The DWF Foundation

The DWF Foundation is a UK-based nonprofit grant-giving organization established by DWF, a global legal business. The Foundation's primary aim is to provide funds, resources, and support to help communities achieve their full potential, focusing on a broad range of social issues including homelessness, employability, education, environment, and health and wellbeing.

History and Mission

Founded in December 2015, The DWF Foundation embodies the values and culture of contribution central to DWF's corporate ethos. Since its inception, the Foundation has acted as the focal point for DWF's charitable giving, distributing grants to support various community-focused initiatives. The Foundation is committed to ensuring that every penny raised is directed towards good causes, with all operating costs covered by DWF to maximize impact.

By April 2019, The DWF Foundation had awarded over 230 grants, totaling more than £500,000. This philanthropic capacity was significantly enhanced in March 2019 when DWF donated 1.8 million shares to the Foundation following its successful listing on the London Stock Exchange. This endowment allowed the Foundation to expand its grant-giving program not only in the UK but also internationally.

Objectives and Activities

The Foundation targets projects that:

• Address specific community issues such as homelessness and employability.
• Support voluntary and community groups to become more effective.
• Encourage the involvement of individuals often excluded from community participation.
• Enable young people to develop skills that benefit their communities.

Its grant-making also encompasses education, environmental sustainability, and health and wellbeing, reflecting a holistic approach to community support.

Since its launch, The DWF Foundation has granted over £1 million to numerous charitable organizations, facilitated by fundraising activities and donations from DWF and its corporate social responsibility committees operating across DWF’s offices.

Governance and Operations

The Foundation is managed by a board of trustees — numbering eleven — and engages over 300 volunteers. It operates with a commitment to transparency and accountability, with charity reporting up to date and all trustee positions being voluntary without remuneration.

As a grant-giving body, The DWF Foundation does not operate trading subsidiaries and focuses solely on philanthropic activities aimed at improving social outcomes within its areas of interest.

Financials

For the financial year ending March 2023, The DWF Foundation reported a total income of approximately £190,210 and expenditures of about £314,953. The excess spending demonstrates the Foundation’s commitment to deploying its resources for greater community impact, supported by DWF’s coverage of operational costs.

The DWF Foundation represents a significant charitable endeavor originating from the corporate sector, demonstrating a sustained commitment to social investment and community development across various vital areas in the UK and beyond[1][2][3][5].

[1] https://dwfgroup.com/en/about-us/dwf-foundation [2] https://dwfgroup.com/en/about-us/dwf-foundation/grant-giving [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1191347&subid=0 [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5045765 [5] https://causes.benevity.org/causes/826-1157229?lang=en