AJ Bell has launched a charitable initiative aimed at helping disadvantaged people access opportunities called the AJ Bell Futures Foundation.
It is being rolled out with two partners in place already; Smart Works and IntoUniversity.
The investment platform will initially contribute 0.5% of its profit before tax to the foundation each year, and staff will be given time to volunteer for the organisations it supports.
A core aim of the initiative is to help people develop skills and build experience that can help them achieve a more positive future.
The primary focus will be people from disadvantaged or challenging backgrounds in AJ Bell's local communities of Manchester, Bristol and London.
The charity will seek to create opportunities for them to progress in life and ultimately become financially secure and prosperous.
Smart Works aims to help marginalised women break cycles of rejection and deprivation that can result from unemployment.
IntoUniversity supports young people facing disadvantages and barriers to success to build their capabilities and access opportunities.
Both charities will receive an annual donation of £100,000 for the next two years.
AJ Bell chief executive (CEO) Michael Summersgill said: "As a company, we've always supported charitable activities close to our hearts. The AJ Bell Futures Foundation is about taking that one step further.
"Through the foundation, we will focus on our local communities and initiatives centred around self-advancement, areas where we believe we can make a real difference.
"This is far more than a financial donation, for us this is about making a meaningful and sustained effort to support our communities by also providing the time and resources of our staff to deliver practical resources and value to the organisations we partner with."
"Smart Works is honoured to have been chosen as one of the AJ Bell Future Foundation's charity partners, and we share a joint commitment to helping women to thrive,' said Smart Works CEO Kate Stephens.
"Demand for our service has risen sharply following the pandemic and current cost of living crisis. As Smart Works enters its tenth year, we are working to double the number of women we help across the UK to 10,000, and the generous support of AJ Bell will help make that possible."
IntoUniversity CEO Rachel Carr added: "IntoUniversity is very proud to be partnering with the AJ Bell Futures Foundation.
"This fantastic partnership will provide exciting new insights and opportunities for thousands of young people from across the UK to help them build their capabilities and realise their potential."
Alex Sebastian is a freelance journalist
