Skills Investment Fund
The Skills Investment Fund forms part of our Business Champions in the Community initiative.
As we continue to grow, we know that our success is founded on the support that we have achieved from individuals, businesses and statutory bodies. Our supporters have chosen to use Essex Community Foundation to direct their charitable giving to local Essex charities, and this commitment has been hugely significant. Generous grants of over £10 million have already been given to hundreds of community organisations throughout the County. We have also built up an endowed fund of some £8.3 million. This fund is a community asset, which will be here in perpetuity.
In particular, our work with businesses has highlighted the concern that there is often a gap between skills that are required and those that job applicants have to offer. Also as Essex continues to develop there will be new skills that are required to enable Essex to continue to prosper. Gaps exist in both life and practical skills.
Contributing to our Skills Investment Fund provides an opportunity for business leaders to become champions, take ownership of this issue, and therefore create a vehicle to make a real difference to the skills base throughout the County.
Our knowledge built up over the past 11 years of organisations within the voluntary sector who deliver improvement to skills, means that Essex Community Foundation is well placed to facilitate this initiative. Two example projects are the Gazelle Project in Rochford and the Community Self-Build project in Harlow (see case studies below).
But what does being a Business Champion in the Community, supporting the Skills Investment Fund for Essex require me to do?
- We are asking for a commitment of £1000 per annum for three years.
Our aim is to initially attract 300 businesses throughout the County to support this initiative. This would provide a fund of approximately £1 million.
What will the Business Champion in the Community get in return- Recognition of the support given through press releases and Essex Community Foundation website.
- A certificate formally identifying the support.
- Detailed information on a regular basis highlighting progress and impact.
- Invitations to events, which will be held to recognise support and detail progress.
- The opportunity to visit projects, to see at first hand the differences which are being made.
- Identify known and new organisations within the voluntary sector, which need support to deliver the skills that are required.
- Accept and vet applications for funding support.
- Work with those organisations to understand their plans and monitor their work as we move forward.
- Assess and analyse the impact that the funding creates.
Click here to become a Business Champion and invest in the Skills Investment Fund
Essex Community Foundation
121 New London Road
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 0QT
General tel: +44 (0)1245 355947
Fax tel:+44 (0)1245 346391
Alternatively, please complete the form below and we will contact you.
