A Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility

Founded in March  2020, the RPD Foundation has been at the forefront of promoting CSR and spearheading fundraising efforts for Richard Place Dobson in and around Crawley. The foundation is dedicated to connecting businesses and charities, ensuring they form productive and enduring relationships that benefit the wider community.

As 2025 begins, the Foundation’s latest initiative seeks to build a structured approach to CSR engagement by supporting partnerships between local enterprises and charitable organisations. The goal is to facilitate impactful collaborations that contribute to long-term societal change in Crawley.

Key Objectives of the CSR Brokerage Pilot

• Establish a structured CSR engagement support service for businesses and charities.
• Facilitate meaningful and impactful partnerships between corporate entities and nonprofit organisations.
• Ensure the successful delivery of volunteer projects and resource-sharing initiatives.

Through these objectives, the project seeks to empower both businesses and charities to work together more effectively, maximising their contributions to social causes and community development.

Strengthening Community Ties

The initiative has already gained enthusiastic support from key stakeholders. Daran Bennett, CEO of the RPD Foundation, emphasises the importance of collaboration in driving change:

“We believe that collaboration is the cornerstone of community transformation. This project provides the tools and support needed to create impactful, sustainable partnerships that benefit everyone involved.”

Steve Sawyer, Executive Director at Manor Royal BID, highlighted the mutual benefits  of the project:

“We are excited about the potential for this initiative to enhance the connections between Manor Royal companies and the good causes of Crawley for mutual benefit and growth, both personal and professional. I’m really interested in the concept of a considerate, compassionate and collaborative business community properly supported in meaningful social value activities. This is our opportunity to explore that.” 

Echoing these sentiments, Toby Shaw, Chief Executive of Crawley Community Action, stresses the importance of bridging the gap between businesses and charities:

“This project is about building connections between businesses and charities to deliver meaningful outcomes for the Crawley community. Together we make a difference.”

Looking Ahead

The RPD Foundation invites businesses and charities to stay engaged with the initiative through social media and their website. By uniting corporate organisations with charities, this project aims to redefine how businesses contribute to society, creating a more connected and supportive community in Crawley and beyond.

For updates and ways to get involved, follow the RPD Foundation through their LinkedIn page: @RPDFoundation.