SDL Minorfern launches charitable foundation to support local charities
Family-owned vehicle parts distributor, SDL Minorfern has teamed up with the Matthew Good Foundation to launch the Minorfern Foundation, which will award grants to local charities and community groups.
When SDL Minorfern celebrated their milestone 45 anniversary earlier this year, they wanted to do something special to share their success with their local community. They saw an opportunity to support more local small non-profits, whilst encouraging employees to nominate who to support.
Small, local, well-run charities and non-profits transform lives every day but struggle to compete for funding. According to the NCVO Almanac 2023, larger charities with an income of over £1m per year are responsible for 83% of the charity sector’s income. Yet small charities have a tremendous impact, are agile, innovative, and well-placed in communities to help those most in need.
With a team of more than 320 valued employees, the newly created Minorfern Foundation has received a wide range of excellent nominations from SDL Minorfern employees for local organisations needing support, covering four main areas: Alleviating poverty, supporting children and young people, improving health and wellbeing, and caring for animals.
Nick Holland, Managing Director of SDL Minorfern said, “I am thrilled to announce the launch of the Minorfern Foundation on behalf of our entire team. Committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work, our foundation aims to support smaller regional charities that are truly making a difference.
“Over the next year, our team spanning 12 branches will select ten charities that have had a meaningful impact on either our staff members and wider families or great causes in our local communities.
“By the end of 2024, we aim to donate £40,000 and we look forward to actively contributing to these causes and creating a lasting, positive change in the regions where our business operates.”
Along with announcing the launch, the Minorfern Foundation has named the first two shortlisted charities to receive donations.
The Children’s Hospital Charity was nominated to receive £4,000 by the SDL Minorfern head office in Clay Cross, Chesterfield. The charity supports Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust to change lives every day.
The grant will support the specialist Pre-Operative Healthcare Team that cares for children and young people with complex health needs that require specialist care. The funding will be used to create a calming atmosphere and welcoming environment for patients and their families that will include sensory equipment, toys and books.
The Minorfern Foundation will be managed in partnership with the Matthew Good Foundation – a grant-making charity that aims to amplify the voices of small non-profits by partnering them with businesses, stakeholders and individuals seeking to deliver positive social impact.
Michelle Taft, Executive Director, Matthew Good Foundation said; “We are delighted to be working alongside SDL Minorfern as their trusted partner to help them achieve their charitable giving aims by launching the Minorfern Foundation. SDL Minorfern is a family business that wants to make a difference in the communities it operates in and it’s a privilege to be able to help them reach the small and local nonprofits they want to support. Small and local nonprofits make a difference in our communities, and initiatives like this are vital to helping local charities thrive.”
Further charities and non-profits will be announced as beneficiaries of the programme throughout 2024.
SDL Minorfern and The Children’s Hospital Charity support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
