Saffron launches new Charitable Fund to benefit community groups
Committed to community support
In previous years Saffron Building Society has gone to great lengths to support local charities. In 2010, for example, the generosity of our staff and members meant that we were able to raise over £10,000 for charity.
This year sees the establishment of the Saffron Building Society Community Fund to take our support to new heights. The fund has been set up with Essex Community Foundation (a registered charity) who will administer the fund in accordance with the Society's wishes. Through the fund, Saffron aim to support causes in our region which are close to its members' hearts.
How much is available?
In December 2010 an initial contribution of £10,000 was inputted into the fund with a further £5,000 from the Government Grassroots Grant Scheme. Every year the society is looking contribute even more into the fund to help give the best support possible.
Saffron's staff will be fundraising for the Community Foundation, and Saffron's members are encouraged to raise more money through voting at the Annual General Meeting, meaning that the funds available to local charities and organisations will keep growing!
Who are we supporting and why?
Saffron will be supporting the elderly, children and young people, the seriously ill and local community projects. This is because earlier this year our members expressed, through the annual Members' Survey (April 2011), that these are the categories that they would like Saffron to support.
With these categories in mind, Essex Community Foundation will assess applications for grants and provide a short list of charities for consideration by Saffron's Advisory Group.
How to apply
If you are involved in any organisation in the East of England that suits the criteria, and would like to be considered for a grant, please complete the Essex Community Foundation application pack at: www.essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk.
Looking for Support for your Charity?
We try to support as many charities as possible throughout the year. Though our focus is currently on supporting charities through the Saffron Building Society Community Fund, if you have a project, event or good cause and are looking for help, we can support local charities in a number of other ways:
- 1. Loan of our Mobile Communications Vehicle
- Ideal for events, the MCV is an inexpensive PA and kitchen unit which has proved an asset to fêtes, sports days, dog shows, sponsored walks, and much more all over the region. Follow the link to find out more.
- 2. Manpower!
- Saffron employs around 120 staff, all of them highly talented and able to turn their hands to anything from painting to gardening. We are happy to consider sending a small team to get an important job done for you. 'Teambuilding' has never been so worthwhile. See our volunteering pages for more information.
- 3. Prizes, donations and sponsorship
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We get a lot of requests for sponsorship of events, sports teams, projects and more, and try to support as many as we can. If you'd like to make a request for support, think about:
- What would be most helpful to you - a donation, a raffle prize, or sponsorship
- Whether your project or event could acknowledge Saffron's support in some way
- Whether your organisation or the people within it have any special links to Saffron Building Society
You can email us at marketing@saffronbs.co.uk or write to us at our Head Office with your requests and ideas.
- 4. Savings Accounts
- It might seem obvious, but Savings Accounts are our business! We have a long history of supporting local good causes in managing their money, and offer some competitive accounts to help make your funds go further. For more information, visit our Corporate Savings pages - most of the accounts are open to charitable organisations or clubs.
