Sir Robert McAlpine, South West Water and Argent Related have joined forces with ActionFunder, a new platform which makes it easier and quicker than ever for firms to channel funds to community grassroots activity that matter to their business, people and customers.

Businesses are already giving £2.7bn to charities in England and Wales each year but small and micro charities receive only 2% of this amount with most going to bigger charity brands. ActionFunder is tapping into a growing desire among businesses of all sizes to do more to support these smaller charities as well as small community initiatives whose role in tackling the climate crisis and growing inequality has been spotlighted during the Covid pandemic.

Sir Robert McAlpine is amongst a cross-industry group of founder funders backing today’s call from ActionFunder for hundreds of businesses to set up grant programmes for local causes during the next three months following launch. During the platform’s pilot phase around 650 projects have come forward seeking support with thousands more charitable and community projects now joining. ActionFunder will draw upon an existing register of charitable organisations curated by Semble, the B Corp behind the platform. £350,000 has been committed during the site’s four month-long beta trial period.

ActionFunder’s ‘tech for good’ matching functionality helps businesses quickly find relevant projects that meet their giving preferences with attributes including geography and cause areas mapped according to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Businesses get an impact report, images and video content from grantees through the platform within weeks of project completion.

Over the past few months, founder funder Sir Robert McAlpine has funded around 40 projects through ActionFunder in communities near its construction sites across eight UK locations.

As a 152-year old family-owned business, one of our defining values is the care we show our people, our clients and our partners. Wherever we have projects, the measure of our success must include the positive, lasting legacy we leave in those local communities to ensure they thrive. ActionFunder is helping us to quickly find, fund and follow the impact of community action. Although we are literally in the business of community building, every business is, to some extent, a custodian and champion for the communities they operate in.
Hector McAlpine Executive Partner, Sir Robert McAlpine

ActionFunder’s trial phase has generated interest from professional services firms, companies with a network of local offices, family-owned businesses and foundations looking to deliver on their local environmental and social commitments without needing specialist in-house resource.

ActionFunder is a virtual funding agent for community groups and small charities enabling them to pitch, just once, for consideration by many companies. The platform provides a video pitching feature as an alternative to a written application form, enabling voluntary sector leaders to convey the passion and demand driving their charitable project. ActionFunder levies a 5% fee on funds.

We are witnessing a new movement of community-centric companies - a modern manifestation of the values that drove the Rowntree and Cadbury businesses. ActionFunder is making corporate giving faster, more tangible and relevant to employees and customers. This is a win-win for communities and for business.
Mark Shearer Founder of ActionFunder

Latest news

British Forces in Business honour for Rachael Smith
27 Jun 2025

Congratulations to Rachael Smith, our Head of HR – Strategy & Transformation, who was named Role Model of the Year at the British Forces in Business Awards 2025.

Read more about
Supporting the Armed Forces community
26 Jun 2025

During Armed Forces Week, we speak to Katy Maloney to understand how our commitment to the Forces community provides essential support for military families.

Read more about
Defence ERS Silver Award
23 Jun 2025

As we celebrate the beginning of Armed Forces Week 2025, we are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award.

Read more about