LLOYDS BANKING GROUP INCREASES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR SCOTTISH CHARITIES

28-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Lloyds Banking Group is to commit a further £1 million to the Bank of Scotland Foundation, doubling the money available to help support charities across Scotland.

The charitable foundation, which was set up two years ago, already commits £1m a year to charities throughout Scotland as part of the Group’s programme to support communities.

The Foundation, which is an independent charity, helps with developing and
improving local communities and financial literacy across the breadth of Scotland.

Sir Win Bischoff, Chairman of Lloyds Banking Group said: “Lloyds Banking Group is one of the UK’s largest corporate donors and we are fully committed to continuing to support charities and communities throughout the UK including Scotland.

“We have already donated more than £2 million to help hundreds of Scottish charities since the Bank of Scotland Foundation was set up in November 2010 and are delighted to announce a further commitment of £1m per year from 2014.”

Kate Guthrie, Chair of the Bank of Scotland Foundation said: “The work of the Bank of Scotland Foundation is especially important at a time when charities are under enormous pressure. Through our Small Grants, Volunteering Grants and Matched Giving programmes, we are able to provide financial support to charities for key projects or to help with core operating costs which for many charities is a real issue during these challenging economic times.

“The Bank of Scotland foundation has supported charities right across the country from Stornoway to Shotts and from Perth to Peebles so this additional support of £1m a year will enable us to help even more charities in 2014 and is great news for charities across the Scotland.”

The Bank of Scotland Foundation is an independent charity that receives an annual donation from Lloyds Banking Group.

Notes to Editors:
 The Bank of Scotland Foundation is an independent charity registered at The
Mound, Edinburgh, with its own Board of Trustees.
 The Foundation currently receives an annual donation of £1m from Lloyds
Banking Group to fund the Foundation’s Small Grant, volunteering Grants
Programme and Matched Giving Programme.
 The Foundation supports local, regional and national charities working at the
heart of communities across Scotland.
 The Foundation’s Matched Giving Programme encourages Lloyds Banking
Group colleagues to become active in their local communities by providing
Matched Giving for their charitable fundraising efforts and time given to
charities – up to £1,000 per colleague per year.
 Applications for the Small Grants Programme are accepted between £1,000
and £20,000 from charities registered in Scotland only. Grants are awarded for
one year. Full details and a Small Grants application form can be downloaded
from the website at www.bankofscotlandfoundation.org
 The Foundation will shortly be announcing the beneficiaries of the final tranche of Small Grants funding for 2012, with 28 charities sharing over £203,000

For further information:
Ross Keany
Telephone: 0131 655 5354 / 07876 475815
E-mail: ross.keany@lloydsbanking.co.uk
Zoe Redhead
Telephone: 0131 655 5405 / 07809 551491
E-mail: zoeredhead@bankofscotland.co.uk