Community Foundations support local projects on a range of issues, such as poverty alleviation; emergency crisis response; and youth engagement. For example, nationally they have provided communities with a huge amount of support throughout the pandemic, by joining forces with National Emergencies Trust.
The network of accredited Community Foundations gives grants totalling over £98.3 million annually. This makes us one of the UK’s largest grant-giving organisations. But the need is growing and so must we.
The network consists of 47 Community Foundations who cover the whole of the United Kingdom and have an unparalleled reach into local communities. Each Community Foundation has an in-depth understanding of their local area, what the priority needs are and how best to address these issues. They are able to direct donors to fund causes that they are not only passionate about but that will make the most difference.
Community Foundations are the only way for local people to give right to the heart of their communities wherever they live across Britain. They address the widest possible range of issues and intervene in the hardest to reach communities.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations are a clear way for us to show how our grants make a difference. But they are so much more than that.
They help charities, communities, and institutions find common ground, work together and use resources wisely. Often, our grants will help progress more than one goal, allowing our supporters to understand the broader impact.
We’ve chosen to focus on five of the nine SDGs that best represent our grant making and ethos. When you support our work, you’re investing in something bigger – a global vision that starts with local, grassroots change. The goals keep us focused on outcomes that are good for everyone, and that build a sustainable future for generations to come.
County Durham Community Foundation