Impact Report Winter 2023

Between November 3rd 2022 and November 30th 2023, AGCF granted over £14.5 million to over 200 charities.

Our mission at The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation (AGCF) is to support charities across England and Wales, the Isle of Man, and the Republic of Ireland, ensuring that valuable projects are provided with funding to maintain their inspiring work. By remaining focused upon our specific funding priorities and directed by our Founder’s dedication to social responsibility, we aim to continue our work in support of those charities whose vision most closely aligns with that of the Foundation.

Charity Spotlight: Salford CVS

Our largest grant of 2022/23 was made to Salford Community Voluntary Services, to whom AGCF is committed to grant a total of £2.25 million, starting November 2022, for their Learning, Skills, and Work Initiative for those most in need of support in Salford.

Salford CVS represents the city-wide voluntary, community and social enterprise programmes of Salford. Their goal is “to promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the public principally but not exclusively in the local government area of Salford”, and to do so by encouraging and facilitating “co-operation and partnership”.

These goals are captured brilliantly by their Learning, Skills, and Work Initiative, the delivery of which will be undertaken by 5 ‘core’ charity partners (Salford CVS; Mustard Tree; Groundwork; Salford Loaves and Fishes; The Broughton Trust), augmented by spot-purchased specialist provision. In addition, a small grants fund for charities that can deliver in support of this programme will be developed and managed by Salford CVS – this will help the programme remain responsive and flexible to those who most need support.

The project is designed to reach those furthest from employment in Salford, aiming to tackle generational unemployment and provide wrap-around support to participants, and in so doing affect real social change.

The project is able to provide food bank support, ESOL and adult educational programmes, and domestic support within the Salford CVS ecosystem, with each of the five core partners offering collaborative overlap. Through organised partnership, each of the five participating charities is able to refer individuals depending upon need and demand.

Individuals requiring a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card are referred to the Broughton Trust; Mustard Tree and Salford Loaves and Fishes are able to provide for participants in need of either food-bank or social support; Groundwork and Salford CVS are each involved in employability skills and social activation.

Furthermore, as a part of AGCF’s grant, Salford CVS are able to fund small grants to community-based charity initiatives focused on improving social agency and activating the population.

By the end of October 2023, Salford CVS’ Learning, Skills, and Work Initiative had recorded that 430 participants had join the programme with 180 participants completing at least 1 training course, 92 of these being accredited; 54 individuals were supported to secure paid work – 29 of those roles being permanent and 48 paying the real living wage.

Salford CVS: Learning, Skills, and Work Initiative

Philanthropy: In response to Orlando Fraser’s speech at the Charity Commission Annual Public Meeting, 2023

Philanthropy is at the heart of AGCF’s mission. Our Founder, Albert Gubay, was a man possessed by a great sense of social responsibility – recognised by the Pope for his services to charitable causes.

In his address to the Charity Commission Annual Public Meeting November 2023, Orlando Fraser referenced his own commitment, and that of the commission, “to the promotion of philanthropy”. His speech made clear that the wealthiest in our society should further commit themselves to charitable donations, especially during the national cost of living crisis.

AGCF is, and will continue to be, committed to the legacy of our Founder’s philanthropic and charitable donation; our mission statement and funding priorities reflect the vision of our Founder, to support registered charities across England and Wales, the Isle of Man, and the Republic of Ireland.

Orlando Fraser's Speech to the Annual Public Meeting

The Future

Looking ahead, the Foundation has received over 50 applications to the February 2024 funding round. As our priorities remain dedicated to our mission, we will continue to award grants to registered charities and support disadvantaged and in-need communities across England and Wales, the Isle of Man, and the Republic of Ireland.

We will continue to reflect upon our funding priorities and how they respond to the changing needs of our communities. As an organisation we recognise that we do not exist in a vacuum, and as such it is important that we give time to consider how best to maximise the social impact of our grants.

As ever, we will ensure that our grants are awarded to charities registered in England and Wales, the Isle of Man, and the Republic of Ireland, in order that those we fund may deliver valuable projects or services to support the most disadvantaged in our communities.

Special thanks and appreciation to the trustees and grants team at The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation.