The Bath Percent Club, which encourages city businesses to donate at least 1% of their profits to local good causes, has been launched with more than 50 firms as founding members.
The club is based on an idea by the late Bath self-made businessman and philanthropist Brian Roper, who over two decades donated an estimated £6m to local charities and not-for-profit organisations. 
As the founder of Bath specialist bathroom furniture firm Roper Rhodes, he committed 3% of its profits every year to good causes. Now, a year after his death aged 76, the Bath Percent Club plans to take the idea into the business mainstream in the city and further afield.
Among those helping launch the club was Trevor Osborne, of Bath property development firm Osborne Group.
Trevor, a member of the club’s steering committee, said: “Brian Roper was a man who gave consistently to Bath and the local area, both financially and of himself.
“His loss is keenly felt. He was always interested in the idea of giving on an ongoing basis, and the Bath Percent Club is a good way to remember him and to honour his life.”
Firms can commit to donate 1% of their profits in money, time or in kind, he said.
Among the founding members are Handelsbanken, the Framing Workshop, Wessex Water, Zenith International and Osborne Group.
The club will not handle the funds itself nor dictate where they go. Each member business determines where it wishes to make its contribution to encourage close relationships between businesses and their charities of choice.
“Existing charitable arrangements or a history of giving means that businesses are members by default – this is not a badge for new initiatives,” added Mr Osborne. “Any organisation who already gives can sign up straight away as a member.”
The Bath Percent Club will also work with partners, such as St John’s Hospital, Localgiving, Quartet and Neighbourly, to allow donations to flow easily, with minimal administrative cost, for gifts and for matched funding.
St John’s chief executive Sue Porto said: “We are delighted to support the Bath Percent Club as it encourages the philanthropic culture for which Bath is already well known.
“Despite this being a wealthy city, there are still so many who need our help. We hope that all current benefactors join, and that many more businesses are motivated to sign up.”
Trevor Osborne continued: “The Bath Percent Club will build on the existing philanthropic culture of the city. Its impact will change the way that businesses are viewed as they are recognised both collectively and individually for their contribution towards enhancing local lives. The community will flourish with the generous face of commerce turned towards its needs. We hope that all like-minded businesses in Bath will join us.”
The visual identity for club was created by Bath-based branding agency The House, which has a strong commitment to building purpose-led businesses and organisations
The House has created a ‘badge of membership’ that participating businesses can use on their stationary, websites and emails to promote their involvement and to spread the word about the initiative. The agency also designed the club’s website and newsletter.
The House creative head Steve Fuller said: “We fundamentally believe that business can be a force for good. Joining the Percent Club is a simple step that will help Bath businesses inspire real change in the local community by donating money, time and in-kind contributions. We’ve created a visual identity that neatly communicates the Percent Club’s purpose and will help build a movement around business charitable giving in Bath.”
The House’s work for Percent Club is the latest in a string of pro bono projects for local organisations that promote good, including Bath Rugby Foundation, Julian House, the Public Services Board and the Special Olympics.
