About the Foundation

The Shanly Group of companies was established in 1969 by chairman and owner, Michael Shanly. The principal operating companies in the Group are Shanly Homes, Sorbon Estates and Shanly Partnership Homes.

Shanly Foundation, the Group's charitable arm, is financed entirely by the profits generated by the Shanly Group of companies. The Shanly Group and Shanly Foundation have to date contributed in excess of £25m to thousands of local community groups and charitable organisations to provide support and improve the quality of life for those most in need.

Each and every application received by the Shanly Foundation is considered thoroughly with award recipients determined not only by the Trustees of the Foundation but also by the staff of the Shanly Group of companies whose hard work makes all of this possible. Staff are invited to attend monthly Foundation meetings and are actively encouraged to introduce charities and organisations that are close to their hearts.

Shanly Foundation aims to help members of society across a broad spectrum of worthy causes including the young, the elderly, those with a physical handicap, mental illness, injury or life limiting illness. The Foundation primarily supports local community groups, charities, schools and organisations operating in the Home Counties and Thames Valley.

Whilst the Foundation tends to make a large number of awards across a wide spectrum, on occasion larger awards are granted where it is considered a greater impact can be achieved.

Who the Foundation supports

Shanly Foundation primarily supports good local causes including scouting and guide groups, schools, community groups, sporting groups, social and community events, Rotary clubs and registered charities. 

Our award or pledge is usually a one-off however we also have a number of organisations we support on a long-term regular basis. 

These groups include:

SATRO, Guildford - an educational charity and social enterprise which works with young people in Surrey and the South East provbiding real-life experience of all aspects of the working world.

Sayers Croft, Cranleigh - a beautiful, safe site with 56 acres of woodlands, meadows, ponds and fields which provides quality outdoor experiences for young people. 

Thames Valley Adventure Playground, Taplow - an indoor and outdoor playground offering children and adults with special needs the fun, freedom and friendship afforded by the opportunity to play and share experiences in a safe and stimulating environment.

Maidenhead Advertiser Cracker Appeal - money raised throughout the year is distributed at Christmas to local elderly, homeless, disadvantaged and children's groups and charities enabling them to enjoy festive cheer.

Who and what the Foundation has supported recently

PACT
  • PACT’s Family and Children Therapeutic Support Service (FACTS) provides therapeutic support tailored to the needs of adopted children, many of whom have suffered abuse or neglect. 
  • Support from the Shanly Foundation goes towards PACT’s therapeutic support for adopting families.

 

Maidenhead Rowing Club
  • Money donated supports the club and enables children to participate in rowing who may not otherwise have been able to afford club fees, kit or competition entry fees.
  • This ensures that all children have the opportunity to experience and enjoy rowing.
The Scout Association
  • Helping over 450,000 young people each year in the UK enjoy new adventures.
  • In 2017 the Shanly Foundation and The Scout Association ran Building Futures, a competition which offered Scout groups the opportunity to win up to £100,000 to build their dream hut. 
Chiltern Rangers
  • A social enterprise working with local communities to provide practical habitat management of the woodlands, chalk grassland, commons, ponds and chalk streams in the Chilterns area.
  • Shanly Foundation funding will support the Rangers volunteer programme.
Marlow Rotary Club – Youth in the Community Awards
  • Marlow Rotary Club and Shanly Foundation have launched a new community fund to support new and existing initiatives which enable young people to develop their contribution to the local community.
  • Funding awards will be granted in April 2018.
Culpeper Community Garden
  • A beautiful public open space created and managed by local people in the heart of Islington. The garden brings the community together and provides an oasis to be proud of.
  • Funds from the Shanly Foundation will help towards ongoing upkeep and maintenance of the garden.
The Beaconsfield School
  • The Beaconsfield School provides secondary and sixth form education for 11-18 years in Buckinghamshire.
  • Shanly Foundation funding will contribute towards the building of two ICT suites which will provide the students with up-to-date equipment.
Farms for city children
  • Farms for city children offers children from all over the country the opportunity to live and work together for a week on a real farm in the heart of the countryside.
  • The money donated has provided a school in Aylesbury with this exciting opportunity.

Charitable organisations close to the Foundation’s heart

Satro Sayers Croft Rivertime Boat Trust TVAP Beech Lodge School Cracker Appeal