Community foundations
By Stephen Hammersley, Chief Executive, UK Community Foundations from 2004-2014
Highlights
- Community foundations provide grant-making and administrative support and provide philanthropic advice to donors wishing to give locally.
- Community foundations’ funds are tax-efficient, cost effective and high impact.In 2013-14 community foundations in the UK supported over 2,000 clients who have made grants of over £65m to more than 21,000 charities and community groups. Community foundations offer a variety of fund types to suit the donor’s own interests and financial situation.
- Our goal is to help our clients become more effective in building thriving communities through their philanthropy.
UK Community Foundations: Unique Features
- Expertise – community foundations’ unparalleled insight into community needs, supported by their intimate local knowledge and access to contacts and relationships.
- Connecting - our ability to integrate our donors into the very ‘fabric’ of their local communities, helping them become civic partners and champions.
- Precision - matching our donor resources and interests to specific community opportunities, so their contribution is more meaningful, enjoyable and ‘beyond financial’.
- Investment-focus - whilst we act in the present, we focus on the future, taking a long-term view on our investments and supporting projects with sustainable impact
- Results-driven - we are credible, reputable stewards of local resources, achieving our objectives, and being accountable, transparent, flexible and practical.
- Leadership - our diverse knowledge and experience can be harnessed to create new ways of working, as well as strengthening existing work.
Case study: Leeds Community Foundation
William Alexander is an IT and Business Change Recruitment Consultancy, based in Hove. Established in 2010, they are continuing to grow year on year. William Alexander decided early on that they would like to be involved with local charitable giving and chose Sussex Community Foundation to enable this. They have set up an annual fund of £10,000 to make grants twice a year within Brighton & Hove to support causes close to their hearts. “This was always something we hoped to do. Fortunately, we are now in a position to be able to, with the help of Sussex Community Foundation,” says Director, Will Larcombe. “All of the employees at William Alexander live in the area and so are keen to give locally to smaller charities and groups where their ‘help can make a real difference’,” says Resourcer, Kate Hislop.
Next steps
You can find your local community foundation by going to the UK Community Foundations’ (UKCF) website for contact details and a web link to each UK community foundation. Community foundation staff will provide personalised advice and information on organisations working locally.
About the Author
Glossary: community foundation