Guildford Philanthropy award grants to non-profit organisations including social enterprises, charities and voluntary groups, which tackle inequalities and help those most in need across the Borough of Guildford.

We support organisations that deliver education, skills and opportunities leading to employment. These grants enable charities to help those most in need, provide shortfalls when required, and to those providing opportunities and experiences, to broaden horizons, inform and educate.

Guildford Philanthropy was launched in 2014 by Guildford Borough Council and the Community Foundation of Surrey to inspire local philanthropy and create a permanent source of capital to support and benefit the local community by helping disadvantaged and vulnerable people on our doorstep develop their work skills and confidence.

These include:

• Supporting projects which offer training opportunities, offer work experience and/or encourage the development of new skills, particularly for those not in education or employment
• Supporting social enterprises, including their development and sustainability
• Supporting initiatives which work with the community to reduce inequality
• Increasing income generation by relevant charities and community and voluntary organisations, and to help them to become more sustainable

Grants may fund existing services or facilities, new initiatives and specific projects or can contribute to either capital costs such as funding new equipment or support on-going running costs.

Thanks to support from local businesses and fund-raising activities, Guildford Philanthropy has built an endowment fund which currently stands at over £660,000. The investment proceeds of which provide funds to award grants every year going forward in perpetuity.

We are very grateful to Guildford Borough Council, who provide match-funding support so that all donations are increased by 50%, boosting the help we can provide to our local community. Apart from a small admin fee to the Community Foundation, all funds raised go to support charities and organisations within the Borough of Guildford.

You can visit the Guildford Philanthropy website here for further information: www.guildfordphilanthropy.org.uk