Presentation given by Simon Sheehan, Hilton in the Community Foundation, UK, at a FEANTSA seminar on "Funding strategies: Building the case for homelessness", hosted by the Committee of the Regions, June 2012

1. Hilton in the Community Foundation:
What role for business groups in homeless policy?
One corporate foundation’s response to the issue of homelessness
Simon Sheehan, Director
June 8th 2012, Brussels

2. ABOUT US: key information
• Independent registered charity, est 2001
• Official charity of Hilton Worldwide in Europe
• Company covers costs of administration and
subsidises fundraising
• Top 30 Corporate Foundations and Trusts
based on grants awarded in a year (UK)
• €12.8 million donated to date 2012
• Every net pound and penny raised goes to the
grant fund
• Charitable giving is focused on:
- Young People and Education
- Young People and Health

3. ABOUT US: where we operate
• Active in 27 countries
• Roots are in UK/Ireland – majority
of fundraising and giving is there
but Europe growing
• Local giving model – supporting
local young people in each country
through hotel fundraising

4. ABOUT US: our mission
• To make a real difference to those
young people who are most in need
• To equip young people with the skills and
opportunities to have a brighter future
• Through providing grant support to:
Education - Training/re-training,
educational equipment, activity based
learning, sports equipment, transport etc.
Health - medical equipment, care facilities,
activity based holidays, awareness
campaigns, hospices, “make-a-wish”
activities, treatment etc.

5. Why homelessness?
• One of four core areas of funding focus
chosen by our volunteers:
– Disabled Children and Young People
– Life-limited Children
– Homelessness
– Children in Hospital
• Direct and visible need in our communities;
connection to wide range of social issues
• Natural synergy with hotels:
– Employability
– Skill sharing
– In-kind giving

6. How have we engaged?
• We have partnered with 40 different
organisations since 2008, donating £285,000
(€342,000) from voluntary income
• Projects funded include:
- Formal training and accredited courses
- Life-skills training
- Peer education to prevent homelessness
- Volunteer hosting costs for emergency
accommodation
- Refurbishment projects e.g. kitchens,
bedrooms, IT provision
• More than money: Provided in-kind support
(furniture, toiletries, soft furnishings)
• Hilton as employer: Provided a gateway to
careers advice and possible employment

7. What role for business groups?
• Recognizing our collective responsibility
• Being aware of our limitations and managing
expectations of the sector
– e.g., Trust /Foundation income reducing;
businesses probably can’t fill this gap
• Celebrating what is done already – to help
spread awareness and yield new ideas

8. What role for business groups?
• Employment
• Positive Brand alignment – can bring
recognition
• In kind support
– but Businesses moving towards counting ‘hours’ and ‘in kind
support’ versus hard cash
• Possible source of volunteer mentors for the
young people

9. A case study: Amber Foundation
• Amber provides quality support for homeless
young people in three UK counties, helping to
transform their lives
• Central grant recipient: great results
(80% success rate)
• Nominated charity partner for Hilton Swindon
• Fundraising – including the young people in
activities
• Practical help: CV clinics, interviews and
support from HR
• Powerful stories from young people which
engage funders and supporters

10. Issues of engaging businesses
• ROI
• Competition
• Emotive cause
• Different time scale
• Scale of impact
• Attitude and ability
• Afford to work and Pay day