TheBusinessDesk.com announces year-long charity partnership with Leeds Community Foundation

A year-long charity partnership between TheBusinessDesk.com and Leeds Community Foundation is to start kickstart next month.

TheBusinessDesk.com has chosen the Leeds-based charity as it first annual charity partner, which will see several events hosted by TheBusinessDesk.com raise money for The Leeds Fund, which was launched by the community foundation in 2016.

The Leeds Fund accepts contributions from individuals and companies wanting to support the city in which they live and/or work. Responding to a variety of needs across the city, the fund distributes #GiveLoveLeeds grants of up to £2,500, as well as larger Strategic Grants of up to £25,000, and Micro Grants of up to £500 to support new and emerging community activity across Leeds.

In the coming year, the Leeds Fund will focus on loneliness and inclusion and the partnership will see the two organisations work closely on several events and editorial opportunities. Kayley Worsley, Yorkshire editor at TheBusinessDesk.com will also join the fund’s panel and there will be several ways in which TheBusinessDesk.com will further contribute to the partnership throughout the year, including support with the launch of the charity’s new strategic partnership.

Kate Hainsworth, Chief Executive, Leeds Community Foundation, said: “We are delighted that TheBusinessDesk.com is partnering with The Leeds Fund in 2018 and supporting Leeds Community Foundation in helping to bridge the gap between those in need and those with the ability to help. The Leeds Fund supports a wide range of vital interventions creating a big overall impact each year. In 2017/2018 The Leeds Fund distributed over £690,000 in grants to over 116 community groups, benefiting 17,406 people.

“Larger strategic grants are also distributed to grass root organisations who are able to support the city’s priority needs. With over 9 million people in the UK ‘often’ or ‘always’  lonely, the 2018 strategic focus for The Leeds Fund is Loneliness and Inclusion.”

The first TheBusinessDesk.com event which will raise money for The Leeds Fund will by the Yorkshire Leadership Awards, to be held at The Queens in Leeds on November 28. Nominations for the awards are open until a week tomorrow – Friday 28 September.

Worsley said: “We are delighted to be working with Leeds Community Foundation and specifically contributing to The Leeds Fund. The grants awarded to the range of community organisations through the Leeds Fund make a real and tangible difference to so many people’s lives and we are really pleased to support their new strategic priority of loneliness and inclusion.

“We are really looking forward to raising funds and awareness about the charity and its great work over the coming 12 months.”