The Cadbury Foundation marks its 85th anniversary supporting community causes

One the most recognised confectionery brands in the UK, Cadbury, is marking the 85th anniversary today (19 June) of its charitable foundation that has contributed millions to a number of charitable causes during its eventful history.

Established by company founders George and Richard Cadbury, it was originally named ‘The Charitable Brothers Trust’ in 1935, The Cadbury Foundation builds on both the brand’s rich heritage and the Cadbury brothers’ conviction that investing in local communities is good for business.

As the business, which is now under the ownership of Mondelēz International, noted, the brother’s revolutionary approach saw them focus on creating a prosperous, enterprising and inclusive community at the company’s home in Bournville, Birmingham. With green spaces and the health and wellbeing of their employees at the heart of their work, the area became known as the ‘factory in a garden’.

Since inception, the Foundation has been making donations to charities across the UK and Ireland supporting organisations to thrive and further benefit the communities they serve, with many of the Cadbury family serving as trustees throughout its history The very first donation made by The Cadbury Foundation was for £40 and was granted to Stirchley Girls Club in 1935. The first substantial contribution was then made in 1936 to the Bournville Village Trust, which enabled it to purchase the Weatheroak estate for £36,773.

The Foundation is still going strong 85 years later and over the last 15 years alone has donated more than £10 million to registered charities and community partners across the UK and Ireland.

Today, it has longstanding partnerships with a number of inspirational organisations, such as The British Paralympic Association, Down Syndrome Ireland and Grocery Aid. The Foundation also makes a number of grants to support emergency appeals including South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation in response to the flooding at the end of 2019 and more recently supported the National Emergency Trust Coronavirus appeal.

Along with national charities, the Foundation also supports smaller local charities that are important to its employee’s through a variety of programmes, such as its Cash Match initiative, which recognises employee fundraising efforts by matching the total amount raised. The company’s ‘Your Charity Your Choice’ scheme also proves exceptionally popular each year and sees employees nominate wellbeing-related charities that they have a personal connection to, with the final shortlisted charities voted for by the wider work force.

Kelly Farrell, community affairs manager at Mondelēz International, commented: “We’re extremely proud to continue the spirit of the Cadbury brothers and support so many fantastic charities and projects which make a real difference to the lives of so many each year.

“It’s still just as important to invest in local communities today as it was in 1935 and it’s a real privilege for us to continue the work of the Foundation 85 years later.”

Related content

Exclusive: Caobisco president Can Buharali set for World Confectionery Conference 2025 speaking return

Outgoing Fairtrade Foundation CEO welcomes retail boost for its product sales

Ferrero’s human rights progress report underlines key work tackling child labour issues