Helping people give to local causes
Community foundations work with individuals and families to build up long-term, sustainable endowment funding that will benefit causes in their local area for years to come
The importance of local philanthropy
Philanthropy and giving come in many different forms – deciding which causes to support and how to do that is a very personal decision. To quote the Association of Charitable Foundations:
‘Independent charitable foundations - at their best - provide an efficient, transparent and intentional way of irrevocably transforming private wealth into public benefit.’
Community foundations are therefore natural partners for local people who are keen to give back to the places in which they have lived and worked, and support causes they are passionate about. Our accredited members support this philanthropic journey, enabling donors to maximise their giving and providing expert knowledge of the needs in their local region.
Why partner with UK Community Foundations
ManHealth, supported by the County Durham Community Foundation
Why partner with a community foundation to give locally?
Our members are experts on their local area. They undertake research into areas of need and the issues communities experience. They carry out due diligence checks to ensure that resources are being managed effectively and report on impact and outcomes. As a donor you can be as involved as you wish and by setting up a named fund through a community foundation, it’s possible to experience the benefits of establishing your own charitable trust without the associated costs and administration. This is one of the options outlined by The Charity Commission for people who are considering whether to set up a new charity Check if a new charity is the best option - GOV.UK. By working with a community foundation you will be joining a team of people who are passionate about serving the local area and making connections that improve lives.
“I was a little sceptical at first, as I didn’t want our family trust to lose its identity; I wanted [the fund] to continue in the way that we had set it up and to retain some involvement in where the money was spent. To my relief, when I discussed my concerns with the foundation, I discovered that they were as keen as I was to ensure that the fund stayed true to its purpose and that I could remain as involved as I wanted.”
A donor who transferred a charitable fund in her father’s name to Essex Community Foundation
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Starting your giving journey
Your local community foundation will be able to support you in your decision making and talk you through different giving options: setting up your own fund or contributing to existing funds. Your local community foundation will invest your funds on your behalf, in order to maximise the income available to give to these important causes. If you are keen for your giving to have an impact in several geographical areas, the team at UKCF can work with you to make connections and co-ordinate across the country.
As we recover from the pandemic, local philanthropy has never been more important, and our network stands ready to work with people who want to help their communities recover, build resilience and plan for the future.
Denbigh Workshop, supported by Community Foundation Wales
Delivering the nationwide Coronavirus Appeal
We worked with the National Emergencies Trust during and after the Covid-19 pandemic as their main distribution partner, supporting over 13,000 charitable organisations with over £76 million.
Barclays
Delivering vital Covid-19 support in the communities where we live and work
Improving digital inclusion with Cellnex UK
Cellnex UK is working with us to help local charities and community organisations to innovate digital solutions and bridge the digital divide in rural and urban areas around the UK.
Original Cottages
Helping holidaymakers give back to the communities that welcome them
Want help supporting your local communities?
If you are looking to support charities in your local area, you will probably have thoughts about the causes that matter most to you. Our team can help you and support you in the decision making process: partnerships@ukcommunityfoundations.org
UK Community Foundations is a registered charity in England and Wales. Registered company in England and Wales . Registered address: UK Community Foundations, Northgate Business Centre, 38-40 Northgate, Newark, NG24 1EZ. Registered company no. 2651777 | Registered charity no. 1004630. Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved.