Our
community.
Social impact on a scale well beyond any other UK airport.
We are tremendously proud of our track record of success and capital investment in the fabric of our local communities. As a direct result of our public ownership, since 1998 we have provided more than £257m to support vital local front-line services, together with an additional £155m for community investment projects that have transformed the lives of tens of thousands of vulnerable people.
This unique community investment programme now has an annual budget of approximately £7.4m, with half funding Active Luton (leisure services) and The Culture Trust Luton (arts, cultural, heritage and library services). About 50 local charities are also supported, including Alzheimer’s Society, Age Concern, Autism Bedfordshire, Luton Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Luton Foodbank, Headway, Luton Women’s Aid, Relate, Stepping Stones, The Prince’s Trust and Victim Support.
We also have a Community Engagement Programme to thank the people of Luton for their support of the airport. This supports community festivals such as the Luton Carnival, the Luton Mela, the Luton Fireworks and number of other annual events.
Click on the links below to read more the stories behind some of the causes we support:
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“I didn’t see any point being alive.”
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“We should be telling these stories.”
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“Everywhere the kids could have fun was closed.”
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“I kept on falling over, and hallucinating.”
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“It’s exhilarating. I just love the atmosphere.”
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“They treated me with respect, and my whole life changed.”
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How our community support is allocated
Our funding programme consisting of four separate funds, each designed to provide a form of funding suitable to a specific purpose:
Community Investment Fund
With an annual budget of approximately £4m, the Community Investment Fund provides significant and sustainable funding to ‘outcomes partners’ – charitable organisations having a major and key role in contributing to the delivery of priority outcomes in the medium-to-long-term.
Luton Rising Small Grants Fund
With an annual budget of £500,000, this Fund provides small grants of up to £10,000, generally but not necessarily limited to one year only to support community and voluntary activity in Luton. Assistance maybe sought for project work, running costs, support with rent, rates or room hire, and capital investment. Depending on the availability of funding, a limited number of donations of up to £25,000 may be made.
Luton Rising Near Neighbour Fund
This fund provides one-year grants to support community and voluntary organisations in the communities outside the Borough of Luton, that are most affected by airport operations.
Enterprise Fund
With an annual budget of £25,000, the Enterprise Fund provides grants for one year, generally of £1,000, to support the start-up of small businesses, including social enterprises, by Luton residents with particular focus being given to areas of significant deprivation.
Since 2012, the Community Investment, Small Grants and Near Neighbour Funds have been administered by the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation. Contact them for more information about the funds and how you can apply.
Luton 2040
Since September 2019, Luton Council has been engaging with partners and residents across the town to shape and co-produce a vision for Luton 2040. The impact of COVID-19 has reinforced the need for a town where everyone works together to address the challenges of poverty and inequality.
This vision will also be underpinned by commitments to make Luton both a child-friendly and a carbon neutral town. The goal is for a healthy, fair and sustainable town, where all can thrive and no-one has to live in poverty.
We are a proud and committed supporter, both morally and financially, of Luton 2040.