Lord Strathclyde, BPS Foundation Chair of the Trustees, commented: One of the founding principles in the development of Battersea Power Station is to ensure that the quality of life of existing communities is improved as the site is regenerated. The Foundation's launch is a hugely significant step for the shareholders and a commitment from them to make this principle a reality. The range of organisations and work the two grant-makings funds will support is wide and it will be exciting to see what we can achieve together.
Two grant-making funds have been set up by the Foundation to support community development across Lambeth and Wandsworth. Both funds are designed to ensure the benefits of the investment into the Power Station site are extended to its neighbouring communities in a meaningful and practical way. Projects seeking funding will need to work in one or more of these community development fields: Community Empowerment, Improvements to Well-Being, Increasing Economic Opportunity and Renewal of Communities.
The Spring Fund: is designed to assist Wandsworth and Lambeth community groups with their immediate work. The Spring Fund is now open for applications for grants of up to £5,000 per organisation, per annum. Funding decisions will be made throughout the year, on a regular basis. Organisations interested in finding out more about eligibility and funding criteria are invited to visit
www.bpsfoundation.orq.ukThe Evolve Fund: is the Foundation's strategic and discretionary larger grants programme that is expected to make its first investments towards the end of 2016. The purpose of this fund is for the team to seek out and make thoughtful and proactive investments over a longer time-frame to further assist Lambeth and Wandsworth communities to thrive. This work may result in awards to organisations with a wider geographical reach, but their work will bring practical benefits to communities in Lambeth and Wandsworth. The Evolve Fund will accept applications by invitation only.
Dato' Johan Ariffin, Chairman, Battersea Project Holding Company Limited, said: It is our corporate philosophy and responsibility to give back to the communities we operate in. We recognise the importance of creating shared value, which is a continuous journey and has equal prominence to profitability. This is why we ensure that corporate responsibility continues to be embedded and is second nature in all of our undertakings, contributing towards building a harmonious and caring community!' The Foundation team is led by Director, Barbra Mazur, who started working with the Trustees in July 2015 to scope the Foundation's remit, research local funding needs, establish the funds, test protocols and build a small team. Representatives from all seven beneficiaries of the Foundation's Learning Grants joined staff and Trustees at the launch event. Recipients of the BPS Foundation Learning Grants are:
- Battersea Arts Centre: £100,000 over one year to help the organisation to tackle the challenges of operating without its largest space, the Grand Hall and loss of income following a fire. www.bac.orq.uk
- Calus House: £75,000 over three years towards two administrator roles that will ensure core services can continue as Caius develops a new service, Alternative to Education Provision. www.caiushouse.orq
- Carney's Community: £75,000 over three years towards costs that support their expansion. www.carnevscommunity.org
- E:Merge/FAST: £75,000 over three years to help more young people on the Patmore Estate. www.emerceonline.org.uk/fast-london
- Katherine Low Settlement: £77,766 over three years towards the salary of a new post of Head of Service Delivery to support their growth plans. www.klsettlement.orq.uk
- Share Community Ltd: £75,000 over three years towards core costs, specifically the salary of the Digital Inclusion Manager's post to support the charity's capacity to develop new ways of working. www.sharecommunitv.orq.uk
- Rotary Club of Battersea Park Trust Fund: £1,000 over six months towards the 2015 Christmas lunch for disadvantaged elderly people in Wandsworth (n.b. this is a Learning Grant for the Spring Fund). www.rotaryribi.oro/clubs/homepaqe.pho?ClublD=763
Leader of Wandsworth Council, Ravi Govindia, said: The Battersea Power Station team has gone to great lengths to ensure local people feel the benefits of this ambitious regeneration project right from the start. They have forged links with all corners of our community, particularly within our housing estates and schools where they have been valued partners for many years. This foundation, and the generous grants it is making, goes even further and will be warmly welcomed right across Battersea.
Cllr Lib Peck, Leader of Lambeth Council, commented: Regeneration isn't just about bricks and mortar, it's also about culture, creativity and communities. The Foundation is a great example of giving something back and nurturing projects and people that make a place come to life.