Internationally acclaimed and Holbeck-based independent brewery Northern Monk have launched the Northern Monk Foundation, dedicated to improving access to the outdoors for marginalised and under-resourced communities and continuing the successful work of its Faith In Futures programme.
Formerly the Faith in Futures Foundation, Northern Monk has donated £150,000 to community causes since 2020, supporting more than 20 charities and grassroots organisations. Now relaunched as the Northern Monk Foundation, the brewery brings its brand, mission and impact work together under one unified banner to ensure that the brewery’s charitable and community activity is a core part of everything that they do. Northern Monk will continue to partner with charitable organisations to fund trips, equipment and opportunities in order to help service users experience the proven benefits of time spent outdoors.
For too many people, access to green space isn’t a given and Northern Monk wants to change that. Where Faith in Futures donated £150,000 to a range of community causes, the Northern Monk Foundation will concentrate specifically on improving access to the outdoors for marginalised and under-resourced communities in order to have a tangible impact in a more focused space. The brewery’s ambition is to donate a total of £250,000 to community causes by the end of 2028, building on the £150,000 already raised.
Northern Monk will be launching a limited-edition Northern Monk Foundation beer next week to mark the occasion, with the proceeds from each can sold donated directly to the foundation in support of the first official project under the new mission.
This announcement follows a standout year for Northern Monk, with the brewery continuing to outperform the grocery market and adding three venues to their bar portfolio: Northern Monk Refectory York, The Hanging Bat in Edinburgh and Northern Monk at Darley Street Market in Bradford. Northern Monk has also announced the continuation of its official partnerships with The Great North Run and Total Warrior for 2026 and will also be continuing its long-running relationship with the iconic Three Peaks Race this year.
Russell Bisset, Founder of Northern Monk, said:
“It’s been a real privilege to support some amazing charities and grassroots organisations since 2019. The £150,000 we’ve donated to community projects to-date has helped to create meaningful change across the North and beyond, and we want to say a big thank you to everyone who’s supported our fundraising activity over the years.
“The Northern Monk Foundation allows us to build on that progress, not replace it. By bringing our brand, mission and impact initiatives together under one banner, we’re making our Foundation and community work a core part of everything that we do.
“We know the positive impact time spent outside can have on both physical and mental wellbeing. This next chapter is about creating opportunities, supporting the organisations already doing incredible work in this space, and playing our part in improving access to the outdoors, so more people can experience the benefits it can bring.”
This post is based on a press release issued by Northern Monk
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