The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation was established in 1981 by brothers Gordon and Ian Baxter together with their wives, Ena and Margaret. The origins of the family business, W A Baxter & Sons Ltd, stretch back to 1868 when Gordon and Ian’s grandfather, George, opened a grocery shop in the village of Fochabers, Moray.

Today the success of the Baxters brand is worldwide with manufacturing operations in Scotland, England, Poland, Australia & USA.

In 2013, following the death of his grandfather, Mr Gordon Baxter CBE DL, James Baxter was nominated by fellow Trustees to become Chairman of the Foundation. James Baxter is committed to continuing his family’s tradition of providing funding assistance to those who are making a positive difference to the lives of the people in their communities.

The purpose of the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation is to ensure that the family can continue to extend the past support given to the Fochabers and district communities. The family wanted to give something back to the people who helped lay the foundations of their successful family enterprise.

“Be Different. Be Better.”

These are the words of George Baxter, which have come to stand for the quality and innovation which defines Baxters.

25 year old George had been working as a gardener on the Gordon Castle Estate when he decided to start his own grocery business. When George’s son William built a factory exactly 120 yards from the River Spey in 1916, the family business turned from selling groceries to making them.

 

Going global

In the 1940s, Gordon Baxter got involved in the family business and, together with his exceptionally creative wife, Ena, they helped build a company that George Baxter could never have dreamed of – an international food production operation with Royal Warrants from HM Queen Elizabeth II, HM King Gustav VI of Sweden, and HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

Ena – a talented artist – brought her significant creative abilities to bear on the company’s produce and branding, while Gordon used his considerable business talent and passion for quality to make Baxters the household name it is today.

WHAT WE FUND

 

The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation supports a huge variety of projects. Generally, applicants should demonstrate a sound management plan and a clear benefit to communities in the North of Scotland. 

Education and training

To assist educational and training initiatives which broaden horizons, promote responsibility and generally increase access or opportunity for young people.

 

Health

To support medical projects and promote good health practice, including healthy living and nutrition, good food making skills including Scots culinary traditions.

Care

To promote good citizenship and support the improvement and enjoyment of social and community welfare, from the very young to the elderly, the disabled and those in vulnerable and deprived situations.

Sports

To support amateur sporting activity, in particular those activities which encourage positive youth development.

 

Arts and heritage

To promote and support arts and heritage to widen opportunity, access and participation for all in these fields.

 

Conservation and the environment

To promote the conservation and preservation of our natural environment.

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