A decade of charitable giving

14th March 2022

Over the past decade Saffron Building Society has awarded £100,000 to a wide range of local charities and voluntary groups.

In 2011, the local mutual established the Saffron Building Society Community Fund with the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation, to support local communities now and in the future.

Claire Hunnable, Community Business Partner from Saffron, said: “This is a significant milestone which we are pleased to celebrate, but it also reflects the continuing needs in our local communities.

“Setting up our endowed charitable fund with ECF 10 years ago has enabled us to bring all our giving under one banner and have a long-term approach.  ECF takes care of all the administration and presents us with details of groups looking for support.  A panel made up of our staff and members are then involved in discussions about which grants we will award.”

This year, the Fund has awarded £19,327 to nine local organisations. Among them are those that are helping people with a disability, are bringing people together to tackle isolation and supporting those experiencing financial hardship.

One of the recent funding recipients is Ending Life’s Taboo which offers rapid access to counselling and vital support for young adults aged 18 – 40 who have been told they have a life-limiting or end of life diagnosis.

Another grant went to the community Toy Library in Colchester, which gives local families access to free toys to aid the development and overall well-being of children. This funding has helped to cover their rent and insurance costs.

Claire added: “Every year, our Fund supports charities that are local to our branches and provide an essential service to people in their community.

“Working with ECF is helping us to learn about the wide range of charities and voluntary organisations and understand where our funding can have the most impact.

“Helping smaller, lesser-known charities is really important to us and our Fund is just one way that we give support.  We have launched Saffron Community Link a community space in Saffron Walden that can be used free of charge by local charities.”

To find out about ECF and how your business can give back locally in Essex, click here.