Cheshire Community Foundation launches ‘game-changing’ giving scheme

Cheshire Community Foundation has launched a new giving scheme allowing more people to support life-changing local projects across the region - as the organisation announces a key milestone.

Love Cheshire will enable people to donate monthly from as little as £5, opening up local philanthropy to everyone for the first time. It’s the first scheme of its kind in the county, offering a one-stop way to give locally, similar to national charity appeals but focused entirely on Cheshire and Warrington.

The launch coincides with a major milestone for the Foundation, which has now awarded over £17 million in grants since opening in 2012.

Cheshire Community Foundation has been using local donations for local good for more than a decade, researching local needs, designing targeted grant programmes and carrying out due diligence on every organisation it funds. Until now, much of this work has relied on large donations, meaning this way of giving was only available to a small number of people.

Mel Sproston, CEO of Cheshire Community Foundation said:

“There’s one flaw in our process: sometimes a project can’t be matched with a donor. It could be a superb idea that just doesn’t have the emotional appeal of others. Love Cheshire donations will fill our ‘discretionary’ pot: the one we use for these overlooked applications. We know the people of Cheshire love supporting an underdog! 

“Despite Cheshire’s glamorous reputation, we're sure this is a place where kindness is more important than sparkle. We’re excited to open our work to everyone in the community, no longer just those with thousands or millions to give. We can’t wait to direct even more funding to even more life-changing projects for local people, and we hope this scheme can be game changing for us.”

Donations support a wide range of causes, from early years and family support to mental health, disability, loneliness, domestic abuse and ageing well.

Supporters can give monthly from £5, choose the suggested £30 per month – just £1 a day – make one-off donations, fundraise, donate in lieu of cards or gifts, or nominate Love Cheshire as their chosen charity.

Tom Kirk, Head of Grants at CCF, said:

“Most small charities are staffed by volunteers, and don’t have an army of fundraisers to help them; they rely on grant funding like ours to keep doing their vital work. You might never hear of them unless you’ve been helped by them. We see ourselves as their flag bearer and fundraiser, doing that hard work so they don’t have to. 

“One application to us might help keep the doors open for the year ahead or get a project off the ground that’s been needed for months. These are the heroes of our community, and we know local people will be moved and inspired when they hear their stories. So sign up to Love Cheshire and begin helping today.”

To join Love Cheshire, visit the website here.

You can watch a video about the work they do here...