The Unity Impact Grant has been set up through our employee-led ‘Unity & Me’ programme which was established to support staff to deliver positive outcome for employees, communities and planet.
Catherine Tierney, Credit Risk Manager at Unity and Head of Unity & Me’s Donations pillar, said: “Being part of a bank with a social conscience means that our values are at the heart of everything we do.
“Our voluntary salary sacrifice scheme and fundraising activities form part of the fabric here at Unity as we work to give back to society.
“This year marks Unity’s milestone 40th birthday, so we wanted to do something extra special to reflect the bank’s commitment to deliver positive social impact in local communities.
“Unity has increased its charitable donation contribution to sit alongside funds raised by staff this year to reach our £40,000 goal and we are excited to be able to launch the new Unity Impact Grant as part of that and offer customers the chance to apply for one of three £5,000 available.
“Our valued customers include charities, not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises and this scheme gives us the opportunity to support them even further.”
Unity has already supported multiple good causes throughout the year and we’re well on the way to reaching our 2024 target having so far allocated £20,500 to 24 good causes across the UK, including organisations that have been chosen directly by Unity employees.
Organisations that have benefited from Unity & Me support include Birmingham Hospice’s creation of a memorial garden at Selley Park; Smartworks which helps disadvantaged women into employment; Forever Manchester, a charity supporting grassroot community projects and London homeless charity Providence Row.
Staff fundraising activities include the recent Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge where 11 colleagues raised £3,700 by climbing Pen Y Fan, Cadair Idris and Snowdon inside 24 hours. This will be matched £2:£1 by Unity making a total of £11,100.
In 2024, Unity was honoured with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development in recognition of our work supporting socially-minded customers and our own commitment to delivering responsible business practices.
We were also named as one of the Sunday Times’ Best Places to Work.
