Founder Donors net £10,000 for pioneering community fund

Five founder donors have now stepped forward to kick start a new community fund for Worthing and Adur – and doubled their donations thanks to a unique Government match fund scheme run by Sussex Community Foundation.

Pictured: Four of the five founder donors on left – Caroline Nicholls, Vice Chairman Sussex Community Foundation, John Bunker, partner Thomas Eggar and on right Chris Coopey , Director Carpenter Box, and Chamber Vice President Karen Simporis of Henry House. (Photo courtesy of Keith Colin, Bees Knees Photography)

Each donor has given a grant of £1,000 – which means that the Worthing and Adur Community Fund has grown to £10,000 through the Grassroots Endowment Challenge. Every donation made to the fund will be matched pound for pound by Government, until the end of March 2011.

Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce is working with the Foundation to promote the permanent fund which, as it grows, will provide grants from the income it earns for charities and community groups, for years to come.

The chamber ambition is to raise £100,000 to create a local fund worth £200,000. To get the fund off to a good start it is seeking 25 founder donors prepared to give at least £1,000 each.

The five pioneers are Carpenter Box, chartered accountants and tax advisors; family run jewellery firm Pressley’s, which celebrates its centenary this year, law firm Thomas Eggar, Chamber Vice President Karen Simporis of Henry House. and Caroline Nicholls, Vice Chairman, Sussex Community Foundation.

Sussex Community Foundation has already given more than £100,000 to around local 40 groups in the area since it was first established in 2006 – this is money donated by local organisations and individuals keen to make a difference to local charitable and voluntary good causes.

Groups helped by the foundation include Mick’s Garage Community House Project, Worthing Churches for the Homeless, Worthing D and D Basketball, local branches of the University of the Third Age, Homestart Worthing and Adur, Worthing Panthers cheerleaders group and Worthing Childrens’ Parade.

The Foundation is a flexible organisation through which donors can support a variety of local projects. These are often smaller groups that are doing valuable work in the community but don’t have the profile or fundraising resources of larger charities.

Worthing and Adur is the first area in the county to work with the foundation to establish its own local fund through the Grassroots endowment scheme. More information about the scheme is available from Janet Ormerod of Sussex Community Foundation on 01273 409440 or janet.ormerod@ sussexgiving.org.uk.

Each of the founder donors is determined to make the scheme a success and is calling on other companies and individuals to join them in donating to the fund:-

Chris Coopey from Carpenter Box: “Our company celebrates 85 years as a Worthing business this year. The firm and its employees are passionate about Worthing and the surrounding area and raise thousands of pounds for local and national charities every year. The opportunity to contribute to and support the Worthing and Adur fund was therefore an easy decision and was the first donation from our own charity, the Carpenter Box Charitable Foundation. We’re proud to be the first corporate donor to the fund and want to encourage as many Worthing and Adur businesses to contribute too. That way we can reach the £25,000 target and attract the matched funding from government and build a lasting endowment for Worthing and Adur.

Charles and Neville Pressley: “ "Pressleys" are delighted to become a founder donor of the Fund in this the 100th anniversary of our grandfather opening his first jewellery shop in Worthing. The family have a long tradition of active involvement in local charities, large and small, and we welcome the opportunity that will be provided by the Worthing and Adur Community Fund to assist small charities and community groups:

John Bunker, Thomas Eggar: “ Our partners and staff have been actively involved in supporting local charities for many years, since we started as solicitors in Worthing in 1875. We see the Worthing and Adur Fund as a great way of helping people find the right local cause for their charitable giving, particularly encouraging smaller projects where a donation of £500 or £1,000 can make a big difference to valuable work in the local community.”

Karen Simporis: “I’m passionate about this fund. In my work running Henry House Hydro Therapy Centre and my involvement with local arts and community groups, I come across so many projects that could do even more with some financial support. This fund could give volunteers and charities that vital leg-up both now and far into the future. That’s why I’m putting my money where my mouth is and becoming a founder donor.”

Caroline Nicholls: “I’ve been involved with Sussex Community Foundation from the start and as soon as the grassroots initiative was launch, I’ve been determined that this area, where I live should gain from the opportunity this creates – that’s why I’ve had no hesitation in becoming one of the founder donors – knowing that my money, with others, can build a legacy of giving for generations to come.”

For more information: Caroline Nicholls 07836 342495 or Janet Ormerod, Sussex Community Foundation 01273 409440

Tuesday 8 December 2009

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