The Fortus Foundation was set up in 2024 with the purpose of supporting small local charities and community groups across Yorkshire with small grants, and helping businesses engage in positive social impact – helping more people be able to do some good in the world!
The Foundation was created by Fortus — an accountants and business advisory firm based in York— with a strategy created by Head of Foundation Matty Lewis, who drew on his experience as a voluntary trustee of local men’s mental health charity, Menfulness.
So what does the Fortus Foundation do?
They recognise that funding for smaller charities and community groups is limited, so provide grants of between £500-£10,000 for specific impactful projects, to charitable causes with an annual turnover of less than £100k.
Whilst traditional grant application forms can take substantial amounts of time, they’ve worked hard to simplify that process. The idea is to help volunteers and staff for charities and community groups to be able to focus their energy into their where it’s really needed, and not 20-page application forms. A Fortus Foundation application form is a one-pager that takes a little time as possible.
Along with that, the impact reporting (normally a lengthy process of communicating the positive changes an organisation has made) that any grant recipients have to complete is also on Fortus’ plate – they use a videographer to create a 3-minute video, telling the story behind the funding and the true impact the grant has made. This video is almost like free marketing for them, shining a light on the amazing work they do in a tangible way.
Through a campaign called #GoGiveOne.
Fortus asks a business to commit 1% of their annual profits into the Foundation, and they do the leg work. They support a vast range of charitable organisations all across Yorkshire, giving them the impact reporting videos so they can shout about their commitment, and they join a family/network of fellow 1%ers all doing some good in the world.
Becoming a 1%er is as simple as setting up the Direct Debit, with no agreement or contract. It’s flexible support in a really rewarding way.
Just like everyone one else, most businesses are passionate about making a difference in our community, but either don’t know how, have the heartache of deciding which charities to support, or don’t want to take away from their productivity.
So how are these projects funded?
GoGiveOne is there to makes life easier for those businesses — eliminating that stress so that every business can put all their spare effort into those vital causes.
Everybody involved wants to feel connected to the charity they’re supporting. That’s why – owing to the Fortus commitment of 1% – they are covering all the running costs of the Foundation, meaning every penny donated goes directly to the causes.
Of course, they love other means of fundraising too, with the Foundation registered on JustGiving and Foundation merchandise available on our website – www.fortusfoundation.co.uk.
If you’re a business and would like to sign up to the Fortus Foundation head to www.fortusfoundation.co.uk or call 01904 558 300.
Add a comment