The BWB Community Fund is a new initiative launched on 01 April 2024.
BWB Technologies is committed to donating at least 0.5% of company turnover to the fund in the first year of operation, with a target to increase this to a minimum of 1% of turnover in the second year. We are excited to start directly supporting our local community and we are eager to see the outcomes of some of the amazing projects that we will support.
Our Managing Director, Hozan Edwards, is a passionate outdoor instructor in his free time and having spent numerous weekends in the great outdoors as a youngster himself, realises the significant value of these experiences for both mental and physical wellbeing. As a cadet instructor dedicating an average of 68 days a year to supporting the local unit and school, he is keen to endorse these great experiences for those that may otherwise struggle to access them. He believes that a business should do more than just consider the stakeholders and employees, and has established this fund to support our local community.
We are offering cash or product grants valued from £50 to £500 to individuals, community groups, schools, and organisations within a 20 mile radius of our offices at RG14 5TL. Our support is designed to encourage and enable people to get outdoors and have great, formative, experiences; e.g. giving a cash grant to a school to fund transport costs or paying for new buoyancy aids to replace aging kit at a cadet unit.
There's no limit to the number of times you can apply for an award. We welcome multiple awards over time and each award is assessed on its own merit. The only criteria we apply in making awards is that the project meets the funding criteria and our eligibility criteria.
If you know of a deserving project, or think you’re someone that only needs a bit of backing to make a big difference, it’s simple to apply.
WE SUPPORT
Diversity and Inclusion projects that engage individuals and groups from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Education projects such as First Aid, D of E and NGB qualifications.
Environmental programmes that seek to support, conserve or generate understanding of our environment and wild places.
Health projects that enable people to gain physical and mental wellbeing from the great outdoors.
Participation projects that get more people experiencing the great outdoors.
SOME EXAMPLES
Support of outdoor educational programs; e.g. grants for outdoor First Aiders or Mountain Leader Training that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.
Support for proactive conservation and environmental projects; e.g. community gardens and allotments or grants to help re-wild woodland and protect our wild places.
ELIGIBILITY
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Primary base of operations within a 20 mile range of our offices in Newbury (RG14 5TL).
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Application meets our funding criteria.
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Outcome of the funding offers a positive and attributable impact to the community.
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You meet our ‘organisation’ criteria and are applying as one of the following:
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Individual
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Community group
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School
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Charity
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Not-for-profit organisation
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We love to support:
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Diversity and Inclusion projects that engage individuals and groups from a diverse range of backgrounds.
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Environmental programmes that seek to support, conserve or generate understudying of our environment and wild places.
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Health projects that enable people to gain physical and mental wellbeing from the great outdoors.
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Education projects such as First Aid, D of E and NGB qualifications.
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Participation projects that get more people experiencing the great outdoors.
We will not support:
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Holidays
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Charity challenges
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Commercially led travel expeditions
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Scout Jamborees (although we will support local scout activities)
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Retrospective applications – ensure you submit your application on time
TIMING
Applications are evaluated on a quarterly basis so it is important that you allocate enough time to submit your application. Application review dates for the 2024-25 financial year will be conducted during the weeks detailed below. If your application is received after the review date then it will not be reviewed until the next date. You will be notified of your application outcome within 2 weeks of the review date. Due to the number of applications, we will not be providing individual feedback and all decisions are final. If you are unsuccessful you may apply again for the following quarter.
Scheduled review dates: weeks commencing July 01 2024, Sep 30 2024, Dec 30 2024, Mar 31 2025.