One of Huddersfield’s biggest employers is offering grants and expert help to community groups and not-for-profit organisations.
Linthwaite and Slaithwaite-based STADA Thornton & Ross, the company behind household brands such as Zoflora, Covonia and Savlon, has opened applications for its new Community Catalyst Fund, with both cash grants and skilled expertise on offer.
Groups and non-profit organisations in the HD1 to HD7 postcodes whose work benefits the local community can apply for individual grants of £200, which will be awarded every two months.
Grants of up to £1,000 for larger scale ventures will be available quarterly, and there will be one real ‘game-changer’ event sponsorship grant of up to £1,000 up for grabs all year round.
The STADA Community Catalyst Fund also provides the opportunity for groups to apply for an expert skills and advice session with a specialist in a field such as marketing, finance or HR, who can help them advance their organisation strategically – to deliver, for example, a presentation, attend a workshop or help develop interview skills within the organisation.
Whether the venture focuses on health and wellbeing, community engagement, education, social action or developing a sustainable community – the fund is open to applications from any local non-profit organisation helping the wider Huddersfield community.
The Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Cahal Burke, met with managing director, Nigel Stephenson, culture and people business partner Matt Robinson and the STADA Thornton & Ross team at the company’s Globe Mill offices in Slaithwaite, to kick off the initiative and learn about how it will help local organisations.
Become a patron and help Huddersfield Hub thrive, grow and spread the positivity
Speaking of the fund, Mr Stephenson said: “We are delighted we can give back to our local community with the launch of our Community Catalyst Fund.
“The fund reflects our ambition to strengthen those brilliant local organisations that make such a positive impact to our community’s wellbeing. We hope it will help sustain small local groups doing so much to enrich our community with their great work.”
Clr Burke said: “It’s very heartening to see businesses step up and give back to the community they and their employees live in, and the STADA Community Catalyst Fund is a great example of a company doing just that.
“It could offer local organisations the potential to advance projects that have been held back because of a lack of funds, or skills and expertise, or even kick start a brand-new venture to benefit the Huddersfield community, enabling local people to help other local people.”
A poster campaign with information about what the STADA Community Catalyst Fund offers and how to apply is being distributed to libraries, doctors’ surgeries, schools, supermarkets, churches and other community hubs to reach into the heart of the local community.
Interested community groups and non-profit organisations in Huddersfield can apply for grants and support through the STADA Community Catalyst Fund on the STADA website.
An independent selection panel, consisting of several locally based Thornton & Ross employees, has been appointed to ensure the eligibility of applicants and the awarding process for successful applicants is appropriately centred on the impact and sustainability of the initiatives.
For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.thorntonross.com/about-us/stada-community-catalyst-fund
