Hollywood stars and prominent philanthropist honoured for their outstanding contributions to North Wales communities

Wrexham’s Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, and Redrow founder Steve Morgan have been awarded Community Foundation Wales Philanthropy Awards for their extraordinary contributions to communities in Wales.

The awards recognise and highlight the work of individuals going above and beyond for their local communities and aims to inspire and encourage others to start their philanthropic journey.

The awards were made to mark the charity’s 25th year.

Since becoming Co-Chairmen of Wrexham Football Club, Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have supported a number of community projects in the local area. When they took over the club in 2020, they pledged to make a positive difference to the local community as well as the football club.

From donating to a charity who provide free caravan holidays to families who may never have had a holiday before due to financial crisis to funding an adapted bathroom for a Wrexham Football Club fan, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney continue to support and give back to the Wrexham area.

Ryan Reynolds said:

“I want to thank Community Foundation Wales for this honour. Ultimately, giving me and Rob an award like this is incredibly flattering and wonderful but it certainly pales in comparison to the work that Community Foundation Wales does for so many of Wales’s most vulnerable people.”

Rob McElhenney echoed these sentiments, saying:

“Receiving this Philanthropy Award is a huge honour, but it truly pales in comparison to all the work that Community Foundation Wales is doing and we’re just happy to be a part of this.”

Steve Morgan, an entrepreneur and philanthropist from Liverpool, set up the Steve Morgan Foundation in 2001 and has donated over £300 million to support community initiatives.

The Steve Morgan Foundation supports the most vulnerable across North Wales, Cheshire and Merseyside helping to make a positive difference to those in need. They have worked alongside Community Foundation Wales, supporting their Our Communities Together – a cost of living crisis appeal with £25,000 of match funding.

Steve Morgan said:

“What a great honour to receive this award from Community Foundation Wales. It’s a special award that is unexpected. Our foundation does tremendous work in north Wales and has done for many, many years, distributing millions of pounds in just the last few years alone. This is all done without looking to be recognised, so when you get something like this, it really means something.”

Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Wales said:

“We are delighted to recognise Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Steve Morgan for their amazing generosity and commitment to communities in North Wales. They, like us, recognise the wider role of philanthropy in building and strengthening Welsh communities.

These philanthropy awards are part of our 25th birthday celebrations which also sees the relaunch of our Fund for Wales, which provides grants to local, grassroots organisations and charities who are embedded in their local communities.

We hope that people will be inspired by Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Steve Morgan to give back to their local communities and a donation to Fund for Wales would be a great way to start.”

Since 1999, Community Foundation Wales have awarded over £40m in grants across Wales, playing a key role in matching philanthropy to grassroots community groups and charities making a difference in their local communities.

Fund for Wales supports small, volunteer-driven community organisations with grants of between £500 – £2,000 towards the following areas:

  • Improving people’s chances in life
  • Building stronger communities
  • Improving rural and urban environments
  • Encouraging healthier and more active people and communities
  • Preserving heritage and culture

The fund supports a wide range of projects, ranging from groups providing activities for children and young adults with disabilities to singing for wellbeing to improving opportunities for young people with dyslexia.

Fund for Wales is built on the principle that philanthropy is for everyone, welcoming donations of all sizes.

To support Fund for Wales, please click here.

News

View all
Making grants more accessible with Easy Read

Making grants more accessible with Easy Read

Community Foundation Wales appoints new chair

Community Foundation Wales appoints new chair

Hearts as well as minds make for committed trustees

Hearts as well as minds make for committed trustees

Why your story matters

Why your story matters