Saffron Building Society doubles charity grant scheme
14th March 2023
Saffron Building Society launched the Saffron Community Fund 11 years ago and, for the first time since its inception, will open grant applications twice throughout the year.
In 2023, the Saffron Community Fund can also announce its largest grant sum – with over £75,000 being awarded in total throughout the year.
Applications for the first round of grants have now closed and the Saffron Community Grant Panel, which is made up of employees and members, can announce that 18 charitable organisations are set to benefit.
The successful applicants from the first round are 1st Chesterford Scout Group, Bishop’s Stortford Child Contact Centre, Bishop’s Stortford Youth Project, Braintree District Mencap, Colchester Gateway Club, Dig It Community Allotment, Herts Inclusive Theatre, Lighthouse Furniture Project, Newport Meet and Eat, Next Chapter, Rehabilitation, Education & Assessment Care for Hippotherapy, SNAP Special Needs & Parents Ltd, Stansted Mental Health Initiative, Support 4 Sight, Tabor Centre, The OutHouse, Wilderness Foundation, and Heads2Minds. Over £50,000 will be split among the applicants, depending on the amounts they applied for.
The Saffron Community Fund provides grants to charities, community groups, and volunteer organisations across the East of England. The fund is run independently, in partnership, with the Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
Claire Hunnable, Community Business Partner at Saffron Building Society, said: “It’s a real privilege to be able to support our local communities with the Saffron Community Fund, and to extend that support twice throughout the year for the first time brings us such joy. At Saffron Building Society we do the right things for the right reasons and reaching out to worthy causes across the East of England is paramount to us and our members.”
Caroline Taylor, Chief Executive of ECF, said: “The cost-of-living crisis is having a huge impact on local charities as they struggle to balance an increase in demand for their services with rising costs. The grants available from Saffron’s Fund with us will give them a welcome boost and make a significant difference at this challenging time.”
Find out how we can help your local business to give back in Essex, here.