Videos

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PERSONAL

Named Fund  - Anne Mildmay White Family Fund

As a long standing Devon family and owner of the Flete Estate in the South Hams, Anne wanted to give something back to area of Devon where she lives. A combination of a personal donation, money raised through throwing her gardens open to the public and a donation from her brother in-law's former Atlas Trust allowed her to set up her own Family Fund in 2008, using the Grassroots Challenge to match her original investment. The Fund supports older people and children in South Devon, with Anne helping to decide which projects receive grants.

"This certainly ranks as the best return for any investment I have made and will ever make - and of course has the added reward of providing support to causes I care about in South Devon."   

Named Fund  - Philip Milton 

Philip was born in North Devon and having lived there all his life is well aware of the problems of rural isolation, poverty and disadvantage which exist in this part of the county. A philanthropist at heart, he as always been involved in charity locally both as a Rotarian and Trustee of the Christian Centre. Philip set up his Named Fund as a personal and rewarding way to support the causes he cares about in North Devon.

"Working with the Foundation is too good an opportunity to miss if you want to give something back locally - and see the results of your giving right in front of you in your local community."

Acorn Fund  - Pete Yeo

Pete was already involved in supporting local community groups through The Funding Network - bringing philanthropists together at lunch events to hear direct from local, national and international smaller charities and pledging money to support specific projects. As a keen environmentalist, he will be growing his Acorn Fund to specifically help groups improving their local environment and using environmental projects to build confidence and skills in vulnerable local people.

"Working with the Foundation is a really personal experience and makes you feel good about your giving. They know how to reach the community groups doing great work which I would never even come across on my own. It also puts you in touch with other like-minded philanthropists and gives you an opportunity to discuss ideas with them. I also know that my Fund will  keep on giving forever which is brilliant ."   

In Memory Fund  - Laurie Connor Memorial Fund

When her husband died in 2008, Sandy Connor wanted to find a way to commemorate his life  and to support the things that were dear to him in his life. She set up the Laurie Connor Memorial Fund to support youth in rural areas in Devon, involving them in community gardening and watersports projects.

"The fund is an excellent way to assist very worthwhile causes that my late husband very much wanted to encourage" 

TRUSTS

Trust Transfer - Devonian Trust

The Devonian Trust was set up in 2004 to help those with physical disabilities in Devon.  However, with increasing difficulty in running a grant programme and the costs associated with this, the trustees decided to transfer their assets totalling £250,000 (including property and shares) to the Foundation to create the Devonian Grassroots Fund. The Foundation worked with the Trust's lawyers and the Charity Commission to ensure the smooth transfer and the Foundation now takes care of all administrative, grant making and investment activities, whilst still meeting the original aims of the Trust. 

"Working with the Foundation has been an ideal solution for us, helping us to meet our original aims without the cost, time and practicalities involved in running a trust." Lindsay Roderick, former trustee of the Devonian Trust.   

CORPORATE

Corporate Named Fund - Kitsons Solicitors

Kitsons Solicitors have four offices across Devon, with their main offices in Torbay. The firm recently set up its own Named Fund with the Foundation to enable it to support community groups in Torbay in the long term. Staff will help decide which local causes to support and will continue to fundraise to add to the Kitsons Grassroots Fund.

"We acted now as we knew the sum could be doubled through the Foundation's Grassroots Challenge. Setting up our own fund means we can make a long term committment to the local communities where we work. It's great to know as a local business, we can be part of building better and more caring communities in Devon." James Cross, Joint Managing Partner

www.kitsonssolicitors.co.uk

Acorn Corporate Fund - Western Morning News

To celebrate its 150th Anniversary the Western Morning News has set up its own Acorn Fund with both Devon Community Foundation and Cornwall Community Foundation to support local people in need across the Westcountry and tie in with its 'Think Local' campaign. The paper is growing the Fund through reader events and sponsorship from local companies (including St Austell Brewery who is selling an Anniversary beer with a % of profits to the Fund). Once the Fund has reached £25,000, it will begin grant making each year with readers helping to decided which community groups to support.

"The Western Morning News has a long tradition of championing our communities and helping those who cannot help themselves. Backing the Foundation seemed the obvious way to make a lasting difference to local people." Alan Qualtrough, Editor Western Morning News

Devon 100 Club Member - Savills  (Exeter Office)

Estate agency Savills (Exeter office) was one of the first members of Devon 100 Club, using it as an easy and cost-effective way of meeting its CSR responsibilities.

"It's a great way for us to connect with the local communities where we operate and to give something back." Martin Lamb, Director of Savills

PARTNERSHIP ORGANISATIONS 

Exeter Positive Steps Fund - Working Together

The Exeter Postivie Steps Fund was establised originally to move 'hard to reach' people, including the long term unemployed, ex-offenders, single parents, non-english speakers and those with disabilities, living in Exeter's most deprived wards back into employment and training. 

Original funding came via Devon Community Foundation from the European Social Fund and the Foundation was then charged with matching this. The Foundation joined in partnership with Exeter City Council, Devon County Council, the Department for Education & Skills and an independent chartiable trust to create the £350,000 Exeter Positive Steps Fund.

From January 2006 to March 2008, Exeter Positive Steps supported 50 projects run by community ahd voluntary groups helping 1,417 people back into work, training and volunteering.  The Foundation managed all grant making activites, working with a grant making panel made up of local people and representatives from the private, public and voluntary sectors in the City.

The 'hard to reach' groups found dealing with community groups less threatening and more accessible than ordinary job seeking routes.

Following its original success, the Exeter Positive Steps Fund continues to grant make using a combination of funding from Exeter City Council, Friends Provident and a local chartiable organisation. 

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