Fixing cars and communities: Solus employees step up.
When it comes to corporate giving, Solus ARC wanted to take a different route, one that truly reflected the voices of their team. Rather than selecting a single cause from the top down, Solus joined Crowdfunder Connect’s employee giving programme, enabling their CSR plans to put decision-making power directly into the hands of their people.
Through this initiative, every employee received a pre-paid voucher worth £60 to pledge on a live crowdfunding project of their choice. Whether close to home or close to heart, staff were free to support projects that resonated with their personal values.
The results were inspiring: employees backed a broad spectrum of community causes, from climate action to financial wellbeing, each one chosen entirely by the individual. A brilliant example of how purpose-led giving can empower people, amplify impact, and build stronger connections between businesses and the communities they care about.
Here’s a flavour of the projects supported:
Climate and environment projects:
Community apiaries (beehives) promoting biodiversity and pollinator protection
Tree planting schemes to create greener public spaces
Beaver reintroduction programmes helping restore natural habitats
Social or community projects:
Money skills workshops for those experiencing homelessness
Initiatives tackling bed poverty, providing beds for children in need
Food banks with wrap around support
With over 1,000 employees, one project that truly captured the imagination of Solus’s team - The FAWrient Express Roastery. This inspiring initiative set out to raise donations to support a programme designed to equip pupils with special educational needs and disabilities with the skills to roast, blend and package their very own signature coffee. Their goal? To sell it at a pioneering café housed inside a restored Mark 2 first class train carriage.
A creative social enterprise with education and inclusion at its heart, the project didn’t just teach practical skills. It was built to empower young people with greater financial resilience and independence for the future. The FAWrient Express Roastery received an impressive 74 voucher pledges, more than any other project in the programme.
Supporting ideas within the community sparked a genuine sense of pride among Solus employees, one that rippled throughout the organisation. When given the opportunity to choose where their vouchers would go, many felt empowered to support causes that resonated deeply with their personal values and local experiences. This freedom of choice not only fostered a stronger sense of connection to their communities, but also cultivated a shared culture of giving across the business. It wasn’t just about making donations, it was about making a difference together. As a result, a significant percentage of employees embraced the initiative wholeheartedly, turning their vouchers into powerful acts of kindness.
"By giving employees the opportunity to decide where funding goes, our partners create a more engaged workforce and drive meaningful change in communities. It’s a win-win for everyone." - Anna Jones, Crowdfunder
Through Crowdfunder Connect, Solus has enabled a seamless way to align corporate giving with personal purpose, making every pound go further - and every act of generosity runs that little bit smoother. Whether it’s backing grassroots community efforts or championing national charities, these donations are a reflection of what matters most to them. By putting the power of choice into the hands of individuals, Solus has been able to amplify its social impact but also strengthen the connection between its people and the positive changes they’re helping to create. It’s another great example of how businesses can drive purpose-driven action.
"We all could be one pay cheque away from being in hard times. I hope this little bit helps." - Donation to Park Royal, LDHAS - Homeless Hub
“I hope this goes towards putting right what generations have done wrong for so many years.” - Donation to Help us protect ocean health
"I am a great animal lover, and if I can help a great cause then I will. Thank you Aviva for helping too” - Donation to RSPCA West Norfolk
If you wish to find out more about becoming a Crowdfunder Connect Partner just like Solus, get in contact to have your own demonstration of the Connect Platform.
