UK Community Foundations

Background

UK Community Foundations (UKCF) is the national membership and support organisation for the 47 accredited community foundations in the UK. It is the fourth largest funder in the UK.

UKCF's vision is for every community across the UK to have access to an agile community foundation focused on identifying local need and helping communities to thrive. This support is provided through vibrant local philanthropy, sustainable charitable funding and local partnerships.

UKCF also work with partners to distribute large national programmes that can filter through multiple community foundations at a time, delivering widescale philanthropy at a local level.

Objectives of Fund

The broad purpose of UK Community Foundations is to promote and support local charitable and community activity. This is achieved through managing donor funds, building endowments and making grants to charities and community groups. Community foundations are created by and for local people.

Value Notes

Each community foundation has its own grant-making policy and may administer funds on behalf of other agencies. Levels of grant assistance, therefore, vary greatly.

Who Can Apply

Local voluntary, community and charitable groups may apply whilst some community foundations have funds for individuals. Each has its own grant-making policy, criteria and timescales.

Applications from national charities may be accepted if the proposed project is firmly rooted in the local area.

Restrictions

Each community foundation is specific to its region and the categories of support vary, although there tend to be some factors in common in the definition of what they do not expect to support. They are unlikely, for example, to donate to major capital appeals or to consider standard appeal letters. Most would rule out projects and services with an exclusively religious purpose. They also refuse to support any work with a party political content.

Potential applicants are advised to contact the relevant community foundation directly for further information.

Eligible Expenditure

All UK Community Foundations members subscribe to common interests and share a vision about community-based philanthropy.

Community foundations can meet all areas of community need, including but not limited to:

• Arts and culture.
• Education.
• Environment.
• Health.
• Community development.
• Children and young people.
• Older people.
• Employment and training.

Within this broad framework, there is variation between foundations. Some have criteria with a focus on social need and opportunity, while others have more specific themes.

How To Apply

Each of the 47 community foundations has its own grant-making timetables, and the various funds administered by UK Community Foundations often have different application deadlines.

Applications should be made to the respective local community foundation. Details of local community foundations can be found on the UK Community Foundation's website.

Potential applicants should contact their local community foundation for further information.