Charitable Giving

About

This formal policy outlines the TYF company approach to civic and community engagement and charitable giving. 


Background

As one the Founding B Corps in the UK and the first in Wales in 2015, TYF take great pride in being an ethical, sustainable and regenerative business for people and planet. From 2006 - 2013, TYF was a member of the 1% for the Planet initiative, a global movement of businesses formally committing to give at least one percent of their business sales to environmental causes. During this period we gave over Ā£50,000 to charitable causes and supported environmental groups such as WWF, Surfers Against Sewage and the Hay Festival.


Moving on from the 1% for the Planet initiative, TYF made a conscious decision to have greater control over these funds, channel them to more locally-focused projects and initiatives and give in line with our company values, ethos and mission. This policy outlines and details this approach.


Designed to Give

Since becoming a Certified B Corp in 2015 by "using business as a force for good", and recertifying in 2018, we have enhanced and explored our charitable giving approach and focus. This is in alignment with B Corp's Designed to Give Impact Business Model by focusing on formally committing to donating the equivalent of 5% or more of our time through pro-bono services, on an annual basis. 


This is because we recognise and acknowledge that access to our products and services is not currently financially accessible to all. Therefore, through this commitment, we will support underrepresented, disadvantaged, and less-abled groups, individuals and schools as well as those who may not be able to financially afford our products/services, to experience and access our educational and adventure services. This is in keeping with our mission to help people fall in love with nature and includes people from all backgrounds and walks of life.


Previous beneficiaries of this commitment include:

  • ArcticFox Adaptive,

  • Muslim Family Adventures

  • Ysgol y Ddraig School

  • Various Pembrokeshire schools

  • Subsidies for all educational trips.


Civic and Community Engagement

In addition to the formal commitment outlined above, TYF also takes part in further civic and community engagement in the following ways (however, not limited to):

  • Offers financial or in-kind donations

  • Community volunteering days for employees

  • Advocacy for supporting or adopting improved environmental and social performance and/or policies

  • Partnerships or memberships with charitable and community organisations

  • Reduced and discounted products or services to qualified underserved groups

  • Reduced and discounted products or services to members of the local community.

  • Free use of company facilities or products for community events

  • Operate a TYF Community Membership scheme whereby members receive a 10% discount on products or services as well as additional benefits

  • TYF Adventure Club - local participants aged 8 to 16 take part in free weekly adventures with TYF instructors. Giveaway for 2022 projected to be Ā£125,000.


Decision Making

The commitments outlined above are in alignment with and aim to contribute to fulfilling TYF's mission statement: "We are on a mission to help people fall so deeply in love with nature that it changes the way they live. We inspire generations with low-carbon, eco-friendly outfitted adventures whilst learning in the wild and beautiful St. David's peninsula"


The beneficiaries of these commitments, some of which are highlighted above, can be wide-ranging, however have to adhere to our environmental and social ethos, commitments and screening which includes the following areas of work and/or outcomes / impacts:

  • Access to nature / outdoor learning / adventure for all (including underrepresented / underserved groups and/or individuals)

  • Environmental education projects / initiatives

  • Positive social or environmental impact in the local community

  • Improved physical or mental health and wellbeing


  • Carbon and resource reduction


  • Biodiversity improvement projects


This criteria is updated annually. Individual staff members can contribute ideas and suggestions for causes and groups. We will also match individual staff members donations up to Ā£200 amount per year per employee with a total capped at Ā£5000. Chosen groups / causes are agreed by the Board of Directors in the first Board of Directors meeting of the new financial year.


We are currently in development of a TYF Fund whereby we allocate funds to specific groups / causes for a chosen time period whilst building strategic relationships with these groups / partners to further enhance impact.