Rotary Club of Swindon North and Thamesdown celebrates 23 years of endowment

Wiltshire Community Foundation was delighted to attend an event hosted by the Rotary Club of Swindon North and Thamesdown on Monday to celebrate the organisation’s fantastic contribution to the community.

Led by President Steve Davison, the club are a small group of men and women who are committed to ‘service above self’, and have held an endowment fund with us since 2001.

Since then, the fund has given out thousands of pounds of grants to charities across Swindon, and the current value of the fund has significantly increased since the initial donation.

Community foundations are specialists in managing endowed funds, building a source of funding for the long-term benefit of the local community. Named endowment funds, such as the one held by the Rotary Club of Swindon North and Thamesdown, require a minimum investment of £5,000, and for funds reaching £20,000 and over, the donor can set requirements for what the funds are used for.

Our endowment is made up of multiple funds, which allows both individuals and groups to build a strong asset and create a lasting legacy to change the lives of those in their community long into the future.

Oliver Selfe, our Director of Philanthropy, was invited to the event as a guest speaker. He gave a general overview of philanthropy, an introduction to Wiltshire Community Foundation, and an update on the club’s endowment fund.

Talking about the impact of endowment funds, Oliver said: “The Rotary Club of Swindon North and Thamesdown is a fantastic example of how setting up an endowment fund with us can have such a lasting impact on lives within the local community, both now and for years to come.

“In just under 25 years since setting up their fund, the Rotary Club’s fund has awarded thousands of pounds in grants, and their fund has grown steadily from the initial value, set back in the early 2000s.

“We couldn’t be happier to be working alongside such a friendly group of people, who are committed to positively impacting the lives of those within our local community. We can’t thank them enough for their support”.

Speaking about the Rotary Club of Swindon North and Thamesdown’s endowment fund with Wiltshire Community Foundation, President Steve Davison said: “Rotary’s motto is Service Above Self and as a club we have always supported our local communities and charities. Our endowment fund is just one of the ways that we do this, and I think it is a really good idea.

“We donated the money back in 2001 and it is great to see how our fund has grown and the grants we have been able to give to local good causes. There are thousands of charities, so there is a lot to choose from. Wiltshire Community Foundation really understands the needs and issues facing our communities so help advise where the money goes, which is really helpful.

“By having an endowment our initial donation will continue to help support local people for years to come. I think it is wonderful. Wonderful.”

You can find out more about taking out an endowment fund with us here.

The Rotary Club of Swindon North and Thamesdown is currently looking for more members, and you can get involved by signing up via the ‘join us’ page on their website.

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