We support non-profit events and voluntary groups located within our region. Donations or assistance tends to be on a one off basis and in order to make our support as effective as possible we focus on projects in areas where we have branches and can make the most impact.

What do we support?

• Projects which provide support for the homeless
• Projects helping people deal with debt problems
• Projects which help the elderly
• Projects which provide help to sick or disabled children and adults
• Projects which deliver a particular item or service rather than contributing to a general fund
• Projects in which Stroud & Swindon is the sole commercial partner

We will generally not consider projects which fall into the following categories:-

• Activities which are the statutory responsibility of government agencies or private companies
• Appeals which benefit individuals
• Conferences and Seminars
• Fundraising by third parties on behalf of charities
• Holidays or day trips
• Sponsorship of Individual Sports Clubs
• Large national charities that enjoy wide support
• Museums, galleries or music festivals
• Bursaries to support an individual’s education
• Political organisations, lobbying or pressure groups
• Profit making organisations (except for commercial sponsorship)
• Religious groups
• Sponsorship of events or appeals

Branch Charity Programme for 2010

The Society has 22 branches based in the South West and for 2010 they have each nominated their own local charity to support for the year.

Head Office Charity Programme

We also support a number of other local charities which meet our overall criteria as well as some major national events such as BBC Children in Need, Jeans for Genes and Comic Relief.

Affinity Savings Accounts

We have developed affinity savings accounts with the following:-

• Bath RFC
• Forest Green Rovers FC
• The Willow Trust
• The Cotswold Care Hospice