The Heathrow Community Fund has donated more than £1 million to local community projects in the past two years. Its grants come from three sources – an annual donation from Heathrow Airport, donations from airport passengers and fines imposed on aircraft that breach noise limits.
It is part of an independent grant-making charity established in 1996 to support and strengthen local communities close to the airport, with Trustees meeting four times a year to review grant applications.
Heathrow Community Fund Director Caroline Nicholls said: “Many of our Trustees are from the communities around Heathrow and their local knowledge helps us to make sure our grants go to projects that will really make a positive difference to local life. We are keen to hear from potential trustees with experience in education and skills development or with a financial background in the charitable sector.”
More than £500,000 will be available for grants during 2013 – reaching out to support community projects in Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Richmond, Runnymede, Slough, Spelthorne, South Bucks and Windsor and Maidenhead. There are three grant streams:
- Communities For Youth - grants of up to £25,000 to support young people in their development in Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Slough and Spelthorne
- Communities for Tomorrow – grants of up to £25,000 for projects that help protect the environment or encourage sustainable development and eco education. Available in all boroughs.
- Communities Together – grants of up to £2500 for a wider range of smaller community focussed projects. Available in all boroughs
Recent grants have included:
- £50,000 for Mosaic to run a mentoring programme and enterprise challenge for secondary school students in Slough.
- £25,000 for a new volunteer room at the Willow Tree Centre in Hillingdon
- £25,000 towards the new Westside Youth Centre in Ealing
- £35,000 for youth projects at Waterman’s Arts Centre in Hounslow
- £20,000 for The Challenge Programme to support young people active in their local communities across West London.
More information about the fund is available at www.heathrow.com/communityfund
For more information about the role of trustee, email Caroline Nicholls at heathrowcommunityfund@heathrow.com
