Philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer has today donated £1million towards tackling social deprivation and creating jobs in County Durham.
Investment banker Jonathan and his wife Jane made the decision to give County Durham Community Foundation the money to distribute on their behalf to cement their commitment to the local area.
The couple recently saved the Zurbaran paintings from being bought up and leaving the area with a £15million donation, and are restoring Auckland Castle with plans to develop it into a Christian Heritage Centre and a major tourist attraction.
Both have a love of County Durham and are passionate about supporting regeneration in deprived areas. Jonathan, who was born in Stokesley near Middlesbrough believes the North East needs to sparkle again.
“I am keen to support and build teams that will improve social deprivation and empower people.” said Jonathan. “You might say that County Durham Community Foundation is one of those teams and by allowing them – as the local experts – to reach the parts that need help most, that leaves me time to channel my energies into developing my Auckland Castle project.”
Although they won’t be involved in the day-to-day decisions, the community foundation has developed programmes that match Jonathan and Jane’s charitable aims of helping people back into employment, raising aspirations and fulfilling potential – very much in line with County Durham Community Foundation’s core purpose.
The £1m gift is the largest to the Foundation and provides a substantial uplift in their grant-making It allows the Foundation to look more strategically at how they fill gaps that are currently underfunded and will complement 150 other funds to provide a more ‘rounded’ range of grants.
They will be engaging with statutory authorities (Durham County Council, Darlington Borough Council, the Health Authority), current providers and reviewing the needs of local areas to ensure the money is used to best effect
The Foundation works in collaboration with other agencies like Groundwork, Acumen, the Prince’s Trust and National Apprenticeship Association, we can pool resources and make more of an impact on those that need it most
They have agreed areas of priority and spending guidelines with Jonathan and Jane but all grant decisions will be made by CDCF and all applications must be be made directly to them.
Grants will be to community groups and individuals and priority areas will be getting people into work, improving health and supporting opportunity.
