Community Foundation Wales signs up to new Living Wage Funder Scheme
Community Foundation Wales has received recognition as a Living Wage Funder in the UK from the Living Wage Foundation.
As part of our commitment to being a Living Wage Funder, Community Foundation Wales supports successful applicant charities to pay the Living Wage to any grant-funded staff posts.
Living Wage Funders themselves are Living Wage Employers and then, where possible, also encourage grantees to become accredited employers over time.
Living Wage Funders work together to end low pay in the voluntary and community sector.
Thousands of charities and funders have already embraced the real Living Wage across the UK, but low pay remains a significant challenge across the sector. The Living Wage Funder scheme has been funded by People’s Health Trust and developed in collaboration with a range of funders including Trust for London, Barrow Cadbury, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Comic Relief.
The minimum wage for those aged 25 and over in the UK is currently £8.72 an hour in the UK, but the Living Wage, a voluntary rate which is set independently and calculated in accordance to the basic cost of living in the UK, is considerably higher at £9.30, rising to £10.75 in London.
Laura Gardiner, Director, Living Wage Foundation said:
“We are delighted to recognise Community Foundation Wales as a Living Wage Funder. The leadership shown demonstrates a commitment to tackling the serious problems that low pay brings to our communities.
“Many organisations in the voluntary and community sectors are working hard to tackle social injustice and poverty; it’s only right that those committed to these roles are afforded at least a Living Wage. We hope to see many more funders and corporates follow the lead of Community Foundation Wales and the other Living Wage Funders.
“At a time when half of those in poverty live in a household where someone has a job, the real Living Wage is much needed by families across the UK. The Living Wage is a robust calculation that reflects the real cost of living, rewarding a hard day’s work with a fair day’s pay.”
Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Wales said:
“We believe it is more important now than ever before that we ensure the organisations we fund are paying the Living Wage to all employees rather than the minimum wage. The Living Wage provides such a boost to the economy we know we will see better health, wellbeing and stronger communities as a result.
“This has driven our decision and we are delighted to announce that we are now signed up to as a Living Wage Funder.”
John Hume, Chief Executive, People’s Health Trust, said:
“People’s Health Trust is pleased to welcome Community Foundation Wales as the latest charitable funder to join the Living Wage Funder network. By becoming part of this rapidly growing scheme, they have demonstrated their commitment, as a funder, to working towards ending low pay in the voluntary and community sector.
“We want to see the Living Wage become the norm, and believe that funding organisations can lead the way in making this happen within the voluntary sector.”
