Unity Trust Bank launches annual grants programme with £50,000 of funding available
Unity Trust Bank’s grant programme has returned for a second year – and this time a total of £50,000 will be distributed through 10 awards of £5,000.
Launched today, Monday 1 September, eligible customers are invited to apply for funding to support projects and activities that deliver positive social, economic and environmental impact in their communities.
Joshua Meek, chief impact officer at Unity Trust Bank, said: “As a social impact bank, supporting worthwhile causes through grant making, fundraising, volunteering and charitable donations is an integral part of delivering inclusive growth for our communities.
“To mark our 40th birthday last year, and to deliver even more positive outcomes for society, we launched our Unity Impact Grant scheme, and six customers benefited from a £5,000 grant.
“For 2025, we’re delighted to increase that grant funding to £50,000, meaning we can support even more organisations committed to improving people’s lives.”
Last year’s successful recipients were Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, Bee Wirral, Futureproof Cumbria, Compass Disability Services in Somerset, Baby Basics in Leicester and Harbour Ayrshire in Scotland. The grants were used for a range of community and environmental projects.
Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife used their grant to make improvements to their nature reserve and outdoor classrooms to improve access to nature for children.
Alison Gardner, head of fundraising and communications, said: “Thanks to Unity’s funding, we’ve been able to restore the firepit, install a new wet bench – something young people specifically asked for to help with washing up after bushcraft activities – and refurbish the balance beam and wiggle ‘n’ weave trail.
“These changes are already making a difference for the children and young people who visit Greno Woods.”
Futureproof Cumbria used their grant to improve their customer relationship management systems.
Karen Mitchell, CEO, said: “It’s really hard to get funding for governance and operational projects so Unity’s grant was particularly valuable as it was unrestricted, so we could use it where it was most needed.”