Advocacy

Giving Back

“Success in business goes hand in hand with giving back to the communities in which we operate.”

STEVE RIGBY

PLACE-BASED GIVING

Place-based giving is a strategic approach where donors focus their resources and charitable efforts on specific geographic areas, such as neighbourhoods, cities, or regions.

Place-based giving is most effective when there is long-term commitment between donors and charitable organisations working closely with community leaders, local government agencies, and stakeholders to address unique community challenges. This sustained collaboration helps create sustainable solutions that empower those in need through research, training, tools, and facilities, ensuring that progress is both meaningful and enduring.

Steve embraces this approach as Chair of The Rigby Foundation through various evidenced-based initiatives:

The Rigby Foundation

Steve chairs The Rigby Foundation, a family-led charity originally set up by his parents, Sir Peter Rigby and Patricia Rigby, more than three decades ago. The Foundation funds programmes that enable young people from less advantaged backgrounds to access the best education possible and gain opportunities to secure meaningful and sustainable employment.

2025 marked Rigby Group’s 50th anniversary, and the Rigby family decided to focus their Foundation’s support on the West Midlands, particularly central and south Birmingham, to give back to the region and the communities in which they operate and where local people continue to help make Rigby Group such a success.

Inspiring Futures

Funded by The Rigby Foundation, Inspiring Futures is an innovative £3 million, three-year programme that pairs 10 Birmingham-based education partners with 10 leading charities that support more than 1,000 students from disadvantaged backgrounds to help them achieve goals and aspirations they would not otherwise obtain, including:

  • English and Maths proficiency.

  • Essential life and job skills like leadership, problem solving, debating, and project management.

  • Higher education and apprenticeships

  • Employability workshops to prepare them for the world of work.

  • Wellbeing support with a particular focus on mental health.

Other Rigby Foundation Initiatives

Although the majority of our funding support Inspiring Futures, The Rigby Foundation also funds strategic projects with other non-profits that complement our core work, including:

PHILANTHROPY POLICY

Absenteeism Research

The Rigby Foundation partnered with The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) to explore how best to address the growing challenge of school absenteeism.

Young People in West Midlands

“A New Deal for Young People in the West Midlands" was commissioned by The Rigby Foundation to help understand and address challenges facing young people in the region.