We have put together a list of the most frequently asked questions and answers about the Costa Foundation, Costa Coffee and Whitbread. For FAQs on Costa Coffee, click here. For FAQs on Whitbread, click here.
Q. What is it?
A.
It is a registered charity (registered charity number 327489) set up in 2006 to put something back into coffee-growing communities within the countries from which we source our coffee beans.
The Costa Foundation has been set up under the charitable status of Charities Trust, which is already a registered charity. Charities Trust are handling the administration and finance of the Costa Foundation, and one of the reasons for using them is to minimise overhead costs. If the Costa Foundation is as successful as we hope it will be, we will apply for our own charity registration in the future.
Q. How does it support the coffee-growing communities?
A.
The Costa Foundation supports the coffee-growing communities by:
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building new schools or extending existing ones
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investing in water wells
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developing land for families to grow crops
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building teacher accommodation
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improving sanitation
Coffee farmers have specifically told us that educating their children is the best long-term solution to support the growth of their communities.
Q. Why did Costa set up the Costa Foundation?
A.
We recognise that without the farmers and co-operatives who grow our beans, we have no business. They are an integral part of Costa's success.
Q. How is the Costa Foundation funded?
A.
The Costa Foundation is funded through a number of mechanisms:
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Direct annual donation from Costa
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Match-funding by Whitbread and Costa
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National centrally-driven campaigns
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Store fundraising activities
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Individual team member fundraising
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Customer over-the-counter donations
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Payroll Giving contributions
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Sale of product
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Donations from partner organisations
Individual donations can also be increased through Gift Aid. Gift Aid is a government-led initiative that allows charities such as the Costa Foundation to reclaim the basic rate income tax on donations made to them by UK taxpayers who sign a Gift Aid declaration.
Q. What is Costa's / Whitbread's contribution to the charity?
A.
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Costa - Matching customer donations pound for pound during national campaigns
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Costa - Funding the setting-up costs for the Costa Foundation
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Costa - Funding the cost of launch and on-going promotional materials
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Whitbread - Matching employee fundraising pound for pound
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Whitbread - Matching new Payroll Giving donations pound for pound
Q. What are you doing to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Foundation's work?
A.
Costa's commitment to these projects is on-going. We are 100% committed to developing long-term, sustainable projects and to support this, schools can apply for grants to provide additional resources as and when required.
The grant-application process has no time limit - this will ensure the long-term sustainability of the projects.
Q. How do you choose the projects you are working with?
A.
Costa works in partnership with its UK brokers who have a close relationship with the co-operatives in the countries we support. The decision-making process is based on the following set criteria:
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Identifying a real need in terms of education
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Must be in countries from which we source our beans
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Identifying a strong partner to support the delivery of the project in the countries we support.
Q. Where is the money going?
A.
Costa has looked specifically at countries which supply its beans and then looked at how needy these countries are. We have supported Colombia, Ethiopia and Uganda in 2007/08. Ultimately, the coffee farmers have told us that sending their children to school is the best long-term solution to support the growth of their communities.
Q. Do you get your coffee beans directly from the communities that you are helping?
A.
Costa is purchasing beans directly from the communities we support.
Q. How is the money getting from Costa to the actual projects within the developing countries? How can you prove this?
A.
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We work closely with our Brokers who have long-term relationships with the Non- Government Organisations and Co-operatives who are responsible for the day-to-day project management in the countries we are supporting.
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Project Managers are appointed to oversee the day-to-day running of the projects and to manage the budget process.
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Regular project updates are provided and there is a robust auditing process in place to evaluate and measure progress. The staged release of funds is based on achieving agreed targets.
Q. What other organisations in the coffee growing countries does the Foundation work with?
A.
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Colombia Federacion Nacional Cafeteros de Colombia (FNC)
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Ethiopia Oromia Coffee Farmers Co-operative Union (OCFCU)
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Uganda Union Export Services Limited (UNEX)
Q. Is the work of the Costa Foundation securing additional leverage in the communities it is supporting?
A.
Yes.
In Colombia the local authority has provided kindergarten facilities within the primary school we have extended. As a result of Costa's investment, Intel have piloted a hand-held laptop scheme in Anatoli School to facilitate the children's learning. They hope to replicate this in similar projects around the world.
In Ethiopia, electricity is being funded and supplied to the schools we are building - this is the first time the community has had electricity.
In Uganda, the local authority are funding the teacher training and salaries.
Q. How is Costa marketing this activity?
A.
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Customer leaflets
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Website
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In-store point-of-sale
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Sale of products
Q. How many stores do you have?
A.
We currently have over 650 stores in the UK.