The Wood Foundation | LinkedIn (original) (raw)

About us

The Wood Foundation has more than 15 years of experience developing, delivering and supporting successful programmes enabling and empowering economic and social change in Scotland and Africa. We are an innovative, progressive and visionary programme manager, funder and partner. Empowering Scotland’s young people through a range of programmes delivered by expert teams including Youth & Philanthropy Initiative, Global Learning Partnership and Raising Aspirations in Science Education. A responsible and committed charitable trust, established by Sir Ian Wood and his immediate family. Supporting tens of thousands of smallholder tea farmers in Rwanda and Tanzania through a unique venture philanthropy model which is transforming economies.

Industry

Non-profit Organizations

Company size

11-50 employees

Headquarters

Aberdeen

Type

Nonprofit

Founded

2007

Locations

Employees at The Wood Foundation

Updates

We are delighted to present our Chairman's Review, bringing to life the impact of our investments and the sustainable, lasting achievements of those being empowered throughout Scotland and Sub-Saharan Africa. https://lnkd.in/ePnHyBZ6
The Wood Foundation is recruiting a YPI Partnerships Manager (maternity cover). One of the role’s key responsibilities is to identify and nurture new funding relationships with like-minded corporates, charitable trusts, and foundations. Speaking about their involvement, a YPI funding partner said that their sponsorship not only highlights their “pride and confidence in young people” but it also “empowers young leaders to combine skill, hard work and passion to positively represent charitable initiatives in the community”. If you are passionate about fostering meaningful connections with key stakeholders and strategic partners, and contributing to the long-term growth, sustainability, and development of YPI Scotland nationally, we would love to hear from you. The deadline for applying is Monday 21 October 2024. For more information and details on how to apply, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eWd6iFVy
YPI Partnerships Manager (maternity cover) https://www.thewoodfoundation.org.uk
We were excited to attend STV Children's Appeal's first “Aberdeen Big Brunch” event at the Chester Hotel on Sunday (29 September) #BigBrunchAppealHosted by Andrea Brymer and Laura Boyd, and sponsored by Bounty Competitions, the event focused on raising awareness and contributing to the fight against child poverty across Scotland. It was inspiring to hear from Mark and Claire from Fersands & Fountain Community Project, an Aberdeen-based charity that previously benefited from STV Children’s Appeal’s support. Established in 1980, the charity delivers vital services in a regeneration area of Aberdeen which is one of the most deprived areas in Scotland. The Wood Foundation is dedicated to tackling the root causes and immediate effects of childhood poverty, striving to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Our staff team have proudly supported STV Children’s Appeal over the last ten years, including participating in the Aberdeen Kiltwalk and more recently the #BigScottishBreakfast initiative, which helps ensure children and young people have access to free breakfasts. The Wood Foundation has committed £1.5m to the work of the STV Children’s Appeal over a period of 10 years. The Wood Foundation’s funds support the Appeal’s partner charities who are addressing the primary causes of inequity, as well as providing immediate support to those facing poverty.
Since many of our colleagues are school-based or work remotely, The Wood Foundation’s Team Days are a fantastic opportunity to reconnect, get to know each other better and share successes and challenges when we all come together in the same room – though yesterday, our "room" was the great outdoors. Surrounded by the stunning scenery of the River Tay and Kinnoull Hill, Willowgate Activity Centre in Perth was the perfect setting for a day of collaboration and camaraderie. The morning was dedicated to work-focused activities, but we also embraced some friendly competition in the afternoon with mini Highland Games. From hurling a haggis to tossing a caber, the spirit of teamwork was strong as we wrapped up the day with archery.Alison MacLachlan, The Wood Foundation’s UK Director said: "While we definitely had fun, our Team Days are about much more. As an organisation with people at heart of all we do, we need to ensure the same care, attention and space is given for colleagues as those communities we seek to serve through our work. Coming together like this reminds us of our shared goals and values, our diversity and richness, and the impact we can make together."
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The Wood Foundation’s Volunteering Overseas investment provides partial grant funding to individual young people from the North-east to volunteer with ethical, sustainable organisations overseas. We were delighted to hear from Sean Doherty who recently returned from a six-week trip to Peru with EcoSwell where he worked with a team of engineers to design an energy distribution system. Sean, who studies Electronic & Electrical Engineering at University of Strathclyde, said he learnt “what it really means to be an engineer” during his time in South America. “It means not to have all the answers straight away, but to have the initiative to go about figuring them out,” he explained. “Taking on a leadership role, despite feeling in over my head, and having no alternative but to rise to the occasion, was something I am very proud of, and it was a real confidence booster. “My single proudest moment was fixing a system fault in the Talara medical post which was causing nightly blackouts.”Alison MacLachlan, The Wood Foundation’s UK Director, said: “We are always excited to learn about the positive impact these opportunities have on young people, and we are delighted that Sean's experience has been so impactful. There is no doubt that the ability to apply knowledge and skills in a real-world context is critical to developing the next generation of talented, contributing individuals. “The opportunity to develop these skills in a foreign environment adds an extra layer of challenge, insight and growth. Over the last sixteen years many young volunteers supported by The Wood Foundation have returned to Scotland to share their experiences as active global citizens, inspiring others to be compassionate, ambitious, and outward-looking.”
Thank you Gayle Thomson from University of Aberdeen for inviting us to last night's Interns with Impact celebration event. Funded by The Wood Foundation, the internship programme has opened doors for students to gain invaluable experience while actively supporting the third sector, both here in Scotland and internationally. In 2024, we were delighted to support 13 internships, two of which were based at Redearth Education in Uganda. It was great to hear from students about their experiences and learnings as well as some of the organisations that benefited from fresh perspectives and new ideas in areas including fundraising, research, evaluation and communications. Alison MacLachlan, The Wood Foundation’s UK Director, was interviewed for the university's showreel, highlighting the impact of the programme on both students and employers. She said: "What's been really exciting over the last two years is seeing the diversity of opportunities that have opened up for our students. The sector traverses many social issues, including food poverty, education, childcare, and sports coaching. We have also looked at tourism, climate, sustainability, and community regeneration. “It has been really gratifying to engage with local organisations in the North-east where we are based, but also more broadly across Scotland and this year we have had some international opportunities to engage with grassroots education work in Uganda. "This has been an incredible opportunity that without a funded internship offer may not have been available to students within the university. It was certainly a capacity building offer to critical organisations out there that couldn't otherwise realise the work that's been done."

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