LoveBrum launches causes conference as landmark donation celebrated

Charity reaches six-figure mark in donations to local projects.

Birmingham charity LoveBrum has announced the launch of its first annual Causes Conference to mark the milestone of the charity donating £100,000 to local projects. Taking place on Thursday 25 October at Millennium Point, the free event invites local projects and charities to learn from experts on subjects ranging from comms and digital marketing, to legal advice and fundraising.

The announcement of LoveBrum’s Causes Conference comes as the charity reaches the £100,000 donation landmark. As well as the charity’s co-founder, Tim Andrews, being awarded the Chief Executive’s Award at last week’s City of Birmingham Business Awards. Founded as a way to showcase and support local ‘hidden gem’ projects in 2015, LoveBrum has now showcased 120 causes and funded 60 projects.

Each month, LoveBrum highlights three local projects as part of its monthly vote and earlier this year, thanks to National Lottery funding, the charity was able to commit to donating to all three causes. Since June, a monthly £3,500 funding pot launched, with the winning cause receiving £2,000, and then a £1,000 and £500 donation to the second and third place projects respectively.

Paul Mitchell, Executive Director of LoveBrum, comments: “This is such an amazing milestone for the charity… £100,000 is a huge amount of money and has made a real differenceto each and every project that we’ve funded. We are committed to really seeking out those ‘hidden gem’ people and projects who are working hard to make their communities even better, but often don’t receive the platform to shout about what they’re doing.

“We’re not only able to give them that platform, but also donate money and service support that can completely change the nature of what they do. I’m so proud of everyone involved in LoveBrum; not just the team, but our committees, ambassadors, patrons and members who have dedicated time and money to help us reach this fantastic amount of money!”

To celebrate reaching this milestone, LoveBrum has now introduced what will become an annual Causes Conference, where the projects can come together to learn from experts and share their own best practice.

The first event is taking place at Millennium Point on 25th October, where the likes of Aston University and Gymshark will offer expert knowledge on marketing and online presence; engaging the causes with the importance of digital marketing but also encouraging them to shout about the great work they are doing for the city. Emma Jones, from All in All Events, will also be on hand to offer expert advice on events and fundraising, as well as the brand-new Aston Law School Law Clinic team who will be on hand to answer any questions causes may have around the legal aspects of businesses.

Paul continues: “We are so excited to host our first Causes Conference; we always had the aim of providing wider business support to projects and this is a really tangible way for us to provide this. We are bringing together some fantastic experts to share advice and experiences that can help people running these great local projects to do so in the most effective, efficient and engaging ways.

“It’s the perfect opportunity to bridge the gap between our corporate world and the communities we’re all supporting through LoveBrum, and I urge anyone who is running any kind of cause, project or charity, to come along on the day!”

With all money raised through membership and events going directly into the LoveBrum funding pot, the charity relies on corporate support to help with every day overheads. These supporters include both patrons and corporate members, which includes both No5 Chambers and Thompson Co, who have recently renewed patron memberships.

Took find out more information and to book your place at the Causes Conference, visit the event page.