The Equilibrium Foundation, part of Wilmslow-based Equilibrium Financial Planning LLP, has announced the latest winners of its Community Support Scheme, which regularly awards grants to charitable organisations across the North West.
Established in 2015, the scheme gives charities in the local region the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £500 twice a year, when five winners are chosen.
The latest winners of the scheme are:
Manchester-based Bridging the Gap, which operates the Manchester South Central Foodbank providing services to people living in Hulme, Moss Side and Whalley Range. The charity aims to tackle food poverty and the grant will help the organisation to cater for increased demand and provide continued support to the community.
Theodora Children’s Charity, which helps to improve the wellbeing of children living with illness, disability, and serious health challenges through the power of laughter. The grant will enable 45 children in North Manchester General Hospital to receive a visit from one of the charity’s Giggle Doctors, specially trained performers who help to bring joy and laughter in a time of need.
The Children Today Charitable Trust which helps children and young people with disabilities across the UK to achieve an improved quality of life through living independently, accessing everyday activities and reaching their full potential. The support from the Equilibrium Foundation will enable them to support more children with adapted equipment, allowing them to spend quality time with their families.
Child Bereavement UK, an organisation helping children, young people, parents and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or following the death of a child. The grant will go towards the North Outreach Programme, enabling the charity to support more families in Greater Manchester.
Missing People, an organisation providing specialist support to people who are missing, and their family and friends. The Equilibrium grant will help to safeguard its Missing People’s Helpline and ensure that the charity can continue to offer support and advice to all those affected by disappearance.
Debbie Jukes, partner at Equilibrium and trustee of the Equilibrium Foundation, said: “The whole team at Equilibrium is passionate about making a difference to those in our community and beyond. The Community Support Scheme is one way that we can share our appreciation for the organisations doing vital work in the region and hear about the charities, and inspirational people running them, who might otherwise not get the recognition they deserve.
“We look forward to receiving the next round of applications and finding out more about the wonderful organisations sharing our vision to enrich lives and better our community.”
The deadline for the next round of applications is the 3rd of September 2023 and all not-for-profit organisations working to improve the lives of people in the North West are encouraged to apply. Eligibility criteria and application information can be found here.
The Equilibrium Foundation has also just launched its inaugural Equilibrium Foundation Grant Awards. This year’s theme is child poverty, so charities working to tackle this across the North West, with a turnover of less than £1m, are invited to apply. Applications close on the 26th of May.
