Charities across Stockport urged to apply for grants of up to £5,000 from Vernon Building Society

Charities across Stockport are encouraged to apply for grants of up to £5,000 from the Vernon Building Society’s charitable foundation before the deadline of 29 August 2025.

Since launching in January 2024, Vernon Charitable Foundation has given out £73,500 to 24 local charities. It was launched to create a lasting legacy across Greater Manchester and Cheshire as part of Vernon Building Society’s centenary celebrations last year.

In 2024 eleven charities across Stockport received Vernon Charitable Foundation grants, including Stockport Canal Boat Trust in Marple (pictured) which received £2,500 and Stockport Talking Newspaper Association, which received £4,757.42.

Vernon Building Society Chief Executive, Darren Ditchburn, said:

“The latest round of our Charitable Foundation funding application is now open, and we’re eager to hear from charities across Stockport that work to relieve poverty or develop their local community. It’s a really simple application and it may result in a grant of up to £5,000.

“We know local not-for-profits are struggling to survive right now. Vernon Charitable Foundation is just one of the many ways that we’re helping them. We also support local grassroot organisations and social enterprises via a separate funding programme called Community Stars, which gives out smaller grants of up to £2,000 for worthy causes, including those not registered as a charity.

“Over the past 13 years we have donated over £140,000 via Community Stars to fund everything from local transportation, to new  equipment, room hire and food. We know these small donations go a long way. Our grant applications for Community Stars close on August 11, so we urge people to be quick and apply before the deadline, however applications will open up again later in the year.”

Seven organisations in Stockport have received Community Stars grants in 2025 already. These include Marple Youth Project CIC, a youth club for 11-16 year olds with SEND and additional needs, who received a Community Stars grant enabling them to take children on experiences such as archery at Linnet Clough and climbing at Goyt Mill.

Vernon Park Veterans Bowling Club used their Community Stars grant to purchase new tables and chairs replacing old furniture that was over thirty years old, whilst Offerton Trefoil Guild intend to use their grant to double their membership through arranging talks with interesting speakers.

Darren continued:

“We’re committed to our community and want to see our Members and local residents thrive. We do this by helping them to own their home and grow their savings. As a mutual, we invest our profits back into the Society, which enables us to support local charities and community groups by donated grants to good causes, volunteering our time and skills to help local initiatives thrive, sponsoring community events, investing in financial education at local schools or loaning out use of our offices to local businesses. We believe that together, we’re greater.”

Vernon Building Society colleagues have so far volunteered a total of 35 days in 2025, with staff giving their time to support nine different organisations across Stockport such as WellSpring, Together Trust, Avro Heritage Museum and Grit Studios, where the Vernon’s Leadership Team helped create a new community garden and green space for residents.

The Vernon has also supported over 1,400 students across Greater Manchester with financial education this academic year, including Stockport students from Poynton, Stockport Academy and Stockport School. Through training partner WizeUp, students have been taught about how the taxation system works, the importance of a pension, how to build a positive credit rating and how to apply for student finance.

Vernon Charitable Foundation grant applications need to be submitted by 29 August 2025 via the building society’s website.

Vernon Building Society’s Community Starts grant applications need to be submitted by 5pm on 11 August 2025 via this webpage.

All successful applications will be notified within four weeks.