Goodman Derrick are pleased to announce its membership of The Funding Network’s corporate programme. The Funding Network holds regular live crowdfunding events where members and guests can discover and engage with innovative charitable projects. The Funding Network commented:

"The Funding Network (TFN) has a longstanding relationship with Goodman Derrick, as hosts of our live crowdfunding events, and recently Stephanie Brobbey, a Solicitor at Goodman Derrick, joined our Board of Trustees. We are really pleased that Goodman Derrick is supporting TFN further by becoming a corporate member. Corporate membership with TFN provides all staff members with a unique opportunity to engage in philanthropy; our regular live crowdfunding events, held at corporate spaces, offer great networking in a relaxed atmosphere as well as the chance to hear directly from innovative social change projects in their grassroots stages before supporting them during our pledging session. You are also invited to join us at our City Funding Network events – held in bars and informal spaces in London, they are a shorter version of our regular events, inviting City professionals to dip their toe in philanthropy.

TFN has been supporting grassroots social change projects since 2002, providing initial funding to projects that are now known globally, such as FoodCycle, Reprieve and No Fire Zone.

As a corporate member, Goodman Derrick staff are able to contribute to our events in a number of ways. As well as attending all London events for free, any employee can nominate a project to pitch at an event, and if not nominating, you are encouraged to help shape our events by attending a selection panel where members decide which projects to put forward to pitch."

The Funding Network’s team interviewed James Caulfield, Head of Business Development at Goodman Derrick, to ask why the firm have decided to join TFN:

Why has Goodman Derrick decided to become corporate members of TFN?

"We have had a relationship with TFN for a number of years, initially through attendance at the fantastic City Funding Network evenings. Our relationship has grown from those initial tentative steps and we now have several regular supporters from the firm at events - we have hosted an vent at our office and most recently Stephanie Brobbey has become a trustee of TFN. We really believe in the work that TFN does to raise funds for charities involved in social change projects and our corporate membership is both a show of support from the firm and a way for us to encourage more engagement."

What kind of CSR policy does Goodman Derrick have?

"Our CSR policy covers charitable giving and pro bono advice given by our lawyers to charities they believe in. We encourage our people to roll up their sleeves and get involved where they want to and most recently we have formed a CSR and Pro Bono committee who will champion our work more publicly and organise our activity. Ultimately we would like to find a charity to work with as a pro-bono client over the long term, as we strongly believe that we can make a big difference with the advice we can give, and that we can help a charity grow and deliver their goals as widely as possible. On a more light-hearted note, we also have two highly successful cake bake-offs every year and the firm matches the money raised for charities selected by our staff. These events are great fun and often attract cake enthusiasts from other organisations in our building!"

Do you think it’s important for City professionals to engage in philanthropy?

"The City can feel like a bubble sometimes. Philanthropy can help professionals gain perspective and give something back to a world that is advantageous for them, but often difficult for others."

What does Goodman Derrick hope to gain from its membership with TFN?

"Let’s wait and see! But we would like more of our people to become involved with TFN and to get to know more of the inspiring people in your network."

Further information

Please contact James Caulfield, Head of Business Development, using +44 (0)20 7421 7968 or [email protected].

Goodman Derrick LLP

Goodman Derrick is a leading commercial law firm in the City of London.

We are recognised for providing high quality legal advice across a range of practice areas and for our distinctive, client-focused service.

Our distinction lies not in what we offer, but the way we offer it to our clients.