We are committed to being a flexible funder

29th March 2023

We have signed up to be an open and trusting grantmaker, as part of an initiative from IVAR that is supported by London Funders and developed in collaboration with a small group of UK foundations and charities.

IVAR are calling on funders to adopt simpler, more flexible practices that make life easier for those they fund, in light of the ongoing uncertainty caused by Covid-19. Their ambition is to see these commitments extend beyond the crisis: to become standard practice in the sector.

We are one of over 100 funders who have signed up to the eight commitments and joined a community with other funders and charities to improve practice together.

As a group, we are all working towards the following eight commitments:

1. Don’t waste time – funders will be open, transparent and clear about all of their priorities, requirements and exclusions.

2. Ask relevant questions – funders will test their application forms to ensure clarity, relevance and avoid repetition, only collecting information that genuinely informs a funding decision.

3. Accept risk – funders will clearly explain how risk is assessed and be realistic about how much assurance applicants can provide.

4. Act with urgency – funders will aim to make decisions as quickly as possible by publishing and sticking to timeframes to ensure they work at a pace that meets the needs of applicant.

5. Be open – funders will provide feedback, including reasons for rejections. They will analyse and share relevant data, including publishing success rates.

6. Enable flexibility – funders will aim to give unrestricted funding; where they can’t (or are a specialist funder), they will ensure their funding is as flexible as possible.

7. Communicate with purpose – a funders contact is positive and purposeful. They will be realistic about their time commitments.

8. Be proportionate – funders will ensure that their formal reporting requirements are well understood, proportionate and meaningful.

You can see who else has signed up, read more about these eight commitments and sign up through IVAR’s website here.

Vital services funded to help Ukrainian Refugees in Essex

23rd March 2023

The Ukraine Refugee Support Project was launched last year, following the invasion of Ukraine. Since then, under the management of Essex Community Foundation, it has helped local charities and community organisations across the county that are providing support for refugees arriving into Essex.

This funding project focused on preparing support for refugees arriving from Ukraine, supporting the direct delivery of services for the refugees and developing longer-term support for their integration.

Among the Essex organisations to receive funding are:

• Unpuzzled Theatre Company (pictured) received £2,800 to adapt a traditional Ukrainian folktale into an interactive theatre workshop for children, young people, and families of the Southend community. This supports community cohesion and building understanding locally of a different culture, and for the refugees taking part, it aids their learning of the English language and making friends.
• Ukrainians in Thurrock Community Group were awarded £2,235 to run a range of activities for refugee families in Thurrock. This includes art, chess, and language clubs.
• Welcome to the UK received £7,000 towards their running costs so they can continue supporting migrant and refugee families in Southend.
• Volya Ukraina received £2,500 to run a community hub for Ukrainian refugees in Colchester, where they can feel safe and welcomed. Activities include mental health therapies, to art and music workshops.

Though a year has passed since the invasion of Ukraine, its impact will undoubtedly last for many years to come, continuing to inflict suffering on the millions of displaced Ukrainians around Europe.

Sadly, Ukraine is but one of the many countries facing conflict and discrimination around the world, with thousands of people being forced to flee their homes every day. The work being done by community organisations in Essex is helping to ensure displaced individuals and families escaping conflict and discrimination get the help they need.

Rosemary Macdonald, CEO at UKCF, said: “These UK projects are vital to the long-term inclusion and integration of refugees and asylum seekers who are hoping for a safer life. They did not choose this direction and should have every opportunity to feel welcomed and included in their new communities. With flexible funding from partners like the Freemasons’ charity, these essential services can continue to provide this support and help people to rebuild their lives.”

Les Hutchinson, Chief Executive of the Masonic Charitable Foundation, the Freemasons’ charity, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to offer significant aid to many Ukrainians who have arrived in this country. They have abandoned everything in a country grappling with the consequences of a catastrophic conflict, and I am proud that the assistance provided by the Freemasons is making such a difference.”

Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: “Arriving into a country where you may not have been before, to a language you might not speak fluently, and needing to rely on others for help, is overwhelming. Charities are helping people to find their way, to build support networks and to settle into their new communities. Funding like this from the Freemasons’ is supporting their vital work, and we are pleased to work with them to get grants out to Essex groups.”

To apply for funding, click here.

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 1^st 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.”

Apply for a grant here.

Find out how we can help your local business to give back in Essex, here.

Douglas Allen Estate Agents support local community with vital funds

10th March 2023

Since January, Douglas Allen Estate Agents have donated £100 to local community food banks every time they attend a property valuation to help support their local communities with the growing cost-of-living crisis.

The cost-of-living crisis has been affecting so many and Douglas Allen Estate Agents have, once again, put their charitable foot forward to help local community food banks in Essex and Kent.

So far, the campaign, led by Group Managing Director, Aldo Sotgiu, has raised over £750,000, helping over 90 individual food banks.

Aware of the impact that the cost-of-living crisis was having on families over winter and following the success of their £1 million campaign for Barnardo’s Children’s Charity at the end of 2022, Douglas Allen estate agents knew how important it was to go even further. That’s why they continued to donate £100 for every property they valued, with a focus on food banks and local community pantries.

On top of these generous donations, their agents have been visiting their local food banks to learn, volunteer and raise awareness of the local food banks in their area.

Douglas Allen have been supporting their local communities, providing support to local charities through their local community foundations and in partnership with The Paul Rooney Family Foundation, for many years now.

Group Managing Director, Aldo Sotgiu said “It has been a truly humbling experience for all of us to learn more about how food banks support our local communities. To be able to support and provide in a way that gives back to our community is a great feeling and there is still so much more help we need to give over the coming months. I just want to take this opportunity to extend a huge thank you to all our staff and customers who have made this possible.”

This won’t be the end of charitable endeavours for the estate agents as, for the second year running, they will be supporting vital funds for their charity partner, The Children’s Trust, and are planning a year filled with charitable activities and challenges.

We are proud to work with them on this emergency support and to get grants out to food banks in Essex.

Apply for a grant here.

Find out how we help businesses to give back in Essex here.

Prestigious awards ceremony recognises local charities

9th March 2023

Over 20 local charities and voluntary organisations that address crime, community safety and anti-social behaviour received recognition and grants at the High Sheriffs’ Awards.

Among the projects receiving funding is support for families who have experienced domestic abuse, safety sessions for young carers and setting up a youth forum for the LGBTQ+ community.

Around 180 guests attended this year’s ceremony held at Hylands House in Chelmsford with support from Essex County Council, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and Chelmsford City Council.  BBC Essex presenters, Steve Scruton and Ian Wyatt, announced the award winners and conversations were broadcast live throughout the evening show.

Trophies, certificates and 23 grants totalling £38,000 were presented by the outgoing High Sheriff of Essex, Nicholas Alston CBE DL.

The grants came from the High Sheriffs’ Fund, which was established to give credit to local initiatives that address crime, community safety and anti-social behaviour, and is managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF).

Nicholas Alston CBE DL, the 842^nd of High Sheriff of Essex, has visited voluntary organisations around the county during his year of office, learning about their work and presenting certificates of recognition to dedicated volunteers. He said, “The Awards ceremony is a wonderful occasion and gave me, and the other attendees, the chance to acknowledge more publicly, and to reward, some of the outstanding work being undertaken by groups of all sorts around the county, that help build and sustain safer communities.

“These organisations often work with those who are vulnerable or marginalised and, at a time of a growing cost-of-living crisis, sadly their needs are increasing. I had the privilege to visit many of these groups during my year, to learn about their work, and to thank them.”

The organisation presented with the coveted High Sheriffs Shield was St Vincent de Paul Society, in Southend, for their work supporting people who are homeless.

Other trophies presented on the night were:

• The High Sheriffs’ Cup, presented to Kool Carers for their safety sessions for young carers in Basildon and Brentwood.
• The Essex County Council Bowl which recognises voluntary organisations that work in partnership to deliver programmes, was awarded to South Essex Advocacy Services. They are raising awareness of financial abuse for those who have been a victim of this crime in Southend, working with the Police, the Council and other local organisations.
• The Essex County Fire & Rescue Shield, which recognises an organisation’s work with young people, was awarded to The Outhouse. They are establishing a youth forum for the young LGBTQ+ community across Colchester and Tendring to help address concerns, increase well-being and improve community understanding.
• The Essex Police Cup, given to Alpha Vesta to pilot a programme supporting families who have experienced domestic abuse.

Since the High Sheriffs’ Fund came under ECF’s management in 1997 it has distributed grants totalling over £700,000.

Caroline Taylor, chief executive of ECF, said, “We work with successive High Sheriff’s to ensure this funding gets out to local charities and voluntary groups that are working in their hearts of their communities, so they can help tackle crime and safety issues”.

On top of the £38,000 being presented from the High Sheriff’s Fund, ECF will award an additional £114,000 to the charities from other funds under its management.

The office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year. The High Sheriff receives no expenses and the role comes at no cost to the public purse.

A full list of all grants presented at the Awards can be found here.

Photos can be viewed and downloaded here.

Essex women giving back to their local community

8th March 2023

Republished with permission from Essex Life.

Women are making their mark in Essex by using their skills, energy and entrepreneurial drive to make life better for people in the county.

An increase in the number of female philanthropists who have the insight, desire and financial ability to help others has meant that more money is being channelled towards issues affecting women.

With the month of March incorporating International Women’s Day (on 8 March) the focus is on promoting equality and creating opportunities for women to improve their lives.

Here we highlight two community-minded women who have committed to giving long-term support to local voluntary organisations in Essex by setting up their own charitable funds with the independent trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF).

Lara Fox

Talented young businesswoman, Lara Fox, is Managing Director of Objective, a family-run Essex tech agency offering software development, data analytics and consultancy services.  She is also mum to two children aged 1 and 2.

In 2019, she won the Institute of Directors, Young Director of the Year Award for the East of England, which recognises leadership talent.  Lara also has a Certificate in Professional Marketing from CIM and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Essex.

Lara, who lives in Great Baddow, said: “Taking over my family business was a big step, but incredibly important to me.  My mother, Cath, set up the business and we have all worked hard to make it successful.

“Supporting our local community is important to us both individually and as a business. In 2016, we decided to do something more permanent and set up the Honalee Fund with ECF.

“We focus our giving on charities in Chelmsford and have supported projects helping people who are homeless, a youth club providing activities for young people and group sessions for teenagers who have survived cancer.”

Nicki Alvey

Nicki Alvey had a successful career in marketing and senior management roles in both the private, commercial and not-for-profit sectors.

In 2002 she broadened the scope of her social endeavours when she was appointed as a Magistrate for North Essex.

In 2015, she set up her fund with ECF, called the ‘Nicki Alvey Bazlinton Trust’, with a focus on supporting women who have experienced abuse, helping young women to gain skills and confidence and reaching out to older women who might be suffering from isolation in their own homes.

Nicki, who lives in North West Essex, said: “I have seen throughout my life, including my time as a Magistrate, how women can be unfairly impacted by what is happening around them.  I hope that the grants I give out annually from my fund with ECF will help Essex women and girls to get the support they need and achieve their full potential”.

Recent grants from Nicki’s fund have supported a counselling service for survivors of domestic abuse and to provide online creative workshops for young girls who are at risk of sexual exploitation.

Research shows that:

• Single women tend to donate more often than single men.
• Women usually favour making long-term regular donations to the same charities, whereas men prefer to make larger, one-off donations and are happy to be guided by friends and business contacts as to who to support.
• Women want to give back to the causes close to their heart and will look to build a relationship with a charity.

 GET INVOLVED

Whether you’re a local charity or resident or a business wanting to make a donation, we would love to hear from you.

Contact us on 01245 355947 / hello@essexcf.org.uk

Read more about giving back locally here.