Our business is where it is through the power and spirit of community. Whether it was friends and family who offered their services for free, or the beer community collaborating with two guys that had just taken a big leap of Faith. From day one, we set out to grow in stature as we grew in scale, always looking to give back where we can. In 2019, we felt that it was the perfect time to set up our own Foundation.
Inspired by the gift of £5,000 given by a grandparent that enabled the Northern Monk journey to begin, the For The North Foundation was created to support inspiring causes, businesses, charities, and projects in the North, through grants of that same amount.
As the business has grown and matured over the years, we’ve made a dedicated effort to ensure that every element of our operation embodies our position. Our position is built on our Northern sense of community, championing the underdog, and seeking triumph over adversity.
We, like most other businesses, have felt the impact of COVID. Determined not to let that impact our work in the community, we have continued to give out grants during this difficult time. We were also keen to create further revenue streams for the Foundation, whilst shining a light on this work, and bringing it to an even bigger audience.
Grant recipients have included Meanwood Valley Urban Farm, who used their grant to run a new volunteer programme and purchase infrastructure to bring neglected parts of their city-based farm to life. The RISE Project at ST LUKE’S CARES used their grant to fund a new youth worker to mentor and provide activities for young people living in our local South Leeds community. One of our grants was donated to a Bradford-based CIC, Rooted For Girls, who work with young women in the local area. Unfortunately, due to COVID, they saw the need for support in cases of abuse and mental health rise exponentially. As a result, they used their funding to develop therapeutic outdoors sessions for teenage girls experiencing abuse and mental health struggles, as well as offering small group wellbeing sessions for women working on the frontline of the pandemic.
Whilst we will always be incredibly proud of the £30,000 donated through the For The North Foundation, and the positive impact the grants have had on our communities, there was one element that we felt didn’t sit right.
“For the North”
There is no border to our North. Our team of Monks is made up of people of ten different nationalities, who are based in different cities around the UK. So, we wanted to take down the borders of our Foundation’s work too. The Foundation will no longer be called ‘For The North’. Today, we introduce the transition to ‘Faith in Futures’. When looking at how to bring this transformation to life, it was clear where we should start. Faith.
Here’s what to expect:
- Every year, we’ll be releasing a select number of Twists on Faith, designed to raise money for some incredible causes across the North, the UK, and beyond.
- These beers will feature the work of some of the artists that have been through our Patrons Projects. Though their limited-edition Projects are over, the deep-rooted relationships we’ve built, and the incredible art they produce is alive and well. These beers will bring the art of our former Patrons to a wider audience and showcase the work of talented creatives after a truly difficult year for the sector.
- Each can of Faith in Futures Twists includes a donation to the Foundation. By drinking the beer, you’ll be playing a role in providing hope for those that need it most. Drink beer. Give Faith.
To launch the evolution of the Foundation, we’re excited to release our first fundraising beer, aptly named Faith in Futures. Faith in Futures is an amped-up IPA version of Faith that includes a donation to Faith in Futures through every can sold. The inaugural Faith in Futures release will showcase the work of INSA and will be available nationwide from Monday.
Keep the Faith.