During 2008, LGIM has provided its expertise, time and support for various Third Sector organisations that have had influence upon our thinking within the business.
The Foundation for Social Improvement (FSI) – came to the attention of Legal & General as a good example of how we could successfully contribute to helping small charities survive and grow during tougher economic times using our commercial expertise. The FSI’s purpose is to support small charities and encourage their growth.
“Each year nearly 4,000 charities close their doors and thousands of individuals lose their support, in many cases their lifelines. Of the £45.9bn of charitable income in 2007, 81% went to the top 3% of charities. Why?”, says Kim Van Niekerk, Director of the FSI.
In response, the FSI is developing the ‘Greenhouse’ which will be a building where small charities can find the resources, expertise and training to become the independent and accountable organisations they long to become. Charities will grow and will, therefore, benefit from the ‘Greenhouse Effect’. LGP used its contacts and agencies to create an Investment Brochure for potential investors to understand and pledge support.
Woodland Trust – Legal & General Property has been working with the Woodland Trust to advise on strategic access to land so that it can be used to achieve their aims of planting woodland. We are also investigating whether there is an opportunity for the Woodland Trust to look at the option of managing woodland in our commercial property developments in the future.