21/06/12

By Andrew Holt

The Bank of Scotland Foundation has launched an innovative new £100,000 programme aimed at boosting community volunteering programmes across Scotland.

The Volunteering Grants programme will augment the Bank of Scotland Foundation’s existing programme which has distributed over £2m to over 450 charities since its launch in November 2010.

Working closely with the Lloyds Banking Group Volunteering Programme, the initiative will ensure the Foundation provides Scottish charities with not just funding, but also the manpower to really make a difference to their local communities by engaging Lloyds Banking Group colleague volunteers.

Underscoring its commitment to the new programme the Foundation will allocate £100,000 to support community volunteering projects.

The programme, open for two months from 20 June 2012, will see charities receive up to £20,000 to deliver a volunteering project.

Kate Guthrie, chair of the Foundation's Board of Trustees and HR director, Insurance, Lloyds Banking Group commented: “Our collaboration of funding and Lloyds Banking Group colleague volunteers puts us in an exceptional position where we can provide significant benefits for charities beyond funding alone.

"We're looking forward to receiving applications from a range of charities and will be looking to support those who demonstrate they can make a real difference to the lives of people and communities.”

Last night at a reception in the Scottish Parliament, a group of 100 guests, including Scottish charities, business leaders, MSPs and media gathered at Holyrood to learn about the Foundation’s success and speak to some of the Scottish charities that have benefitted through the Foundation’s programmes over the last 18 months.

The Bank of Scotland Foundation is an independent charity supporting people and their local communities across Scotland.

The Foundation receives £1m annually from Lloyds Banking Group to fund Grants Programmes and a Matched Giving Programme.

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