Canadian tech company TELUS has launched a £1 million fund to support disadvantaged people in London and other good causes.
The funding will be awarded by mid-2027 in allocations made by a newly established local group of community leaders.
It is hoped the funding will help thousands of young people through dozens of grassroots non-profit bodies across the capital.
Grants are for up to £20,000 and must be from bodies with a “stated focus on supporting youth up to age 29 in the Greater London area experiencing obstacles to reaching their full potential .”
The London board is the 21st TELUS Community Board worldwide.
It is chaired by advertising boss and entrepreneur Johnny Hornby, who sits on WPP’s executive committee and headed Sentebale, Prince Harry’s former charity, until 2023.
The inaugural board includes leaders from across the public, private, and social sectors including broadcaster June Sarpong, Duran Duran lead singer Simon Le Bon and Jenny Halpern, founder of PR agency Halpern.
Darren Entwistle, President and CEO of TELUS said: “Our team is honoured to launch this board with an inaugural £1 million in support of grassroots organisations across Greater London, empowering local leaders to deliver programmes that will help thousands of young people reach their full potential.
Hornby said: “The TELUS Community Board model is unlike anything I’ve seen in UK philanthropy.
“It brings decision-making closer to the ground, ensuring local organisations, often overlooked by traditional funding models, get the support they need to thrive.”
Following its inaugural meeting the board has made initial grants to 18 organisations, including Lady Garden Foundation which works on raising gynecological cancer awareness and education among young women across Greater London; Enter Tech Opportunities CIC, which specialises in providing neurodivergent females and non-binary young people with tech training, soft skills, and mentorship for employability; and Orange Bow which supports young men with digital resources to address mental health and promote social connections.
Dr Annalisa Jenkins Trustee, Lady Garden Foundation, said: “This funding will significantly enhance our ability to deliver vital gynecological cancer education programmes for young women. “We’re proud to be part of this powerful new initiative.”
