A new charity has been launched in Swansea. The Swansea Bay Foundation aims to strengthen local places and improve lives by providing grants and donations to groups and good causes that make a real difference to people across South West Wales.
It’s a way for successful local businesses to give something back to their communities and maximise the positive impact of those donations by working together.
The Swansea Bay Foundation will work in partnership with groups that make a difference to people’s lives across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, in particular the committed volunteers who make a real difference in their local communities.
Conceived by Penderyn Whisky director Nigel Short, The Swansea Bay Foundation’s partners are Penderyn Distillery, Short Bros Homes, Morganstone, Castell Howell Foods, CK Foodstores, Morgan LaRoche Solicitors, iCreate, Hygrove Homes, Duraseal, Days Motor Group, RD Group and Peter Lynn & Partners Solicitors. Together, these twelve regional businesses are the Founding Partners of what they hope will become a valued local institution.
Speaking at the launch of the charity at the new Penderyn Whisky Distillery at Swansea Copperworks on July 18, Swansea Bay Foundation founder and Penderyn Distillery director Nigel Short said:
“The Swansea Bay Foundation is a chance for businesses who have got an involvement in Swansea and the wider region, to give something back. And although times are difficult, and we’re all concerned about what is a very difficult economic environment, those of us who are privileged really need to think about those who are not privileged enough.
“There are a lot of organisations that have really dedicated people who give a lot of their time for nothing – and they are the ones who need our support. They are the ones that we will be going out to find. This is about finding organisations who have volunteers out there working hard, making a difference on the ground, and supporting them. The purpose of this is to improve the communities we all live in.”
The charity’s administration partner is 4theRegion, a community interest company and membership alliance working to bring about positive change in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
Dawn Lyle, trustee of The Swansea Bay Foundation, and co-founder of 4theRegion, said:
“The Swansea Bay Foundation is a collaboration of local firms, and we hope the fund will continue to grow with the support of a wide range of businesses across South West Wales.
“We are looking forward to receiving applications from local groups and organisations that align with our three funding priorities. We want to support community development projects that help strengthen communities; environmental improvement projects that make places greener and more resilient; and activities that support vulnerable people to live good lives in our communities.”
Mike Kavanagh, development director at Short Bros Homes, added on behalf of the board of trustees:
“The Swansea Bay Foundation is built on family companies who’ve got a bedrock in Swansea and the region, and children working within their businesses, who are going to grow those businesses and move them forward. Those are the companies we wanted as founders.
“We are now ready to start receiving applications for funding, and we are excited to get started.”
Groups and organisations with charitable purposes can apply for between £500 and £5,000 to spend over three years. The Charity will support up to 20 organisations in the first year, and the online application form is now open at swanseabayfoundation.co.uk.
