Wragge & Co is pleased to support its Charity of the Year (COTY). That charity is selected by our staff to receive support for one calendar year: 1 January to 31 December. During that year, we endeavour to build a lasting relationship with our charity partner and provide a range of fundraising and in-kind support.

COTY selection process

In August/September each year, we ask employees to nominate organisations which they would like to support as our COTY. We may on occasion accept nominations from the charity itself, but generally we would expect nominations to come from one of our employees.

The Corporate Responsibility (CR) team reviews those nominations and researches the organisation and work of the nominees. Any information which the charity can provide regarding the following areas would be useful in this process:

• aims of the charity and type of work undertaken;
• specific projects which may require funding/support;
• existing sources of funding e.g. whether partially government funded;
• geographical coverage of the charity's work;
• experience of working with corporate supporters; and
• types of opportunities for corporate involvement.

The CR team will shortlist three charities which they consider reflect Wragge & Co's own CR priorities, which offer opportunities for our people to use their skills and/or which otherwise have the potential to be a successful charity partner.

In arriving at the shortlist, the CR team will consider whether:

• the charity's activities have national coverage or, if a local charity, whether they cover both the Midlands and London regions;
• there are a range of opportunities for Wragge & Co's support and involvement beyond fundraising e.g. pro bono, volunteering, other in-kind contributions;
• it will be possible to identify the impact which our contribution will make to a particular project or activity, and whether that impact will make a considerable difference to the charity concerned;
• the work of the charity reflects Wragge & Co's CR priority areas: homelessness, education and mentoring, and inner city needs. You can find more information about these areas on our website; (needs a link here) and
• the charity has experience of working with corporate supporters.

This list is not exhaustive and we would not necessarily expect a charity to be able to fulfil all of these criteria.

The names of the shortlisted nominees, together with brief details of the aims and work of the charity, are circulated to Wragge & Co staff. All employees will be invited to vote for the shortlisted charity they would like the firm to support over the coming year.

The charity which receives the most employee votes will be selected as Wragge & Co's Charity of the Year.

If a charity is unsuccessful in being selected, either at the shortlisting or voting stage, this does not preclude them from being nominated in subsequent years.

COTY selection timetable

August / September

Wragge & Co employees asked to nominate charities for consideration.

September

CR team reviews nominations and conducts due diligence on each nominated charity. This may include contacting the charity for further information.

October

CR team produces a shortlist of three charities.

The shortlist is sent to all Wragge & Co employees, inviting them to vote.

November

The charity with most employee votes is selected as Wragge & Co's Charity of the Year.

December

The CR team liaises with the chosen charity to plan fundraising and support for the year ahead.

If you have further queries, please contact Lorna Gavin, head of corporate responsibility: lorna_gavin@wragge.com

Updated: 9 March 2010