Santander wins 'Pioneering Philanthropist' award

19 June 2012

The Community Foundation for Merseyside announced Santander as the 'Pioneering Philanthropist of the Year' at the Spirit of Merseyside Awards this week in recognition of the bank's innovative new community investment scheme created to support social enterprises.

Cathy Elliott, Chief Executive of the Community Foundation said: "The Spirit of Merseyside Awards provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the contribution of many individuals and organisations across Merseyside who are helping to make a real difference in their local communities. Santander was recognised for their efforts to create a new challenge prize to help social businesses to grow in these tough times."

The Santander Social Enterprise Development Awards are targeted at established social businesses working to address social inclusion, employment or creating a greener environment. There are three prize levels - £50,000, £30,000 or £15,000 - dependent on turnover, for organisations with the potential to increase their community impact but in need of a financial boost.

Sharon Squire, Head of CSR, Santander, said: "The Santander Social Enterprise Development Awards are part of Santander's commitment to small businesses. Social enterprises play a vital role in local communities, delivering social and economic regeneration, and through the scheme we're helping those with the potential to expand their work."

In 2011, the scheme was piloted in three regions in the UK, including Merseyside, and the results helped to shape a UK-wide programme launched this month with a £2.3m prize fund.

Alongside the prize money, winning social enterprises receive access to support from Santander including mentoring programmes, funding for internships and university business courses and training.  Winning organisations also receive valuable input from their local Community Foundation which works with them to assess the social impact of their business and the prize fund on local communities.

The Spirit of Merseyside Awards are the region's largest annual community awards and the star-studded ceremony was held on Thursday 14 June at St. George's Hall, Liverpool with guest speaker Cherie Blair. Former Olympian Steve Smith and Para-Olympian Mark Eccleston also attended the evening to present awards to some of the region's most outstanding community groups and philanthropists.

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For further information please contact Santander: Sharon Squire 0207 756 4197

Notes to editors:

Spirit of Merseyside Awards

For more information on the Spirit of Merseyside Awards, please visit: www.cfmerseyside.org.uk/spirit - the ten 2012winners were:

  • The Health and Wellbeing Award (sponsored by Medicash) - The Open Door Centre
  • The Pioneering Philanthropist of the Year Award (sponsored by Rathbone Investment) Management - Santander
  • Environmental Impact Award (sponsored by BHP Billiton Petroleum) - Amadudu
  • Social Enterprise Award (sponsored by BWMacfarlane) - Squash Nutrition
  • Community Cohesion Award (sponsored by Peel Ports) - The Parent Hub
  • Emerging Philanthropist of the year award (sponsored by Deutsche Bank) -Members of Merseyside 100
  • Children, Young People and Families Award (sponsored by Shop Direct Group) - Ykids
  • New Reality Special Recognition Award - Amy and Friends
  • The Project of the Year Award (sponsored by Hill Dickinson) - The Open Door Centre

About Santander

Banco Santander is a retail and commercial bank, based in Spain, with a presence in 10 main markets. Santander is the largest bank in the euro zone and is among the top fifteen in the world by market capitalisation. Founded in 1857, Santander had EUR 1.383 trillion in managed funds, more than 102 million customers, 14,760 branches - more than any other international bank - and 193,000 employees at the close of 2011. Santander UK plc is a full-service retail and commercial bank providing services to 25 million customers, with more than 1,300 branches and 28 regional business centres. 

About the Social Enterprise Development Award

The Awards are targeted at established social enterprises (more than two years of trading) looking to grow their business and working for the direct benefit of their community via one or more of the following outcomes: Improving communities via social inclusion; Supporting disadvantaged people through training, skills and employment; Creating a greener environment. The Award includes three prize levels:

  • £50,000 for social enterprises with a turnover of £250,000 - £500,000
  • £30,000 for social enterprises with a turnover of £150,000 - £250,000
  • £15,000 for social enterprises with a turnover of up to £150,000

www.santanderseda.co.uk