Vital Opportunities Fund

Corporate Giving

Many of the North East’s most respected businesses have worked with the Community Foundation to manage their community support. Working with us, local businesses benefit from:

• A more strategic approach corporate giving/philanthropy backed by the Foundation’s unrivalled knowledge and expertise
• Access to leading research on the region’s community needs (Vital Signs) and the charity sector
• The Foundation’s robust, tried-and-tested processes for making grants to community organisations, reducing the risk and increasing likelihood of desired impact
• A broad range of giving options and flexibility in the level of involvement in funding decisions
• Reports on the impact of a company’s giving to help with ESG reporting and PR opportunities
• Being in “good company” alongside numerous prominent North East businesses and families already giving through the Foundation, providing opportunities to collaborate
• Visits to community projects facilitated by the Foundation and support to engage employees
• Networking opportunities for your company’s leaders at unique and inspiring Foundation events

Backed by the latest research

The Vital Opportunities Fund is designed around our Vital Signs 2024 research, which outlines the role of philanthropy if supporting the following in our region:

Economy:

• Nurturing greater interest in entrepreneurialism
• Empower people from all backgrounds to become innovators
• Support people facing disadvantages to access more vocational education and training
• Support social entrepreneurs from marginalised backgrounds to provide wider economic inclusion

Education:

• Alternative pathways and vocational training are needed for those at most risk of becoming NEET
• Additional support is needed for high-attaining students from disadvantaged situations to ensure they continue on a pathway to success