Celebrating "Grassroots" Philanthropy

The historic Long Gallery at Englefield played host to a successful evening on 26^th November celebrating “Grassroots” Philanthropy in Berkshire. The event was highlighted by a series of inspiring speeches from Matthew Bowcock, Chair of Community Foundation Network, Harry Henderson, former High Sheriff and Foundation donor and The Hon. Mrs Bayliss, Lord Lieutenant of the Royal County for Berkshire and Foundation President.

Over 100 guests attended the reception including the High Sheriff of Berkshire, Dr. Christina Hill-Williams, local MP Richard Benyon, representatives from a number of local businesses including Mars, Prudential, KPMG, Foster Wheeler, Redwood Technologies and Blandy and Blandy as well as a number of private donors and supporters. The aim of the evening was to thank our donors for their support of voluntary and community groups across the county and a chance to hear about the difference our grants are making to local children, families and individuals.

A number of community groups who had been the beneficiaries of Foundation grants were also in the audience. These included Olympic medalist Debbie Flood and Lizzie Webb of TV AM who spear head Creativity in Sport which offers ex offenders and other young people at risk of social exclusion the opportunity to achieve a fitness teaching qualification. DVD’s from Slough Homeless Our Concern and Rivertime Boat Trust helped to further showcase the work of the Foundation.

The evening was also an opportunity to draw attention to the Grassroots Grants programme; both its success and the ongoing challenges. Lesley Chambers, Head of Programmes at Community Development Foundation who manage the programme said:

“Listening to Matthew Bowcock’s speech, I really can see how far the Community Foundation Network (or movement as the buzz word goes) has travelled since its’ inception in the 1980s. Berkshire Community Foundation can really be proud of the work it is doing, especially with the Endowment Match Challenge in these difficult times.”

Click here for a copy of Matthew's speech

Click here for a copy of Harry's speech

Click here to see photographs of the event