islington giving - the house magazine

Kristina GlennDirector, Cripplegate Foundation

Islington Giving: An innovative approach to

local philanthropy

Islington Giving was inspired by Cripplegate Foundation’s 2008 report Invisible Islington which highlighted poverty and isolation that exists in Islington.

Islington: the factsIslington is a place of extremes where London’s richest and poorest

residents exist side-by-side, living entirely different lives:

• 46% of children in Islington live in poverty the second highest level in England

• 50% of deaths in Islington are premature, with poverty being the overarching factor

• Islington has the lowest life expectancy rate for men in London and 6th lowest for women.

• in 2007 Islington had the highest rate of male suicide in England.

“It is really noticeable living here what you don’t have, that makes it hard.” Invisible Islington report

What is Islington Giving?

Islington Giving is a campaign – for Islington people by Islington people – to raise £3million over three years to bring together residents, businesses and community groups to support 3 themes:

•Investing in young people•Tackling poverty•Confronting Isolation

Giving Money is vital to Islington Giving, but Giving Time is just as valuable so Volunteering underpins the whole campaign and we will recruit at least 500 new volunteers for Islington.

What is Islington Giving?

The campaign is a coalition of charitable trusts who want to work together in a unique and powerful partnership, using their knowledge of Islington to effect real change.

• The Breadsticks Foundation•City Bridge Trust•Cripplegate Foundation•The Morris Charitable Trust• Richard Cloudesley’s Charity•UnLtd •Voluntary Action Islington

Since our launch in September 2010 we have:• Raised over £1million to support projects in Islington

• Set up and funded a new grants programme of £500,000 in 2011 to support young people and invest in projects which tackle deprivation and isolation.

• Set up new partnerships with businesses such as BT and Macquarie Group to develop staff volunteering in Islington for the first time

• Endorsed by the Islington Council’s Fairness Commission

• Identified in the Government’s Giving White Paper as an innovative example of local philanthropy

• Raised the profile of the needs of Islington through involving residents, businesses, and community groups www.islingtongiving.org.uk

Tackling Poverty

• Help on Your Doorstep reach out to those living in social housing by literally knocking on their doors to tell them about, and connect them to the services that will improve their life chances.

“[They] are like guardian angels – they help with everything that I am unsure of or need help in.”

Investing in Young People

• The Saturday Night Project: We have opened Sobell sports centre on Saturday nights for the first time, a time when young people told us they wanted something to do.

“It’s good because there are lots of people there who are my friends, otherwise I’d just be sitting at home watching TV or playing on the computer.” Curtis 12

Our PlansWe will:

• Expand our grants programme reaching the poorest and most isolated in Islington, modelling solutions and effecting change

•Recruit more volunteers and encourage everyone to give

•Increase involvement for both individuals and businesses

•Fund more social entrepreneurs through our partnership with UnLtd

•Build lasting relationships between businesses and community groups to ensure a legacy of philanthropy

•Continue to raise the profile of Islington and its needs

Any QuestionsKristina.Glenn@cripplegate.org.uk

mail@islingtongiving.org.ukTwitter: @isgiv

Tel: 020 7014 5999