Embark CSR launches first ever Leicester Giving Day
Annual event designed to promote corporate philanthropy in Leicester and Leicestershire
The first ever ‘Leicester Giving Day’ has been launched by social responsibility consultancy, Embark CSR.
Scheduled for Friday 18th November, Leicester Giving Day will be an integral part of the Leicester Business Festival and will also host the closing event of the festival.
Leicester Giving Day is a simple but impactful initiative that will enable companies and educational establishments in Leicester and Leicestershire to showcase their philanthropic support for charities and local communities. It will also bring the work of charities and community organisations to the attention of the public.
Leicester Giving Day Founders, Embark CSR Directors, Chris Shaw and Stacey Wragg say:
“We are creating a unique event to offer local businesses a platform to showcase their philanthropic support for charities and local communities by creating opportunities for staff and students to raise money, or give their time and talent, to help those in need.
“Leicester Giving Day will encourage local businesses and schools to devote Friday 18th November to showcase the work they do to support local charities and community organisations. Hopefully it will enthuse companies that haven’t started on this journey to see the benefits of giving back to their local community.”
Here’s how it works.
Ø Companies and schools will be encouraged to sign up for the day via the Leicester Giving Day website www.leicestergiving.uk
Ø They will commit to allocating time or resources to help staff and pupils plan a fundraising or gift in kind event to take place on the 18th November
Ø Projects will be showcased on the Leicester Giving Day website
Ø Businesses and schools will deliver their projects during Leicester Giving Day
Ø Proceeds from the Day will go to the charity or community group selected by individual businesses and schools
The Leicester Giving Day strapline is ‘Treasure, Talent and Time’ which means participants can raise funds, volunteer their services, or help out through gift in kind support, such as offering unwanted IT or office equipment.
Leicester Giving Day includes three more exciting components.
Throughout the day there will be four Charity Hubs operating in the city showcasing organisations that work to tackle issues such as financial poverty, mental health, arts and culture and support for science, engineering and maths. The Hubs will be open to the public and will offer activities, talks and insight into the work of up to 20 charities.
The Community Impact Programme (CIP) is a new idea designed to assist voluntary sector organisations with great ideas to benefit their community, and help to get them funded. We will be inviting applications from community groups with great ideas to support their local communities. Four winners will be announced at the Leicester Giving Day Gala Evening, and thereafter, supported by Embark CSR to raise funds from local companies and other sources up to a maximum of £25,000 per project.
David Nicholls, a director of Leicester Business Festival Community Interest Company (CiC) said: "We're delighted that Embark CSR are launching this initiative as part of the Leicester Business Festival 2022. Giving back is what Leicester and Leicestershire businesses do so well at. Their dedicated Giving Day will be a fantastic finale to the two week festival with even more positive outcomes for our community.
"The idea for the legacy programme initiated after attending the festival in 2021 so to see it come to fruition is fantastic. And will live on after the festival 2022 through the community impact programme to ensure year round benefits."
Voluntary Action Leicestershire will also support Leicester Giving Day. They will be able to advise companies about charities and community groups to partner, as well as playing a role in encouraging and supporting applicants to the Community Impact Programme.
VAL Executive Manager Kevin Allen-Khimani is looking forward to Leicester Giving Day: ‘All of us at VAL are excited for this amazing opportunity to highlight the tremendous work of the voluntary sector. Countless groups are delivering so much for local communities, however they operate just below the radar of many. This initiative will allow for groups to be seen and be supported to continue their vital support to those in need.”
Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation (LRCF) which works with companies, families and the public sector to give tracked grants, large and small, to vital local needs, is also connecting with Leicester Giving Day. They have a wealth of local knowledge around how to make a real difference with your money.
LRCF Chief Executive Katy Green says: “Embark's Leicester Giving Day is a great idea and a much-needed boost to help local businesses to support local charitable groups. Both sectors are feeling increased pressure. They seem so different in many ways, but what both local charities and local businesses of all sizes share is the aim for Leicester not just to survive but thrive through the current challenges. Social investment pays real dividends"
The Gala Evening will also see the recipients of the first Leicester Social Responsibility Awards designed to showcase the best of Leicester CSR.
Leicester Giving Day has already drawn widespread support.
Mike Kapur, OBE, Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire has given his backing: “Leicester Giving Day is a fantastic idea to help raise funds for local charities and local communities and to showcase the essential work which they do. I hope businesses in the city of Leicester and in Leicestershire will embrace it and take part, which I am sure they will. Leicester has a great reputation as a philanthropic city and Leicester Giving Day will surely help build our reputation. Good luck to all involved.”
East Midlands Chamber director of policy and external affairs Chris Hobson said: “We are delighted to back Leicester Giving Day. Research commissioned by the Chamber in association with the University of Derby in 2020 highlighted that two-thirds of East Midlands businesses engaged in social or community activities – with an increasing number seeing the benefits of giving back.”
For further information about Leicester Giving Day and how to get involved, visit www.leicestergiving.uk
