CHARITY
MONITOR
WCIT Charity ChOps Committee
What is ChOps and what does it do within the Livery
Company?
ChOps is the shorthand name for the Charitable Operations Committee.
It evaluates requests for grants, ensures that grants meet our charitable
objectives, and makes recommendations for funding. It also channels projects
into the Pro Bono & Projects Panel (P&P) process if strategic volunteer
support from our members is needed.
Where does ChOps get its money?
From donations by the membership, fundraising by the Panels and one-off
donations from businesses and other organisations. As Continuous Charitable
Giving (CCG) continues to gather momentum, we will have more money to
give away each year. If you would like to sign up to CCG to help increase our
grant-giving from the WCIT Charity then please do contact Eleanor at the Hall
at [email protected]
Monitor caught up with
its Chairman, Court
Assistant Dr Stefan
Fafinski, to find out
what on earth “ChOps”
means and how this
WCIT Charity
Sub-Committee works...
How much money does it give away each year?
Last year, ChOps gave away £31,380. We have £50,000 in the budget this
year.
How many applications does ChOps receive each year?
Last year we received 143 applications and provided grants to support
over 35 projects.
Who decides how the money is spent?
We do, on behalf of the Charity Trustees - the Committee manages the ChOps
budget on behalf of the WCIT Charity. There are six people who sit on the
board alongside myself and the Clerk, consisting of Liverymen and Past
Masters. The process from application to grant-making is coordinated through
Eleanor at the Hall with oversight from the Clerk and Financial Controller
Rachel.
What charities has it supported recently?
“Thank you to WCIT for your generous
donation towards AbilityNet and
iT4Communities... Through your
continued support we are able to help
so many charities to ensure they can use
IT effectively in their daily delivery of
service…we look forward to our
continued relationship”
Page 8
Nigel Lewis, CEO of AbilityNet
Our biggest grants in the last year went to our long