Introducing...

Vernon Charitable Foundation

Vernon Building Society has a long history of giving back to Stockport and Poynton communities. Launched in our centenary year, the Vernon Charitable Foundation supports local charities providing public benefit in Stockport, Cheshire and Greater Manchester, focused on the prevention and relief of poverty and community development.

What You Need To Know...

Who Can Apply?

Applications will be considered if they meet the following criteria:

Your registered charity is based in Stockport, Cheshire, and Greater Manchester.
You are applying for a grant no more than £5,000.
The applicant must not have received monies from the Foundation within the previous 2 years.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that their application aligns with the charity’s objectives.
You don’t need to be a Member of the Society to apply for funding.

The Foundation welcomes applications from organisations who are working towards the relief of poverty alongside community development.

Application Restrictions

Applications will not be considered if received from the following:

Any organisation which is not a registered Charity.
Charities which have not submitted their annual returns to the Charity Commission or Companies House.
Request for funds for administrative purposes such as covering costs of salaries, rent, promotional material, or running costs.
Charities with an annual turnover of more than £250,000.
Request for grants greater than £5000.
Charities not located within Stockport, Cheshire & Greater Manchester.

How do I Apply?

Please read our application criteria before applying for a grant.

All applications will be reviewed by the Trustees, who will notify successful charities by email within four weeks of the closing date.
Please provide details of how the funding will be used, including a full breakdown of costs for the project.
Click Apply Now to complete our application form.
With any queries, please email: applications@thevernoncharitablefoundation.co.uk

How long do we have to wait for a decision?

Following the closing date, all successful applications will be notified by email within 4 weeks.

Unfortunately, reasons cannot be given for unsuccessful applications.

How much can we apply for?

Grants up to £5000 can be requested. Charities can apply for more than one grant but this must not exceed £5000 within a 2 year period.

Do you need be a Member of Vernon Building Society to apply?

You don’t need to be a Member of Vernon Building Society to apply.

How to Apply

You can now apply for a grant. The deadline to apply is 5pm on 23/05/2025.

APPLY NOW

Meet Our Trustees

We're pleased to introduce our Trustees, who will be kicking off our Charitable Foundation in January 2024. Our Trustees support governs and strengthens our charity's objectives, which are to promote the advancement of local causes and community development.

Mark Lee

Trustee:
Mark is now retired from full time employment , he held senior roles in the Together Trust, Barnardos and the Children's Society, he brings a wealth of experience in the voluntary and charity sector across the NW. He has been a Trustee at GMCVO and Children England.

Sue O'Brien

Trustee:
Owner of Stockport based family business, supplying and installing EPoS systems throughout the Northwest, Sue became interested in voluntary work many years ago. She became a school governor, heading up the Finance Committee and, earlier this year, became a Trustee at her local community centre, threatened with closure.

Lord Goddard

Trustee:
A Stockport resident all his life, Lord Goddard still has his mortgage with the Vernon. Elected to Stockport Metropolitan Council in 1990, he served for over 25 years and led the council for six. After accepting a Life Peerage from the Queen in 2014, he now sits in the House of Lords. He is associated with several charitable activities and is a Christie’s Cancer Charity Ambassador.

Paul Brearley JP DL

Trustee:
Paul has extensive experience in private sector management and public service. He chaired the Salford Community Health Council, served as a Non-Executive Director at Manchester Children’s Hospitals NHS Trust, and held important roles in magistrates’ courts. He's also shown leadership as Chairman of the Greater Manchester Bench and the Greater Manchester Magistrates Association Branch.

Tracey Wright

Trustee:
Tracey has 23 years of financial industry experience. Working within the Intermediary Team here at the Vernon, she helps mortgage brokers understand criteria and supports them to place their mortgage applications with us. Tracey was born in Stockport and has resided here all her life with her family. She is excited to be involved and feels privileged to be able to help both Stockport and its surrounding area’s local charities.

Andy Smith

Trustee:
With 22 years financial services experience, Andy currently works within the IT Change Team at the Vernon. Born and raised in Stockport, he's a keen Stockport County supporter. Now, he's looking forward to helping charities doing great work in the area.

Ian Wilson

Trustee:
Currently Savings Business Development Manager at the Vernon, Ian has 30 years financial services and 11 years charity sector experience. He lives in Stockport and is an avid Stockport County supporter. Ian is a founding member of local community charity, Denton West End Community Library, and has previously been a school governor and treasurer at his local sub aqua diving club.

Community Banner