The national voice for local communities

We are the national membership organisation for accredited community foundations around the UK.

Our members bring together people and organisations wanting to make a positive difference to communities through place-based philanthropy. Collectively, our network has a presence in every part of the UK. 

accredited community foundations in the UK

£m+

distributed last year

k+

grants awarded in 2023

international accredited community foundations

  

  

This year...

 

'Foundations for the future:

Investing in communities'

  • How can we catalyse community philanthropy?
  • How can we re-imagine grant making?
  • What does the future hold for community investment?

This month, we joined experts from around the world in Harrogate, England, to explore these questions and many more at our ‘Foundations for the future: Investing in communities’ conference.

Our fantastic speakers, panels and delegates delved into philanthropy and government, future thinking, social innovation, public interest news, youth-led collaboration, re-imagined grant making, the future of the workplace, strategic philanthropy, funding social justice, AI in daily life, and so much more!  We also shared some exciting news...

Find out more here

  

  

  

  

Lady crouching down surrounded by food trays in car park

Here for the long term

UKCF has been the national membership for accredited community foundations for over 30 years.  Our mission is for every UK community to thrive with support from community foundations, known for their ability to identify local need and provide resources that empower positive change, through place-based philanthropy.

We support our community foundation members and the vital work they do by providing training, resources and advocacy of the aspirations of local communities at a national level.

We also manage innovative learning-focused programmes that filter through multiple community foundations, delivering widescale giving at a local level.

 

Learn more about us

  

  

What is a community foundation?

A community foundation connects people and organisations with local causes that matter to them.  It is a charitable grant-making organisation focused on supporting a defined geographical area.  It does this by building socially-focused endowments and generating funds to support individuals, voluntary groups and local organisations that make a difference.

Each accredited community foundation in our network has its own approach and focus, reflecting the region or nation it supports.  Learn about the types of causes our network has supported in the last year.

 

Look at our impact

Two women sitting talking with one looking at the camera4Wings, supported by the Community Foundation for Merseyside
Mix of people siting and standing drinking coffeeThe Rural Coffee Caravan, supported by Suffolk Community Foundation

Strengthening communities

Place-based funding is the common thread that unites community foundations. Our members are embedded in their place, understanding the challenges their diverse communities face and working tirelessly for better opportunities for all.

They pursue long-term change for their communities by identifying the local context, collaborating with others, applying multiple interventions, and constantly learning from and adapting to new circumstances.

Our network

Find your local community foundation

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Read our latest news

Our Impact

UKCF was established in December 1991. Today, it is the membership body for 47 accredited community foundations which collectively cover every postcode of the UK, including in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Learn more

Partner with us

Want to join our movement and support communities to thrive? Take a look at how our partnerships work. Learn more

Events

We often come together with our members and professionals from the wider field of philanthropy to share expertise and learn about the latest movements in social investment and philanthropy. Have a look at our latest events. Learn more

Key Partners

We are pleased to work closely with the following organisations