• Our commitment
• Our actions
  • Local community initiatives
  • Volunteering
  • Matched funding
  • Employee awards

Our commitment

The Financial Times (FT) is committed to being part of and contributing to the communities where it operates.

We support global projects, local initiatives and causes that matter to our employees and readers. In line with Pearson guidelines, we aim to invest in schemes that:

• support journalism, the environment and local communities
• advance literacy and education.

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Our actions

Local community initiatives

The FT supports a number of community initiatives in London, Hong Kong and New York. If you’re interested in becoming an FT community partner, email communications@ft.com.

Berkley Graduate School of Journalism

The FT has been supporting the Berkley Graduate School of Journalism for three years, funding their Investigative Reporting Fellowship (IRP) programme, which gives students the chance to works as a full time journalist for a year. The IRP functions both as a specialized graduate-level training program and as a non-profit news gathering operation, generating stories for major broadcast, print and online outlets.

University of the Arts London
The Financial Times supports the University of the Arts London (UAL) by offering a bursary scheme to one student a year, accepted on the MA Journalism at the London College of Communication (LCC). Located within London, UAL’s six colleges make up Europe’s largest specialist arts and design university which delivers a diverse range of courses at all levels from foundation and undergraduate to postgraduate and research.

The Unicorn Theatre

The Unicorn Theatre is Britain’s flagship children’s theatre. Every year, the purpose-built venue welcomes over 90,000 children, their schools and their families.

We support the Unicorn Access performances. These are new and pioneering ways of making theatre accessible to children with sensory impairments and profound multiple learning disabilities. We’ve also provided complimentary advertising to local London causes including Shakespeare’s Globe and the Lord Mayor’s Thames Festival.

Trees for cities

Trees for Cities is an independent charity which encourages people to plant trees worldwide. The charity seeks to create social cohesion and improve the quality of our cities through tree planting, community-led design, education and training initiatives in urban areas that need it most.

TEAM

The European-Atlantic Movement (TEAM)
TEAM is a charity that aims to promote the understanding and discussion of European, transatlantic and world affairs to both students and teachers. TEAM holds sixth form conferences and seminars in schools across the UK on European issues, and transatlantic relations that fit in with students’ curriculum.

Better Bankside
Better Bankside is the Business Improvement District ( BID) surrounding the FT’s London office. A BID is an independent, business-owned and led company, which seeks to improve the quality of the area and enhance the competitiveness of its businesses. Through Better Bankside, FT employees have the opportunity to volunteer to help with the range of services it provides, from mentoring to clearing parks or providing professional skills.

Coalition for the Homeless

In the US, the FT has partnered with Coalition for the Homeless. The charity helps over 3,500 clients reclaim their lives through tools and support such as housing, job training, emergency food, crisis intervention and youth programmes.

Island Harvest

In New York, the FT supports Island Harvest, a volunteer organisation that ‘rescues’ surplus food from over 600 Long Island restaurants, caterers, farms and other food-related businesses. It is then distributed to a network of around 500 soup kitchens, food pantries and other places where those in need can access it.

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Volunteering

The FT also promotes volunteering throughout the community and our employees take part in two main volunteering schemes: mentoring students and providing reading support.

Mentoring at Harris Academy Bermondsey, London

FT staff help and encourage students to:

• raise levels of attainment in GCSE exams
• develop their self confidence and self esteem
• develop social skills and personal responsibility.

Reading support at local Southwark schools, London

Employees provide reading support at local Southwark schools through Booktime, Pearson’s flagship community programme. Booktime promotes the pleasure of books and learning, and involves parents and carers in reading aloud with children.

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Matched funding

When our employees raise money for charity (e.g. by taking part in a fun run) they can ask the FT to match the money they have raised up to the value of £500 per employee per year.

Money can only be given to registered charities. We have previously provided support to employees raising funds for William Wates Memorial Trust, Macmillan and Wellbeing for Women, as well as many others.

Employee awards

To acknowledge employees’ efforts, Pearson runs a yearly Community Awards. All employees who take part in community work are invited to apply.

They have the opportunity to win $2,000 (or the local equivalent) for the charity they work with and $500 for themselves.

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