Community Foundations (http://www.leedscf.org.uk/all-about-us/community-foundations/)
What is a Community Foundation?
Community Foundations make a difference by bringing together local philanthropists (who wish to give money to support their local community) with dynamic local organisations who need funding and other resources.
Community Foundations make a difference by bringing together local philanthropists (who wish to give money to support their local community) with dynamic local organisations who need funding and other resources.
Founded in the heart of local communities, each Community Foundation is unique, identifying local needs and mobilising local resources. We work with donors, large and small, to make sure their gift has the greatest impact. This distinctive and personalised approach to philanthropy means many different kinds of donors use community foundations to manage their funds – individuals, companies, charitable trusts and government agencies.
Local Help for Local Needs
The Community Foundation movement started in Ohio, USA in 1914 and was based on the concept of “local help for local needs.” Today there are 1,440 independent Community Foundations in over 50 countries across the globe.
The Community Foundation movement started in Ohio, USA in 1914 and was based on the concept of “local help for local needs.” Today there are 1,440 independent Community Foundations in over 50 countries across the globe.
The first Community Foundation in the UK was established in 1975 and today there are 58 independent foundations. The Community Foundation Network (CFN) is the national network linking, promoting and supporting community foundations throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Together, Community Foundations are one of the largest non-government grant-making bodies in the UK. In 2010-2011, the network awarded 26,000 grants worth a total of £62 million to local groups.
Leeds Community Foundation
The Leeds Community was registered as a charity and company limited by guarantee and was formally launched in 2005. Since then we have made incredible progress and are now ranked 2nd in the scope of our annual grant-making and 5th for our endowment, of all the UK-based Community Foundations.
To date, we have delivered over £15 million in grants to local groups, representing over 1,700 projects that have touched the lives of well over 100,000 people. We are very proud of our success in such a short period of time, made possible only through the support of our staff, volunteers and supporters.
We are an entirely independent organisation and, although we maintain close links with Leeds City Council and other statutory partners, we don’t receive any core funding from them nor do they control or direct any of our activities.
Who runs the Leeds Community Foundation?
An independent board of Directors / Trustees, elected from the local private, statutory and voluntary sector, are legally and financially responsible for the Foundation. The day-to-day management of the Foundation comes under the responsibility of the Chief Executive.
An independent board of Directors / Trustees, elected from the local private, statutory and voluntary sector, are legally and financially responsible for the Foundation. The day-to-day management of the Foundation comes under the responsibility of the Chief Executive.
How do you know what are the real Needs in Leeds?
Local knowledge is a key part of our expertise. We are constantly looking at ways of refreshing and updating our knowledge about Leeds and how it is growing. At a practical level, we work closely with all the groups we provide grants for to understand both their needs and the needs of their communities. In addition, our staff sit on a number of strategic committees involving statutory and third sector partners in Leeds. We keep informed about current research written by organisations such as Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Young Foundation, among others, as well as on statistical and census information about how Leeds is changing. Often, we contribute to research on the sector and we conduct our own research as well.
Local knowledge is a key part of our expertise. We are constantly looking at ways of refreshing and updating our knowledge about Leeds and how it is growing. At a practical level, we work closely with all the groups we provide grants for to understand both their needs and the needs of their communities. In addition, our staff sit on a number of strategic committees involving statutory and third sector partners in Leeds. We keep informed about current research written by organisations such as Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Young Foundation, among others, as well as on statistical and census information about how Leeds is changing. Often, we contribute to research on the sector and we conduct our own research as well.
Where can I find more information on Community Foundations?
Go to the Community Foundation Network website to find out more about the Community Foundations in the UK (www.communityfoundations.org.uk)
Go to the Community Foundation Network website to find out more about the Community Foundations in the UK (www.communityfoundations.org.uk)
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