Founders4Schools Impact Review 2021-22

Chair's Welcome

Since our foundation 11 years ago, Founders4Schools (F4S) has made significant strides, facilitating over 1.7 million encounters that have benefitted more than 550,000 individuals who work at a small business, teach at a school or who are in full time education. This at-scale impact would not have been possible without the exceptional efforts of multiple stakeholders, to whom I extend my wholehearted appreciation.

In today’s world, delivering social impact has become increasingly vital for corporations. Investors value it, employees demand it, and customers seek businesses that prioritize social good. Research from McKinsey confirms that creating social value can contribute significantly to long-term value creation.

At F4S, we harness the power of the private sector to support teachers, students, small businesses, and charities. Through our skilled volunteering programs, we enable partners’ employees to mentor and support others in a manageable and flexible manner. Thousands of volunteers from companies of all sizes across the UK and the world participate, engaging with beneficiaries through one-on-one or small group interactions, sharing their knowledge, expertise, and passion. They make a positive impact in their communities, gain valuable skills, and find inspiration from the entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners. Real-time tracking of their impact and feedback from mentees further enhance their experience.

Our corporate partners receive detailed real-time reports on their employees’ volunteering activities, including information on who they are helping in terms of gender, ethnicity, sector, and location, as well as measures of satisfaction and engagement. All data reporting complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Innovation remains a core value for us. We continue to leverage AI to demonstrate our commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by providing teachers, students, and small business workforces with access to expert mentors who possess invaluable insights as practitioners.

We are grateful for the contributions of our volunteers, experts, and their invaluable time, knowledge, and career insights. A special thanks goes to our individual donors and corporate partners, whose generous donations and grants enable us to sustain our dedicated team of staff and contractors. Additionally, I express deep gratitude for the unwavering support and guidance provided by our esteemed Trustees, Advisors, and colleagues at F4S. Their ongoing contributions have been instrumental in our continued success. In these challenging times, I appreciate the resilience of my colleagues and the steadfast support of our partners, teachers, and businesses. I remain encouraged by the impact of our work in bridging the global skills gap and am committed to advancing our mission further.

Sherry Coutu CBE

Chair