Stagecoach - Giving For Good

Charity Number: CUSTOM_0EE0617C

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: 0.5% of pre-tax profits (variable amount)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Applications reviewed monthly (first Wednesday of each month)
  • Grant Range: Up to £500 (monthly Community Fund)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide (national and local programmes)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.stagecoachbus.com/corporate/sustainability
  • Application Platform: Neighbourly (www.neighbourly.com/givingforgoodstagecoach)
  • Address: 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 5TW
  • Note: Applications submitted via Neighbourly platform; specific contact details available on Stagecoach website

Overview

Launched in 2022, Stagecoach - Giving For Good is the charitable giving initiative of Stagecoach Group, the UK's largest bus and coach operator. The programme commits to donating 0.5% of the company's pre-tax profits annually to charitable causes across the UK. The initiative operates on two levels: national partnerships with flagship charities selected through employee voting, and a monthly Community Fund providing one-off support to smaller, local charities in communities served by Stagecoach. With over 24,000 employees across the UK, the programme has distributed grants through its monthly Community Fund alongside major partnerships. The initiative aligns with Stagecoach's broader sustainability strategy and demonstrates the company's commitment to supporting grassroots organisations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

National Charity Partnerships: Large-scale partnerships with flagship organisations

  • The original four national partners (selected in 2022 through employee voting) are Missing People, the Trussell Trust, Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity, and Happy Days
  • Additional major partnerships have included Age UK (£100,000 donation announced in September 2024) and Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (£25,000)
  • Multi-year partnerships offering both financial support and in-kind contributions (transport services, awareness campaigns)

Community Fund: Monthly grants for smaller, local charities (up to £500)

  • Applications reviewed on rolling monthly basis (first Wednesday of each month)
  • Submissions accepted via Neighbourly platform before the last Friday of each month
  • Note: Applications may be held and reviewed in subsequent months if better aligned with future strategic themes

Regional Funds: Area-specific programmes managed by local operating companies

  • Example: Stagecoach Greater Manchester Fund offers up to £2,500 for organisations with annual income under £150,000
  • Worthing Community Chest partnership: 10 grants of £250 each (£2,500 total donation in 2024)

Priority Areas

The fund focuses on four key themes:

  1. Promoting health and wellbeing - Supporting physical and mental health initiatives
  2. Supporting young people, skills and employment - Youth development and training programmes
  3. Addressing loneliness and social isolation - Community connection and support services
  4. Increasing accessibility and opportunity - Breaking down barriers to participation

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, the fund focuses on registered charitable organisations including:

  • Registered Charities
  • Charitable Companies
  • Community Interest Companies (CICs)
  • Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
  • Constituted Groups

Organisations must align with one or more of the four priority themes listed above.

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Governance and Leadership

Marc Atkins-Turley, Stagecoach Director and Chair of the 'Giving for Good' Initiative, oversees the charitable giving programme. He stated: “We are extremely proud to have partnered with four fantastic causes that are close to the hearts of our people. Each partnership offers unique opportunities to help support our communities. These charities represent some of the people we serve and I am proud that we are able to partner with them to grow awareness and help make a real difference.”

The Charity Committee reviews all Community Fund applications monthly, meeting on the first Wednesday of each month to assess requests. The committee has discretion to hold applications for future consideration if they better align with upcoming strategic themes.

The selection of national charity partners involved democratic participation from Stagecoach's 24,000 employees, who voted for their preferred organisations from a shortlist.

How to Apply to Stagecoach - Giving For Good

How to Apply

Community Fund Applications:

  • Submit via the Neighbourly platform at www.neighbourly.com/givingforgoodstagecoach
  • Applications can request support in various forms: time, resources, donations, or sponsorship
  • Can apply either to the central Giving for Good Initiative or via local Stagecoach operating companies
  • Organisations must be registered as a Charitable Company, CIC, CIO, Constituted Group, or Registered Charity

Regional Funds:

  • Contact local Stagecoach operating companies directly
  • Different regions may have specific criteria (e.g., income thresholds, geographic requirements)

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: Submit before the last Friday of each month
  • Review Date: First Wednesday of the following month
  • Note: Applicants may not receive a response in the same month as submission, as applications may be rolled over to align with future strategic priorities
  • Actual notification timelines are not publicly specified

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies and waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Given the monthly review cycle, organisations should contact Stagecoach directly for guidance on resubmission.

Application Success Factors

Examples of Funded Projects:

  • Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance: £25,000 for emergency medical services
  • Age UK: £100,000 partnership donation
  • Worthing Community Chest: £2,500 partnership funding to support local community groups
  • Disasters Emergency Committee: £25,000 for Turkey and Syria earthquake relief
  • Mission Christmas: Over £800 for supporting families during the holiday season
  • Local school Christmas initiatives: Transport and support for children to meet Santa
  • Autism Bedfordshire: £500 grant
  • RVI Hospital: Free accessible Santa's Grotto bus for sick children

Alignment Factors:

  • Strong connection to one or more of the four priority themes
  • Clear demonstration of community benefit in areas served by Stagecoach
  • Smaller, grassroots organisations appear well-positioned for Community Fund support
  • Projects addressing immediate community needs (emergency relief, seasonal support)

Language and Terminology:

The fund emphasises “communities we serve,” indicating preference for organisations operating in areas where Stagecoach provides transport services. Use language around:

  • Community connection and accessibility
  • Health and wellbeing outcomes
  • Youth opportunity and development
  • Reducing isolation

In-Kind Support:

Beyond cash grants, Stagecoach provides valuable in-kind contributions including:

  • Transport services for charity events and beneficiaries
  • Branded bus wraps for awareness campaigns
  • Ticket printing for helpline information (100 million tickets printed with Missing People's helpline)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Monthly application cycle provides regular opportunities: Don't wait for annual deadlines; applications reviewed on the first Wednesday of every month
  • Smaller is better for Community Fund: The fund explicitly targets “smaller, local charities,” making it ideal for grassroots organisations with modest budgets
  • Geographic alignment matters: Strong preference for organisations serving communities where Stagecoach operates bus services
  • Employee engagement adds value: National partners were selected by employee vote; local projects that resonate with Stagecoach staff may have an advantage
  • Be patient with timing: Applications may be held for future months if they align better with upcoming strategic themes rather than receiving immediate rejection
  • Think beyond cash: Consider requesting in-kind support such as transport services or awareness campaigns alongside or instead of monetary grants
  • Multiple access points: Can apply through central fund or local operating companies; research which route best fits your organisation's scope and location

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References

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