A great way to support the local community
by Penny Clover (Development Director)
29 June 2007
Many hundreds of organisations and thousands of individuals in Berkshire have good reason to be thankful to the Berkshire Community Foundation (BCF) who celebrated twenty one years of support to voluntary and community projects around the county.
Overall there have been more than £4.3 million in grants from Berkshire Community Foundation over this time. What a great way to suport your local community!
The Foundation’s AGM was held on 28 June in Arlington Business Park.
The Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Philip Wroughton and BCF Patron, who chaired the AGM noted the report Foundations’ work over the past year. He paid particular tribute to Jane Wates, retiring as Chair of Trustees.
"Jane has been in post, continuously as a trustee and supporter since 1991. In 1998 she was awarded the OBE for charitable services to the community. For the past 5 years she has been Chair of Trustees. During that time the Foundation has grown and developed, and now look what it is achieving!"
• £783,188 worth of grants – made under a range of different grant criteria
• To 376 Berkshire groups and 31 individual children
• To support families, young people as well as older or disabled people and those suffering disadvantage
• Grants are between £300 and £3,000 - even a little can go a long way.
"We started from nothing," says Jane Wates. "But now we have an endowed Capital Fund of £3.3 million which enables the Foundation to continue to support the groups addressing local needs, now and into the future. This is even more essential for small groups which are subject to changes in policy and budget restrictions from other funders."
"What we said we'd do in 1985 is what we are doing now in 2007. I am proud of the fact that Berkshire Community Foundation has had a real impact on so many local charities and the people they help in Berkshire."
Philip Wroughton commented, "I believe the County holds a pride of place in the hearts and minds of those who live or work here. Although it may surprise some, there are many, many places and groups needing our help. It’s no use shrugging our shoulders at the state of our society. The small groups we wish to support are crucial if we are to reverse the apparent decline – so Local Giving for Local Needs is what we are all about”.
