M&S: A Champion of Multi-Cause Levy-Gifting

M&S’s exemplary use of the apprenticeship levy highlights the immense potential for businesses to have a real-world impact on the effectiveness of charities in the UK.

M&S is leading the way for levy-gifters

M&S, a leading British retailer known for its quality products and Plan A approach to corporate social responsibility. Through the strategic use of their apprenticeship levy, M&S is creating a significant and far-reaching impact across multiple charitable causes, supporting both the disability-focused charity Scope and food redistribution charity FareShare.

Supporting Scope: A vision for inclusivity

M&S has continued to support Scope, a leading charity advocating for a society where disabled people have equal opportunities. By funding the Scope cohort, M&S is helping individuals gain the skills and confidence they need to thrive in an inclusive workplace. This initiative aligns with M&S’s longstanding commitment to social mobility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, has the chance to succeed.

"Scope has a long history of providing data driven reports which are used and referred to across the UK. Good quality data is important not only to the data and digital team at Scope but also across all functions such as, retail, marketing, fundraising and services. Scope needs quality data to rely on if we are going to create an equal future with disabled people. We are so grateful to M&S for enabling us to enrol learners onto Corndel and Imperial College’s fantastic data programmes. These programmes are helping Scope to expand and spread data-driven skills across all functions of the charity." – Kwesi Afful, Digital and Data Executive Director at Scope

Supporting FareShare: Tackling hunger through leadership

When FareShare, the UK’s largest food redistribution charity, received more applications than its partner Gousto could fund, M&S stepped in with additional support. This allowed FareShare to expand its leadership programme, equipping more managers with the skills to lead their teams effectively and further the charity’s vital work in combating hunger and reducing food waste. M&S’s involvement showcases their ability to respond swiftly to emerging needs, ensuring that charities like FareShare can continue to grow and fulfil their missions.

"FareShare are thrilled to be able to invest in our talented managers, and to foster more collaboration across our amazing network of partner organisations. We are so grateful to partners like M&S who have helped us to enrol learners onto the Corndel Diploma in Leadership and Management. FareShare are delighted to be delivering this programme with Corndel due to their fantastic reputation. Their approach has been consistently supportive and appreciative of the network structure that makes FareShare special." – FareShare

The M&S levy-gifting model

Through their multi-levy-gifting approach, M&S has proven how levy-gifting can be used for multiple charities, driving social change across various sectors. Their strategic support of Scope and FareShare is a win-win opportunity—supporting business CSR goals while making a significant, lasting difference in society. M&S’s model of thoughtful levy-gifting sets the standard for the kind of partners we aim to work with in the future.

The Corndel Levy Pledge

The Corndel Levy Pledge is at the heart of this initiative, addressing a pressing issue in the charitable sector – the underutilisation of available funds. Many charities struggle to stay afloat because of economic challenges and a decline in charitable donations. Since its inception, the Corndel Levy Pledge has successfully redirected over £5 million of unused Levy funds to charities over the past three years.

M&S’s exemplary use of the apprenticeship levy highlights the immense potential for businesses to have a real-world impact on the effectiveness of charities in the UK. Organisations can empower the third sector by carefully allocating unspent levy funds, upskilling individuals, fostering leadership, and building resilient communities. We invite organisations to explore the power of levy-gifting and consider how their unspent funds can be leveraged to contribute to vital causes. Together, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Corndel’s dedicated Charity Team

Find out more about the Corndel Levy Pledge below, or get in touch with our team charities@corndel.com

Corndel Levy Pledge