Local Agent wins national award
Posted on Thu 17 June 2010
The Community Foundation for Greater Manchester has won one of the most prestigious accolades to be awarded in the charity sector at this month’s Charity Awards 2010. The charity, which raises money from the private and public sectors and channels it down to grass-root community groups in the most disadvantaged areas of Greater Manchester, picked up the coveted Grantmaking Award at a glittering award ceremony in London.
The star-studded awards ceremony was hosted by comedienne Jo Brand and was attended by celebrities including Greta Scacchi, Lynda Bellingham, Jon Snow and Peter Bowles.
The Charity Awards judges recognised The Community Foundation for Greater Manchester for its collaboration with Irwell Valley Housing Association helping to create a community investment programme for local individuals and communities.
Akhtar Hussain, Chair of the Irwell Valley Golden Foundation, comments: “My feeling is of tremendous achievement of the partnership of working with an organisation with similar aims of servicing the community. We are looking at building on the achievements which we have made.”
Nick Massey Chief Executive of the Community Foundation added: “We are so pleased to have been presented with this special award with our partnership with Irwell Valley for Grantmaking, as it gives real confirmation that we are doing our job.
“This award shows everyone that we work with, and everyone who should be working with us, that their money is getting to the right place, and really making a difference. Our effectiveness means that the people who volunteer their time and effort for their communities running a range of different groups, services and activities for all ages, are getting the money they need to keep their work going.”
This is not the first achievement for which the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester has been recognised. The organisation was crowned the Most Effective charity at the 2007 Charity Awards.
Daniel Phelan, organiser of the Charity Awards 2010 comments: “Over the years many wonderful charities have been recognised by the Charity Awards, showing how much fantastic work takes place within the sector.
“What the winning charities all have in common is their ability to turn innovation, passion and vision into an effective project or organisation demonstrating considerable impact. It’s vital that we acknowledge these achievements, which is why I’m delighted the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester has won the Grantmaking award. It is a fantastic organisation and the award is thoroughly deserved. I congratulate everyone involved.”
The Charity Awards 2010 was organised by Charity Finance, the leading business publication for the voluntary sector. The distinguished panel of judges included John Low CBE, Chief Executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, Maeve Sherlock OBE, former Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, Dame Jo Williams, former Chief Executive of Mencap, Paul Winter, Chief Executive of The Leadership Trust, and Dame Mary Marsh, founding Director of the Clore Social Leadership Programme and former Chief Executive of the NSPCC.
