“Philanthropy is the intelligent and healthy redistribution of energy within a system that brings a higher harmony to that system, allowing it to fully thrive and transcend its own limitations.” _{Richard Rudd}

Empower Community Foundation (ECF) was founded in 2011 and has so far awarded grants of over £900k to over 50 community groups.

ECF is responsible for the selection, distribution, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of funds generated by Empower Community assets for the communities where our projects operate.

The means so far employed being a combination of Local Community Fund Panel, collaboration with the network of Community Foundations and latterly online fund matching service – ActionFunder.org. The key principle is to be able to directly support the areas of most need in any given community, build resilience and support vital services and respond to changing needs.

Objects of the Empower Community Foundation

Empower Community’s purpose and values are embodied in the constitution of ECF, a company limited by guarantee and a registered charitable foundation (registered charity number 1161019). The interests of all investors and participating communities, wider society and the environment are embedded and upheld within its constitution, designed to allow maximum flexibility for each locality to make its own decisions in relation to best application of support for that area, within the charitable objects of the Empower Community Foundation:

1. The advancement of environmental protection and conservation of the natural environment, particularly by promoting the reduction of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide, methane and any other gases that may be identified from time to time as having a global warming potential).

2. The prevention and relief of poverty, particularly by the reduction of energy bills, through the advancement and facilitation of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures.

3. The advancement of education, particularly in relation to energy, climate change and environmental protection and conservation.

4. Any other objects which are charitable for the time being under English law.

Historic Funding Provided

‘Empower Sunderland’

A Local Community Fund Panel was established in 2015, following the acquisition of 2,300 rooftop solar arrays on the Gentoo housing association’s estate in Sunderland through a £10.1m bond issuance by special purpose vehicle Empower Community Solar 1 LLP (ECS1) of which ECF is a designated member.

Since then, community grants distributed are over £500,000, with the same amount also having been donated directly to Gentoo Group.

100% of funds approved by the local panel, convened by Gentoo (see https://www.gentoogroup.com/support/empower-sunderland-local-community-fund/) are transacted directly to the recipient by ECF.

‘Empower Salisbury’

Wiltshire Community Foundation’s ‘Stronger Families’ programme has been the recipient of £125k from Drove Lane Solar Park CIC.

ECF was the first funder of the Stronger Families programme, which addresses family breakdown, child poverty and increasing levels of mental illness in one of the most deprived areas of Wiltshire – The Friary, Salisbury. This five-year project is working to develop much needed community cohesion and networks of support for local families.

An additional £75k of grant funding has been awarded to community groups since 2022 via online fund matching service – ActionFunder.org

‘Empower Angus’

Working with Foundation Scotland since 2017, £100k of grants from New Mains of Guynd Solar Park CIC, via its 100% owner ECF, have been awarded to a variety of local causes, including Voluntary Action Angus, Angus Care and Repair, Angus Carers Association, C.A.F.E. Project, a local schools project provided by Edinburgh International Science Festival Foundation and energy efficiency upgrades for a local community hall.

Additionally, a further £75k of grants have been awarded to community groups since 2023 via online fund matching service – ActionFunder.org

The historic examples above show how the deployment of the community benefit funds can be efficiently tailored to suit a range of local scenarios with different stakeholders, new or existing.