Devon company celebrates 40 years by offering £40,000 in grants to 40 good causes

A well-known North Devon company is sharing its 40th anniversary celebrations with the community by donating £40,000 in grants to 40 good causes.

Philip J Milton & Company Plc is inviting charities, good causes, community projects or individuals to apply for one of 40 £1,000 grants to be put to use to help others under its ‘40th Legacy Awards’.

This could be anything from educational initiatives, the environment or conservation to helping those less fortunate or providing something for the community or internationally.

Anyone can apply; they do not have to represent a group or charity but the grant must be used for or towards a specific nominated purpose, project or purchase rather than simply general costs.

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From the outset when Philip Milton set up his independent wealth management and financial advisory business at his parents’ home in Georgeham in 1985, the business has supported numerous good causes, charities and appeals, both at home and abroad.

The £40,000 Ruby Anniversary fund has been funded already and is with the Company’s registered Charitable Foundation. Now, Philip and his team invite applications from people in North Devon or further afield.

Philip said: “We wanted our 40th anniversary to be a celebration with others just as much as for ourselves. These Legacy Awards are a way of sharing some of our success in looking after people’s finances, by giving something meaningful back and which we hope will benefit many people and ‘things’.

“Those who know us will know we support many appeals and causes, both right here in Devon and much further away, such as the recent freshwater boreholes appeal for Amigos Worldwide and via the Foundation we have given grants to everything from bumblebee conservation and Burundi self-help groups to debt education charities and community shops.

“While £1,000 may not seem a large amount to bigger charities, for smaller ones or community projects it can make a real difference, whether that’s fundraising for a specific purchase or repair, or perhaps buying a piece of play equipment, refurbishing a much-loved facility or a specific nature project – we would like to hear from all of you.”

The awards have been left open-ended but it is hoped applications will reflect the Company’s own values and principles, which include selflessness, seeking betterment, education, the environment and nature, conservation, poverty, financial education, a desire to help those less fortunate, a desire to succeed and to be a force for good within the community.

Applicants will be asked to provide evidence of their work or proposals.

In the first instance, they must email the address below, briefly explaining who they are and what their application is for, then they will receive a form to complete electronically and return.

Philip added: “Now more than ever and especially with escalating costs for all businesses, it is vital we all work together and support each other, which is part of what our Legacy Awards are all about.

“You may often read about the various good causes we support, but there are many others you will never hear about - but we do it anyway because that’s who we are.

“We do hope the people of Devon and beyond will embrace this initiative and that our clients, friends and supporters and the wider community, will encourage good causes close to their hearts to get in touch – we look forward to hearing!”

To apply for up to a £1,000 grant from the 40th Legacy Awards, please email info@miltonpj.net and entitle it ‘Legacy Awards’, followed by a brief summary of your good cause and how the grant would be used.

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