Partner Article

New partnership between B Local North East community and Point North is giving businesses the chance to drive real, local change, together

The B Local North East Change Fund launched last week, is enabling businesses across the region to contribute to a collective fund that supports charities working on some of the most urgent social and environmental issues in the North East.

The fund is the first major initiative of B Local North East, a volunteer-led group formed to champion responsible business, bring together Certified B Corporations, and grow the B Corp movement across the region. The fund will support charities in the region focussing on Fair Work, Nature & Climate, and Stakeholder Governance.

For every £1 donated to the fund, Point North, one of the UK’s leading community foundations, will add an extra 30p, in celebration of its 30th anniversary this year. Contributions will be pooled and distributed quarterly to nominated charities across Tees Valley, County Durham, Sunderland, Newcastle & Gateshead, and Northumberland.

“The B Local North East Change Fund is a brilliant way for businesses of all sizes to turn their values into action,” said Michelle Cooper, Chief Executive of Point North. “This fund will support charities across the region who are supporting communities in a whole range of ways, it’s also an opportunity to bring together businesses who want to enrich their communities and create opportunities for a better, brighter future in the North East.”

The fund is open to all businesses, not just Certified B Corporations, and provides a practical, high-impact way for companies to invest in their communities.

Jessica Williams MBA, founder of certified B Corporation Just Williams and a member of the B Local North East board, added: “This fund is about making the idea of ‘business as a force for good’ tangible. It's not just about words or accreditation, but about action. Our fund will support brilliant local charities, chosen by the community, to create long-term change. We’re excited to see what we can achieve together.”

As well as making a direct difference to local lives, fund contributors will receive regular updates, stories from supported charities, and an annual impact report. Businesses will also be able to connect with others at B Local events throughout the year.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Loujane Alasi .