In our third full year of operation, we are proud to report another period of significant growth and impact. We have approved 145 grants totalling nearly £2.38 million, building on our commitment to support people in need across the UK and around the world. Thanks to the remarkable work of our charity partners, this funding will directly impact 130,000 people and indirectly benefit many more.
In terms of our funding principles, The Foundation continued to focus on charities which fit into one of our three funding pillars.
Our Funding Pillars
Bridging the Digital Divide
Organisations that prioritise the mitigation of the digital divide by supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable people through digital education and resources, as well as better access to computing facilities and services.
Access Charities of the Year
Charities that have been selected as The Access Group charities of the year, with specific projects or activities.
Employee Nominated Charities
Organisations that a member of staff of The Access Group has either experienced significant support from (either for themselves or a close relative), or contributes a significant portion of their own time in supporting.
Significant Growth
This year has seen the extension of the latter two pillars into supporting environmental concerns. The UK split its funding towards two charities of the year, one of which was the Marine Conservation Society. Our scheme for employee nominated grants also enabled The Foundation to support organisations running environmental projects which Access employees are passionate about.
All pillars saw continued investment this year. The continued passion of our employees remains a core driver of our grant-making, with a significant number of organisations receiving funding through our employee nomination scheme. We were delighted to see nominations from across our global locations, including the UK, Ireland, Romania, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.
Commercial Expansion
The expansion of our Charities of the Year programme continues to be a major focus, enabling us to forge deeper partnerships with leading non-profits. This year, we supported ten incredible charities, funding large-scale projects addressing everything from childhood cancer and mental health to marine conservation and refugee support.
Funding Opportunities
Our funding for Bridging the Digital Divide projects remains our largest pillar, with over £1.3 million invested in helping disadvantaged people gain the skills and access needed to thrive in the digital world.
SIM Cards & Refurbished Laptops
In addition to monetary grants, we have expanded our in-kind support. In partnership with The Access Group, we have distributed over 250 refurbished laptops to numerous charities. We also continued our partnership with Vodafone, providing prepaid SIM cards to help vulnerable individuals stay connected.
