As the first and longest financial supporter of Pub is The Hub, the Diageo Foundation has finally concluded its support this year with a final donation of £41,500.
Since its inception in 2001, Pub is the Hub has been supported over the years by £350,000 in financial support by the Diageo Foundation, a community investment programme of partnerships and initiatives across the world.
The Foundation was established 25 years ago as an independent registered charitable trust, with its own dedicated board of trustees, receiving 100% of its funding from Diageo plc on an annual basis to use for its charitable mission. With the aim of achieving maximum impact and effective and lasting transformation, the Foundation’s charitable mission has always been to respond to the needs of the environment and the local communities in which Diageo operates.
With its mission now complete, the Foundation has been concluded, its work now being taken forward through Diageo’s global Sustainable Development Strategy.
The Foundation focused on developing countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe, tackling issues including access to water and sanitation, skills and employability and female empowerment. 77 countries have run a Diageo Foundation project with more than £25 million allocated in grants for more than 450 major projects initiated.
An Impact Report has been produced that chronicles the 25-year timeline, together with a selection of case studies showing just a few examples out of the thousands of grants they have made during that period.
Geoffrey Bush, Chairman of the Trustees for the Diageo Foundation said: “The Foundation has been an effective catalyst for change, empowering organisations, communities and individuals, and transforming the life prospects of so many.”
In its final contribution the Foundation has donated its last amount to the Community Services Fund which it is hoped will help around 15 pubs to diversify.
John Longden, Chief Executive of Pub is The Hub said: “The Diageo Foundation has delivered a significant legacy and we really cannot thank Diageo enough for their faithful support and commitment over this period of time. They led the way for the rest of the industry to follow and we cannot thank them enough.”