Our Endowment Fund at the Wiltshire Community Foundation
Giving money and support to the people in Swindon & district who need it most
Our Named Endowment Fund at the Wiltshire Community Foundation (WCF) works like a charitable trust but without the need for us to appoint trustees or handle the investments and administration
WCF Named Funds are subject to a minimum investment of £5,000 and a commitment to support the WCF's general grant making. Funds reaching £20,000 or more, such as ours, can be used to support issues and areas of the investor's choosing. We have stated that ours is restricted for use in the Swindon area only.
A total of £22,955 in donations was made to our Fund between 2001 and 2023 and the balance of our Fund as at 31 March 2023 is £27,443.09.
Grants totalling more than £5,000 have been made from it since 2015.
Our Fund Statement for the year ending 31st March 2023
In a letter to our Rotary Club Vicky Hickey and Fiona Oliver, the Joint Chief Executives of the Wiltshire Community Foundation, write:-
August 2023
"As one of our 160 endowment fund holders, you have enabled us to award grants of £2million and provide training, information and advice for small grassroots groups providing vital services to help people and communities in need. Together we have changed lives.
As we know from our experience of developing and growing our endowment, investments can go up, but they can also go down and 2022/23 was a difficult year. However, overall performance exceeded that of both the MSCI WMA Balanced and ARC Charity Index for the year to 31 March 2023. We are invested for the long-term and know that whilst periods of capital loss are disappointing, they are part of a cycle.
Our organisation continues to go from strength to strength and we are delighted to be on that journey with you. We remain committed to delivering on our strategic plan, to further develop our endowment as a long-term community asset and deliver £10million of funding, advice and support to help disadvantaged people in Wiltshire and Swindon. With many thanks for all your support and all that you do to help Wiltshire and Swindon thrive."
Some of the groups which the Rotary Club of Swindon North and Thamesdown has helped through its Endowment Fund at WCF are:-
- Prospect Hospice £200.00
Prospect Hospice provides end-of-life care for people in Swindon and northeast Wiltshire. Funding is helping them continue to provide their vital services to people in the final weeks and months of their lives. - The Mustard Tree Foundation - Starting Point £500.00
The Mustard Tree Foundation partners with other organisations to develop projects that reduce health and social inequalities. The grant is enabling them to develop their Starting Point mentoring project in Swindon which supports young people aged 15-25 who struggle with well-being and are not engaging in the wider community, employment, further education or training. - Swindon Sisters Alliance - £600.00
- Wiltshire Women Empowerment Programme - £100.00
- Swindon 105.5 - £50.00
- First Light South West - £100.00
- Reach Inclusive Arts - £125.00
- Phoenix Enterprises - £75.00
- Swindon Youth for Christ - £150.00
- Swindon Discovery Church Swindon - £150.00
- Wiltshire Sight - £150.00
- Friends of Abbey Meads School - £500.00
- Highworth Youth Nexus - £185.83
- Swindon Vixens - £89.27
- Wiltshire Law Centre - £175.41
- SUNS - £251.03
- The Olive Tree Café - £367.18
- Pathfinders Swindon - £135
- Prime Theatre Company - £350
- Swindon Therapy Centre for MS - £270
- Swindon Family Contact Centre - £138.29
Further reading:
Wiltshire Community Fund Website
Our Fund Statement for the year ending 31st March 2022
Our Fund Statement for the year ending 31st March 2021
£2,500 presented to the Wiltshire Community Foundation to add to the Club's named fund.....
Our Fund Statement for the year ending 31st March 2020
Our Fund Statement for the year ending 31st March 2019
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