5 years of giving by Medway businesses

The Medway Corporate Giving Fund, run by Kent Community Foundation, has been distributing grants to local grassroots charities in Medway for five years.

During the last five years, in Medway alone, Kent Community Foundation has awarded over £580,000 in grants to 162 projects with a predicted 13,700 beneficiaries.

Charities that have benefited from funding through the Medway Corporate Giving Fund include; Medway Watersports Trust, Holding on Letting Go, Caring Hands in the Community, Café Sunlight CIC, HACO, Maidstone & Mid Kent Mind, All Saints Community Project and many more.

The Medway Corporate Giving Fund brings together Medway businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals committed to supporting their local community. The aim of the Fund is to connect socially responsible local businesses with innovative projects making a real difference in the local community and helping those most in need. It is this collective and proactive approach that is so powerful in bringing about tangible changes in the community and maximising the potential impact of each member’s contribution.

Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive at Kent Community Foundation comments: “Corporate social responsibility is no longer an activity just for large, multinational corporations. Businesses of any size can play their part in effective local giving and supporting their community. The Fund brings together local charities and business leaders in Medway to enable them to meet and encourage them to provide funding.”

Ann A. West MBE JP DL, said, "As a long-term resident of Medway I am proud to be supporting the Medway Fund. It is a straightforward way for local businesses to give something back and to be more engaged and connected with their community."

Each member makes an annual charitable donation to KCF, of between £1,000 - £2,500 which is pooled to create a collective fund. Twice a year, members come together via Kent Community Foundation to decide which local causes to support. This is a great networking opportunity for local businesses and people to find out more about the most pressing issues facing the local community and to discuss long-term needs and solutions.

Colin Jarvis, Chairman of Gillingham-based Power Generation firm MEMS, said, “The events provide great opportunities to meet with some brilliant local charities who are working hard within our community to make long-lasting, positive changes. I would encourage other Medway businesses to get involved and see how they can help make a real difference.”

Caroline Ford, Chief Executive of Holding On, Letting Go comments:

“We received a very generous offer of funding which will help us to make a difference to the lives of children and young people in Medway who are struggling with their grief following the death of someone close to them. It was fantastic to be able to meet the people behind the funding and talk to them about our organisation, and specifically our work in Medway and what their donation means to us. It was also great to make links with other organisations working in the Medway community and explore ways in which we may be able to work together.”

If you are a local Medway business or individual and would like to join the Medway Corporate Giving Fund to help make positive, lasting changes in your local community, please contact josephine@kentcf.org.uk or to donate, please contact us on 01303 814500.