Permira in the community

In 2021, The Permira Foundation supported more than 100 charities working across education, poverty, health, social inclusion and emergency relief in Europe, the USA and Asia.

“It is an exciting time for The Permira Foundation as we build on what we’ve learned over the past two years to further amplify the skills and generosity of Permirans and make a meaningful and targeted difference where it matters – side-by-side with our amazing charity partners.”

Olivia Reeves,
Permira Foundation Director

The charities supported by The Permira Foundation are all nominated by Permira colleagues, meaning we are more likely to address challenges that matter to Permirans and their families at a local level. Our teams are also closely involved by giving time – a total of approximately 7,500 hours in 2021 – and personal donations, which Permira matches 3:1. In 2020-21, more than €1 million was raised through matched giving³⁷.

Building skills and employability among young people from disadvantaged backgrounds remains a key focus. Since 2017, The Permira Foundation has supported the annual Summer Scholars programme in New York, in collaboration with Mind Matters and Opportunity Network. In 2021, this included a simulated Investment Committee experience in which students reviewed and selected the investment opportunities, learning from Permirans. In London, a Digital Insights Week welcomed young people from diverse backgrounds to develop critical skills, with support from Career Ready, SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) and Royal Springboard, among other charities.

As a joint initiative between Permira Partners and The Permira Foundation in 2020, the Permira Relief Fund provides aid in emergency situations around the world. In 2021, it disbursed grants to approximately 60 charities working across diverse challenges – from medical care, education and homelessness to food poverty, vulnerable children and domestic abuse.

A priority in 2021 remained the Covid-19 response, including funding almost 50,000 Covid tests to enable approximately 15 charities continue their vital work with vulnerable people or early-years education in the UK, Germany and Sweden. The Permira Relief Fund pivoted to build resilience among charities and social enterprises impacted by the pandemic. For instance, a philanthropic workshop brought together approximately 10 charities with 180 Permirans to problem-solve organisational challenges, while grant and pro bono giving supported the Social Business Trust’s Digital Impact Fund for social enterprises working across youth employment, social mobility and domestic abuse. 

Finally, the non-charitable arm of the Permira Relief Fund (which excludes The Permira Foundation) assisted portfolio companies and their employees who were acutely impacted by economic circumstances arising from the pandemic. The Employee Relief Fund for Cielo, one of the funds’ portfolio companies, awarded more than €71,000 to employees experiencing financial hardship due to their spouse/partner losing their job and/or incurring additional family support expenses due to Covid-19.