Cida Foundation UK

The St. James's Place Foundation was formed in 1992, since that time the Foundation has become one of the most successful company charities in the UK, raising over £1 million every year since 2001 and in 2005 raised £1.6 million.

As at the end of 2005 the Foundation had raised more than £8.1 million and distributed some £6.3 million to more than 700 charities, with grants ranging from a few hundred pounds to in excess of £200,000.

More than 82% of Partners and employees of the Company give on a regular and tax efficient basis, using Gift Aid. This raises nearly £340,000 each year.

Various fundraising events take place throughout the year, ranging from events raising a few hundred pounds to a Triathlon organised by one Partner that raised more than £100,000 in an afternoon. These events, the majority of which are organised by Partners and employees around the country, raised more than £887,500 in 2005.

The directors of St. James's Place stated from day one that the Company would make contributions to the Foundation when it was in a financial position to do so.  In 1999 it was able to honour that commitment and with shareholder approval agreed to match all fundraising pound for pound, with a very generous limit that rose to the sum of £700,000 in 2004 and was raised to £800,000 in 2005.

Since outset, the Foundation has been keen to support small charities that can substantially benefit from relatively small grants (a few thousand pounds).  The focus of the Foundation's efforts is towards children and young people with special needs, and the hospice movement.

The money generated by the matching from the Company has enabled the Foundation to give substantial support to four organisations - Hope & Homes for Children who have received more than £2 million in the last seven years; Help the Hospices who we have joined with in a project to expand hospice care to patients with illnesses other than cancer - funding of £800,000 over three years and two new relationships recently embarked upon - Teenage Cancer Trust and CIDA.

St. James's Place Foundation was looking to get involved with a UK charity working overseas and CIDA aims to help young people - therefore matching the aims of the St. James's Place Foundation.  The Trustees and Committee were hugely impressed with the unique nature of this cause and by the fact that so many people would ultimately be helped by each and every student who took part in this inspiring programme.  As the St. James's Place Foundation Scholarship students commit within 5 years of graduation to funding another student from their hometown for their four year degree course then the programme becomes self-propelling and will reach many more young people than we could possibly do on our own.

St James's Place currently sponsors nearly 100 CIDA students. The funding for these students comes from the St James's Place Foundation as well as individual St James's Place employees who personally fund scholarships. CIDA is incredibly grateful for their support and enthusiasm.