Quartet Community Foundation

Quartet Community Foundation

Quartet Community Foundation works to improve lives across the West of England by connecting people who care with causes that matter. Through strategic grant-making and philanthropic partnerships, they support local charities and initiatives, helping to build stronger, more inclusive communities. Their mission is to inspire impactful giving that addresses the region’s key social needs.

Introducing our Champions John Stienlet - Pro bono Manager - ProHelp West of England, and Sabita Ravi - Philanthropy Manager from Quartet Community Foundation. John and Sabita have been working hard to build relationships across our regional sector to both support their grantees, but also further their understanding of how we might bring the tech sector closer to understanding regional challenges and how they might be able to support.

As part of their ProHelp initiative, John connects charitable organisations with professional firms that offer pro bono services. This support spans a range of expertise, including legal, marketing, IT software and advice, HR, and more, aimed at strengthening the capacity and effectiveness of charities and community groups. By brokering these valuable services, Quartet helps organisations gain crucial professional advice and support, which they might not otherwise afford, enhancing their impact on local communities.

Tech4Good South West joined forces with Quartet Community Foundation for a fascinating panel discussion in October on why and how businesses and entrepreneurs are well placed to drive social change.

Annie Legge (Tech4Good South West), Nick Lee (Quartet, Deputy Chair of Trustees), Chris May (Mayden), Krissie Barrick (Scope), Chris Blues (Social Tech Trust), John Stienlet (Quartet), Jaya Chakrabarti

Why should technology be used as a force for good?

We want to see positive long-term change for our region where everyone can fulfil their potential. Advances in technology will always create change. Our focus, as a funder, is on ensuring that social change is positive, enhancing equality and not increasing inequality.

For example, to support digital inclusion, Quartet has made £36k+ in grants to help DigiLocal expand their distribution of laptops and run coding clubs for young people in areas where there is little access.

Technology is already doing so much good but we know that many people, for different reasons, miss out on its benefits, and that the full power of tech for good has not yet been fully realised. This is a missed opportunity for stronger, healthier, happier and more connected communities.

Give a brief overview of your background and experience as an organisation

For 37 years we’ve been championing the power of local philanthropy and the work of the fantastic community organisations that enrich our area. Through developing trusted relationships with communities and with people who want to give, we’ve enabled significant resources – £76 million and counting – to be invested in improving lives in the West of England. And we invest more than money, building social capital by bringing people together, brokering over £½ million value of pro bono support for charitable organisations through our ProHelp service, and driving a strategic approach to philanthropic giving.

How have you used tech for good in your work at Quartet?

As a local funder, our focus is on the support we give to small, charitable organisations. In the last 5 years we’ve given out approximately £1.7m in grants with a tech element. This has included funding during Covid for groups to move their services online; capacity-building grants to help groups improve their digital infrastructure like websites, equipment and databases; and a range of creative projects, including a grant to support 100 children to make their own podcast. This funding enabled those groups to unlock a further £1.3m from other sources and is an impactful start. But we know there are many opportunities for tech to support charitable organisations and the lives of the people they support. So for Quartet it makes complete sense to build relationships and collaborate with the region’s innovative tech sector to make a bigger social impact together.

John Stienlet & Sabita Ravi