday 1pm. We aim to assess the applications over the weekend and to get back to applicants early the following week with a decision.
Who will see my application?
A small working group of the volunteer executive committee and non-executive committee members are currently reviewing applications.
The Fundraising Lead manages applications and enquiries and anonymises applications ahead of review. This person then acts as a facilitator rather than a decision maker in the assessment process.
Can I apply to the fund if I have an income?
Yes, we do not ask for your specific income, and understand that there may be other
stresses on your household’s finances. So far, we have awarded funding to a number of
people who are still earning (albeit at a significantly reduced rate). Applications from people with no income will be prioritised.
Can I apply if I have not been unwell or immunocompromised?
Yes. Although applications from people who are differently-able, immunocompromised,
or chronically ill will be prioritised, the fund is open to all Detoxers.
How will an award affect my application to Universal Credit?
We do not have the expertise to offer advice on Universal Credit or other forms of benefits.
However, please note that this award is a charitable gift, and not earned income. We can
offer this ‘gift’ via bank transfer or in the form of supermarket vouchers.
How can I donate to the fund?
We accept online and offline donations to the fund. To donate online, please visit our gofundme page. For offline donations, please get in touch via museumdetox@gmail.com. We appreciate your generosity.