Publications

This independent evaluation of our #iwill Fund, completed by inFocus, explores several key findings from its assessment of youth-led social action initiatives, revealing how projects successfully increased young people's confidence, skills, and community engagement. 

The report also identifies areas for improvement, including ensuring equitable access for marginalised groups and sustaining momentum after funding ends. 

Philanthropy 2023 highlights the determination of UK communities to overcome the financial crisis and address the root causes of social inequity through local philanthropic action.

It also illustrates the merit of convening different bodies of society to develop philanthropic opportunities that explore and tackle areas of inequality and climate change. 

We first partnered with the #iwill Fund, part of the wider #iwill movement, back in 2015.

A lot has changed in society since then, but the work of change-making young people taking part in youth social action has continued to benefit communities all over the country. As part of #iwill Week, we've taken a look at the impact of youth social action in our communities and the benefits it provides to those involved.

The report looks at how the Dormant Assets Scheme could be the catalyst for growing community philanthropy in the UK. By looking at the work of the UK’s 47 community foundations through the lens of the Levelling Up agenda, it explains how community philanthropy is already playing an important role in tackling regional inequality and looks at some of the ways that it can be grown to help build the resilience of communities.

In 2019, UKCF delivered a round of the #iwill Fund in partnership with DCMS and The National Lottery Community Fund, which sought to make social action a part of everyday life for as many 10-20 year olds as possible by 2020.  An in-depth independent learning evaluation report was carried out by inFocus after the programme ended.

This report looks at how the place-based community foundation model aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By thinking globally and acting locally, the report shows how funding local charities and community organisations can plays a key role in helping to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

This report examines the impact of the pandemic on local Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations (VCSOs) and the communities they are based in. It looks at the practical steps that funders can take to ensure that their grant-making is responsive, effective and inclusive to local VCSOs. It also showcases some of the innovative work happening in the community foundation network.

This snapshot report looks at how community foundations responded to the coronavirus pandemic. It examines why the community foundation model made it possible to distribute thousands of emergency grants to local charities and organisations that were at the forefront of the community-led response to the pandemic.

Authored by Dr Catherine Walker, The value and impact of the UK Community Foundation network looks at how the 46 accredited community foundations operate and examines how they strengthen communities across the country.

The Philanthropy Advice Competency Framework was first produced by CASS Business School as part of the legacy of UKCF’s 2012-2014 Philanthropy Fellowship Programme. Reviewed by a steering group of Community Foundation colleagues and now on its 3rd edition, this framework supports organisations and individuals working in community philanthropy advice and leadership to develop their skills, detailing key competencies and related resources to support good practice.

The £3.5m programme was funded by Spirit of 2012 which saw 14 communities selected to receive funding to increase community participation and improve wellbeing as part of the legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The final evaluation was produced by Wavehill.

Published in 2019, Vital Signs and the UK Voluntary Sector brings together research from Community Foundations from 2013-2017, including funding data, statistics and first-hand interviews. The report was made possible by a grant from The Goldsmiths Company Charity.

This guide outlines a simple service that could see hundreds of inactive charitable funds reactivated to support communities.

It has been developed by UK Community Foundations in partnership with the Charity Commission, and is supported by the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport, the Local Government Association, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and CCLA.

Rocket Science UK Ltd were commissioned by UKCF in January 2018 to carry out a survey of the 44 Community Foundations in England that participated in the Community First programme. Community First was an England-wide initiative which launched in 2011 and it closed at the end of March 2015. Community First allowed Community Foundations to offer donors a 50% uplift on their endowment donations through government match funding.

Donor advised funds and trusts are becoming an increasingly popular way of giving in the UK. This joint report from Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) and UKCF helps community foundations unpick the terminology and increase their understanding about how they can be used, as well as looking at the potential for growth.