Managed by the Heart of England Community Foundation, the new fund will offer grants of between £2,000 to £5,000 for projects that are making a real difference in local neighbourhoods - particularly those that are improving people’s wellbeing, strengthening community connections and protecting the environment.
The initiative forms part of IMP’s Sustainable Futures Framework, with funding criteria echoing the frameworks key pillars of People, Place and Planet. Through the fund, the company hopes to offer both long term social and economic benefits to the community.
Lewis Payne, Development Director at IM Properties, said: “The fund gives us a way to directly support grassroot organisations who we know from experience and our other funds do amazing work building connections and looking after the wellbeing of local people in our communities.
“We’ve already connected with Warwickshire based, Flourish, who support girls aged 10 to 18, in nurturing self-esteem and mental wellbeing. They joined us as a key speaker at our International Women’s Day event in March, and we hosted a Raising Female Aspirations workshop for the charity during the summer holidays at our HQ.
“Through the lifespan of the scheme, we hope to forge further links with local groups and ensure Stratford 46 becomes more than just another employment park, creating positive impact in the community, by giving both time and money to support local people.”
As part of the wider development, IM Properties has also secured planning for a 17-acre nature reserve, transforming agricultural land into a green habitat for wildlife and creating new open space for future occupiers.
Tina Costello OBE, Chief Executive of the Heart of England Community Foundation, welcomed the launch. She said: “It’s been a fantastic journey working in partnership with IM Properties since 2019. Their continued commitment to supporting grassroots initiatives has made a real and lasting difference and we’re proud to be working alongside them to help create positive community impact.
“IM Properties has a long-standing commitment to supporting the communities where it invests, and this new fund for Stratford 46 demonstrates their understanding of the importance of operating as a socially responsible business and giving back.
“We look forward to hearing from local organisations in the Stratford area about their projects and how they are looking to enrich people’s lives.”
