The Momentum Group, the North West-based property services company, has opened applications for grants from its Momentum Foundation.
Administered by the Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside (CFLM), the grants will cover purchasing and installation of various ecological improvements to community buildings, including double glazing, installation of energy-efficient appliances and lighting, improved insulation and alternative energy solutions, such as solar panels and ground source heat pumps.
Using The Momentum Group’s skills and expertise, the initiative is designed to enhance the sustainability of community buildings to help organisations reduce their carbon emissions and utility bills, enabling them to reallocate resources to serve their communities better.
Chris Bliss, co-founder and director of Momentum Group, said: “Rising operational costs and the negative impact of the cost-of-living crisis on donations is reducing the ability of many local charities and volunteer groups to provide much needed community support. The latest round of grants from the Momentum Foundation is designed to help alleviate some of that financial pressure so that vital volunteer services can continue in the community.”
The Momentum Foundation was created by The Momentum Group, which was launched by Chris Bliss and Chris Renshaw in 2019, to ensure the business and its employees make a positive, long-lasting contribution to the communities in which they operate.
Chris Renshaw, The Momentum Group co-founder and director, added: “The Momentum Group endeavours to make a positive contribution to the communities of which it is part, whether that is through the provision of funding or in-kind resources such as the expertise of our team, particularly in areas such as increasing energy and operational efficient in buildings. This is why we view Momentum Contribute, of which the Momentum Foundation is part, as the fifth and equal element to our business, alongside Momentum Advise, Build, Manage and Maintain.”
The Momentum Group is the first Liverpool City Region SME to establish such a social investment partnership model with CFLM. Rae Brooke, CFLM’s Chief Executive, said: “The Momentum Group’s partnership with CFLM demonstrates their commitment to driving positive change. Their foundation and endowment fund will help to address the cost-of-living crisis, providing sustained support for local charities which will be better equipped to address the immediate needs of individuals and families.”
The Momentum Group operates four commercial businesses: Advise, Build, Maintain and Manage, and has now added Contribute as the fifth arm of the business. Focusing on four areas – people, place, planet and professionalism – Momentum Contribute ensures the business, its employees and partners deliver a significant positive impact in the Liverpool City Region and beyond. The Momentum Foundation sits alongside other such company initiatives, such as mental health training, programmes to tackle homelessness, financial wellbeing, carers and supporting women through the menopause. The Momentum Group is also working towards B Corp certification, a rigorous social and environmental standard that represents commitment to goals outside of company profit.
To date, The Momentum Group has contributed significant sums to the #iwill campaign supporting youth social action; the Merseyside Women’s Fund; the LCR Cares Covid-19 Community SupportFund; and the Open Door Centre in Wirral. It is also one of the founding organisations behind the Change Liverpool homelessness initiative. Additionally, on Sunday 2nd July, 10 Momentum Group employees took part in the Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool bike ride, raising around £4,000 for the Foundation by clocking up a combined 500 miles.
To apply for a grant, visit CFLM’s website – https://cfmerseyside.org.uk/funds/the-momentum-foundation to complete an online application form. Applicants must own their own buildings or have a lease for over five years and will be expected to track savings made by the ecological improvements for which assistance and guidance will be provided. Completed applications will be assessed by CFLM to check eligibility and a panel will make recommendations based on the fund’s criteria and the budget available. For further information please contact CFLM on 0330 440 4900 or applications@cflm.org.uk
The Momentum Foundation is managed by Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside, Charity No 1068887.